As provided by G.S. § 160A-443, whenever it is petitioned to the Housing Administrator by a public authority, by at least five residents of the town, or when it appears to the Housing Administrator (on his or her own motion) that any dwelling is unfit for human habitation, the Housing Administrator shall, if his or her preliminary investigation discloses a basis for the charges, issue and cause to be served upon the owner of and parties in interest in the dwellings a complaint stating the charges in that respect and containing a notice that a hearing will be held before the Housing Administrator. The hearing will be held before the Housing Administrator (or designated agent) at a place within the corporate limits of the town, therein fixed not less than ten days nor more than 30 days after serving the complaint. The owner and parties in interest shall be given the right to file an answer to the complaint and to appear in person, or otherwise, and give testimony at the place and time fixed in the complaint. The rules of evidence prevailing in courts of law and equity shall not be controlling before the Housing Administrator.
(Ord. passed - -2007)