Complaints or orders issued by the Building Inspector pursuant to this subchapter shall be served upon persons either personally or by registered or certified mail, but if the whereabouts of such persons are unknown and the same cannot be ascertained by the Building Inspector in the exercise of reasonable diligence, the Building Inspector shall make an affidavit to that effect, and the serving of the complaint or order upon such person may be made by publication once at least ten days prior to the date of the hearing in a newspaper having general circulation in the town. If the name or whereabouts of the owner cannot after due diligence be discovered, the complaints or orders shall be considered properly and adequately served if a copy thereof is posted in a conspicuous place on the outside of the building or structure affected by the complaint or order.
Statutory reference:
Similar provisions, see G.S. § 160D-1129(h)