A petition may be filed by the county officer, by a county authority or by at least five residents of the county. The petition shall be filed with the county officer and shall allege that a sidewalk is unfit or unsafe due to deterioration, disrepair or damage. After the filing of the petition, the county officer shall inspect the sidewalk. If inspection discloses a basis for the allegations in the petition, the county officer shall issue and cause to be served upon the owner and parties of interest a complaint stating the basis of the complaint and a notice of hearing. The notice of hearing shall fix a time and place for the hearing which shall be held not less than 10 nor more than 30 days after service of the complaint. The complaint shall inform the owners and parties in interest of their right to file an answer to the complaint and to appear in person or otherwise and to give testimony at the time and placement in the notice and shall also state that the rules of evidence prevailing in courts of law and/or equity shall not be controlling in a hearing before the county officer.
(Ord. 620.7, passed 3-8-88)