Under what condition shall the Building Official order a building's repair, relocation, or demolition?

The choice regarding the Building Official ordering a building's repair, relocation, or demolition is primarily associated with a "ruinous condition." This term refers to situations where a building is in severe disrepair or danger of collapse, posing a risk to public safety. When a structure reaches this state, the integrity of the building may be compromised, and it can become unsafe for occupancy or could potentially harm nearby structures or individuals. The Building Official, responsible for ensuring safety and adherence to building codes, has the authority to intervene in these circumstances to protect public welfare.

While other conditions such as obsolete, hazardous, or non-compliance may warrant attention or corrective actions, they do not inherently suggest an immediate threat to safety in the same way a ruinous condition does. Obsolete conditions may signify that a building is outdated, hazardous conditions often relate to things that could cause harm but may not necessarily make a structure non-functional, and non-compliance refers to failure to meet certain regulations which might not always indicate unsafe conditions. In contrast, a ruinous condition directly relates to the structural failure and urgency of intervention to prevent imminent danger.