Bisbee cracking down on hazardous buildings

TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) - Bisbee is cracking down on eyesores and fire hazards in its city limits.

Owners of abandoned or vacant buildings in the city could be faced with hundreds of dollars in fees per day until the problem is solved.

According to the city, around 450 buildings in Bisbee are vacant or abandoned. City planner Melissa Hartman said many pose safety risks.

“They’re dangerous, there’s no floors, there’s no roof, they’re half-collapsed, the weeds are up past the windows,” Hartman said.

Hartman gets at least one complaint a week about unsafe buildings or squatting. Now, the city is going to know who owns those problem spots through mandatory registration.

“We have a list of who owns,” Hartman said. “We’re asking for some responsibility on this vacant and abandoned house.”