§ 18-10. Standards for securing building.

(a)

The boarding of the doors, windows or other openings of any building or structure or any means of securing such openings, other than by the conventional method used in the original construction and design of the building or structure, shall comply with the following minimum standards:

(1)

Windows and similar openings shall be boarded with one (1) continuous piece of pressure treated or exterior grade plywood of a minimum thickness of five-eighths ( 5/8 ) inch nominal or its equivalent. A minimum of six and one-half (6½) inch vent holes are required. The plywood shall be secured in place by two (2) two-inch by four-inch horizontal cross-members, on the interior and two (2) two-inch by four-inch vertical bracing on the exterior, cross-members and bracing shall be secured to the plywood by three-eighths ( 3/8 ) inch plated carriage bolts with fender washers at each end threaded to the correct length to penetrate the exterior bracing, the plywood, and the interior cross-members and shall be installed a minimum of two (2) inches and a maximum of four (4) inches from the side edges of the opening. The bolts must be tightened enough to slightly deflect the wood. The bolts shall sit flush against the exterior bracing to prevent the use of any tool for prying or removal of the plywood. A minimum of four (4) carriage bolts, two (2) crossmembers, and two (2) exterior braces shall be used on each window and, depending on the size of the opening, additional bolts, cross-members or braces may be required. Each cross-member shall be a continuous piece of lumber, and each must extend at least one (1) foot past the window opening in each direction.

(2)

Exterior doors shall be boarded with one (1) continuous piece of pressure treated or exterior grade plywood of a minimum thickness of five-eighths ( 5/8 ) inch nominal or its equivalent, fitted to the entry door jamb with maximum one-eighth ( 1/8 ) inch clearance for each edge. The existing door should be removed and stored inside the building. The plywood shall be secured in place by three (3) two-inch by four-inch wooden horizontal cross-members on the interior and two (2) two-inch by four-inch vertical bracing on the exterior. Cross-members and bracing shall be secured to the plywood by three-eighths ( 3/8 ) inch plated carriage bolts with fender washers at each end threaded to the correct length to penetrate the exterior bracing, the plywood, and the interior cross-members and shall be installed a minimum of two (2) inches and a maximum of four (4) inches from the side edges of the opening. The bolts must be tightened enough to slightly deflect the wood. Bolt heads must fit tightly against the wood. The bolts shall sit flush against the exterior bracing to prevent the use of any tool for prying or removal of the plywood. A minimum of six (6) carriage bolts, three (3) cross-members, and two (2) exterior braces shall be used on each door and, depending on the size of the opening, additional bolts, cross-members or braces may be required. On at least one (1) entry door, the plywood shall be attached to the door entry with three (3) case hardened strap hinges of the types specified by the sustainable development department. On all other doors the cross-members must extend at least one (1) foot past the door opening in each direction. Where there is no door jamb, a wood frame shall be installed in the opening for purposes of securing the plywood and cross-members. The wood frame shall be constructed with two-inch by four-inch pressure treated lumber and shall be anchored with one-quarter (¼) inch tapcon or woodscrew with a minimum one and one-half (1½) inch embedment.

(3)

Painting of boarded openings: All boarded openings shall be painted with a minimum of one (1) coat of exterior paint which is of a color compatible with the exterior color of the building or structure.

(4)

Alternative methods of securing a building: Upon application for a board up permit the sustainable development department of the City of Fort Lauderdale may approve alternative methods of securing a vacant and unoccupied building or structure when the requirements of subsections (1), (2) and (3) can not be met. In making the determination to approve any alternative method, the city shall consider the aesthetic and other impacts of such method on the immediate neighborhood and the extent to which such method provides adequate and long-term security against the unauthorized entry to the property.

( Ord. No. C-09-18, § 2, 7-7-09 ; Ord. No. C-17-28 , §§ 96, 97, 9-13-17)