(A) Complaints or orders issued by the Code Enforcement Official under this subchapter shall be served upon persons either personally or by registered or certified mail, and, in conjunction therewith, may be served by regular mail. When the manner or service is by regular mail in conjunction with registered or certified mail, and the registered or certified mail is unclaimed or refused, but the regular mail is not returned by the post office within 10 days after mailing, service shall be deemed sufficient. The person mailing the complaint or order by regular mail shall certify that fact and the date thereof, and such certificate shall be conclusive in the absence of fraud. If regular mail is used, a notice of the pending proceedings shall be posted in a conspicuous place on the premises thereby affected.
(B) If the identities of any owner or the whereabouts of persons are unknown and cannot be ascertained by the Code Enforcement Official in the exercise of reasonable diligence, and the Code Enforcement Official makes an affidavit to that effect, then the serving of the complaint or order upon the unknown 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 the provisions of this subchapter. When service is made by publication, a notice of the pending proceedings shall be posted in a conspicuous place on the premises thereby affected.
(Ord. 16-163, passed 5-17-2016) Penalty, see § 152A.097