Condemned property

A condemned property or a condemned building is a property or building that local (usually municipal) authorities have closed, seized, or placed restrictions on for various reasons, including public safety and public health, in accordance with local ordinance.

In most cities, condemned properties are usually buildings that are extremely dilapidated, damaged or deteriorated, so that they are likely to collapse or become an unattractive nuisance or urban blight.

[2] They are typically in violation of other code requirements that make it dangerous to occupants or the public.

[3] Food storage premises within the municipality that are deemed non-rat-proof have also historically been candidates for condemnation.

[3] Municipalities of Cumberland, Maryland, were given the power to condemn and seize insanitary buildings in 1915.

Condemned building after being damaged by Hurricane Sandy
Built in 1895, the Cobb & Bradley Building in Cleveland was condemned in 2004 after years of neglect and razed by the city in 2009.