Boarded buildings

Common reasons for boarding

• The City boards vacant buildings to keep them secure.
• The owner may choose to board an unoccupied building.
• The Police may board a building after a raid or fire.

Vacant and open to trespass

If a building is found vacant and open to trespass:

• We issue an order to secure the building within six days.
• We inspect the building's exterior for code violations and issue orders to correct.
• You must address the violations listed in the order to correct by their due dates. Typically, 30 days is the amount of time you have to correct them. 

Unsecured after the due date

We reinspect the building after the due date. If the building is still unsecured and open to trespass:

• We have a contractor board unsecured openings with plywood.
• If the building meets the criteria, we'll place it on the Vacant Building Registry. 
• We continue to monitor the property to ensure it remains secure and free of nuisance issues. 

We may use metal mesh at any point if the City finds it necessary.

Unsecured for the second time

If we find that the building becomes open to trespass after it was first boarded, a contractor will:

• Resecure any breached openings with plywood and metal mesh.
• Secure any other first-floor openings with plywood.
• Secure accessible openings above the first floor.

Unsecured for the third time

If the building becomes open to trespass again, a contractor will secure:

• All accessible entry points at or above grade with plywood and metal mesh.