§ 97.44 CLEARING OF LITTER BY MUNICIPALITY.
   (A)   Notice to remove. The Zoning Inspector is hereby authorized to notify the owner of any open or vacant private property, or any other private property within the municipality, or the agent of such owner, to properly dispose of litter located on such owner’s property which is dangerous to public health, safety or welfare. Such notice shall be personally delivered to such owner or his or her agent, or shall be sent by certified mail to the residence or place of business of such owner or his or her agent. If the address of the owner or person having charge of the land is unknown, it is sufficient to publish the notice once in a newspaper of general circulation in the county.
   (B)   Action upon noncompliance. Upon the failure, neglect or refusal of any owner or agent notified to properly dispose of litter dangerous to the public health, safety or welfare within five days after service, as provided in division (A) of this section, the Zoning Inspector or the Road Superintendent shall cause such litter to be removed, and may employ the necessary labor to perform such work or cause it to be done by the municipality.
   (C)   Expenses as a lien. All expenses so incurred by the Zoning Inspector or the Road Superintendent, and the cost of such notice, shall be reported to the Finance Director, who shall mail a statement thereof to the owner of the land, if his or her address is known. If, after 30 days, such amount remains unpaid, the Finance Director shall certify the total amount of the expense, the name of the owner of the land, and a sufficient description of the premises, to the County Auditor, to be entered upon the tax duplicate, to be a lien on the land from the date of entry, and to be collected as other taxes and assessments and returned to the municipality, pursuant to R.C. § 731.54. The remedy herein provided shall be in addition to the penalties provided in this chapter.
(Prior Code, § 632.15) (Ord. 91-17, passed 6-11-1991)