(a) Complaints or orders issued by the inspector shall be served upon persons either personally or by registered or certified mail. When service is made by registered or certified mail, a copy of the complaint or order may also be sent by regular mail. Service shall be deemed sufficient if the registered or certified mail is unclaimed or refused, but the regular mail is not returned by the post office within 10 days after the mailing. If regular mail is used, a notice of the pending proceedings shall be posted in a conspicuous place on the premises affected.
(b) If the identities of any owners or the whereabouts of persons are unknown and cannot be ascertained by the inspector in the exercise of reasonable diligence, or, if the owners are known but have refused to accept service by registered or certified mail, and the inspector makes an affidavit to that effect, then the serving of the complaint or order upon the owners or other persons may be made by publication in a newspaper having general circulation in the town at least once no later than the time at which personal service would be required under these provisions. When service is made by publication, a notice of the pending proceedings shall be posted in a conspicuous place on the premises affected by the complaint or order.
(Code 1982, § 5-216; Ord. No. 96-012, 11-14-1996; Ord. No. 05-003, 2-24-2005; Ord. No. 2021-Code-02, 6-24-2021)
State law reference—Similar provisions, G.S. 160D-1206(b).