(A) The Building Inspector shall condemn as unfit for human use, any nonresidential structure or portion thereof which:
(1) Is in such condition as to be damaged, decayed, dilapidated, unsanitary, unheatable, unsafe, or vermin infested that it is liable to be an immediate danger to the lives of persons;
(2) By reason of the lack of illumination, ventilation, or sanitary facilities, it is in such condition and liable to be an immediate danger to the lives of persons;
(3) By reason of its general condition it is liable to be dangerous to the lives of persons.
(B) Notice. Whenever the Building Inspector has condemned a nonresidential structure or a part thereof as unfit for human use, he shall immediately give notice to the owner thereof of such determination and of his intention to placard as unfit for human use such structure or part thereof. Such notice shall contain a statement informing the owner and user of the right to appeal the determination of the Building Inspector within seven days after the notice is served.
(C) Service of notice. The service of notice shall be made by:
(1) The posting of a copy upon the nonresidential structure; and
(2) By causing the notice to be delivered to such owner;
(3) If the owner is not found, then by leaving a copy at his usual place of abode, with a member of his family over the age of 15;
(4) If service pursuant to divisions (C) (2) and (3) cannot be had, then by sending a copy of the notice by registered letter, return receipt requested to the last known address; or
(5) Service of notice pursuant to division (C) (1) and (4) shall be deemed to have been made 24 hours after the posting and mailing thereof, respectively.
(D) Right of appeal. Any owner or occupant of a nonresidential structure or part thereof determined by the Building Inspector to be unfit for human use may file in the office of the Building Inspector a written appeal to the Board of Zoning Appeals requesting a hearing and setting forth a statement of the grounds within seven days after service of the notice herein provided. The filing of an appeal shall act as a stay and the Building Inspector shall not proceed to placard until such hearing shall be completed.
(E) Placarding.
(1) In the event no appeal has been taken within the seven-day period or after a final determination upon review upholding the determination of the Building Inspector, then there shall be posted in a conspicuous place upon the structure or portion thereof a placard or placards bearing the following words:
"Condemned as unfit for human use."
(2) After such placarding, the structure or portion thereof shall be vacated within a time as determined by said Inspector.
(F) No person shall occupy, enter, refuse to leave, or remain in a nonresidential structure or portion thereof which is placarded except persons directly employed in securing or removing such condemned structure or portion thereof.
(G) Remedy at owner's expense. If an owner fails to comply with the provisions of this chapter then the Building Inspector may take such action as may be necessary to remedy the conditions, at the expense of the owner of the structure. The Building Inspector shall submit bills for the cost thereof to the owner of the structure, and if these bills are not paid, the Building Inspector shall certify the amount due to the County Auditor and special tax bills shall be issued thereon. These taxes shall be a lien against the property where the work has been done.
(H) Bids to be secured. The Building Inspector shall secure three bids from three reputable contractors. Upon receipt of these bids, the Building Inspector shall award the contract to the lowest and best bids; provided, however, that the Building Inspector shall have full power and authority to reject any and all bids.
(I) Demolition as compliance. Any owner of a nonresidential structure that does not conform to this chapter may remove or demolish such building and such action shall be deemed compliance; provided, however, that any building located in the "H" Historic District shall conform with the requirements of Chapter 154.
(J) Occupancy permit. No owner may sell, rent, lease, or offer to sell, rent, or lease a nonresidential structure without an occupancy permit the date of which is no older than six months before the date of such offering or sale, rental or lease.