(a) Whenever complaint is made to the Building Inspector of the existence of a public nuisance in the City, he shall promptly cause to be inspected the premises on which it is alleged such public nuisance exists. Should the Building Inspector find that a public nuisance may exist and that the public health, safety or welfare may be in immediate danger, he shall promptly notify the Director of Public Safety and the Fire Chief. The Director, if he has not already done so, and the Chief, if he has not already done so, shall cause to be inspected the premises on which it is alleged such public nuisance exists. Written reports of the inspections and of the findings of the Director and the Chief, with respect to the existence of a public nuisance, and any immediate danger to the public health, safety and welfare, shall be filed with the Building Inspector. Should any one or more of the aforesaid officers find that a public nuisance exists and that the nature thereof is such as to require its summary abatement, it shall be the duty of the Building Inspector to cause photographs of such nuisance to be made and to file and keep in his office the written reports of the findings of the aforesaid officials. The Building Inspector shall then determine the person who, from the records in the County Auditor's office, appears to be the titled owner of the aforesaid property and immediately cause a written notice to be served on such person, either personally or by leaving a copy at the usual place of residence or business of such person, or at the address of such owner shown in such County Auditor's records, or by mailing a copy to such owner at such place or address by United States certified mail, return receipt requested. If service of the written notice is unable to be perfected by any of the hereinbefore described methods, then the Building Inspector shall cause a copy of the notice to be left with the person, if any, in possession of the premises on which it is alleged such public nuisance exists, or, if there is no person in possession thereof, he shall cause a copy of the notice to be posted on the premises. The aforesaid notice shall state, in brief, the findings with respect to the existence of a public nuisance by any one or more of the aforesaid officers and shall further state that unless the owner thereof causes the abatement of the public nuisance within twenty-four hours after service of the notice, the same shall be abated by the City at the expense of the owner, in addition to the penalty provided in Section 531.09(b).
(b) Any act, inspection or finding required to be carried out by any public official named in this section and Section 531.03 may be carried out by any of their subordinates, assigned or directed by such officials to carry out such functions.
(Ord. 1968-71. Passed 11-25-68.)