(A) Whenever a petition is filed by the Public Officer or at least five residents of the city charging that any structure is unfit for human habitation, occupancy, or use as defined in § 152.01A, or whenever it appears to the Public Officer (of his or her own motion) that any structure is unfit for human habitation, occupancy or use as defined above, the Public Officer shall, if his or her preliminary investigation of the contents of the petition discloses a basis for such charges, issue and cause to be served upon the owner of and parties in interest in such structure a complaint stating the charges in that respect. The complaint shall state that a hearing will be held before the City of Leitchfield Code Enforcement Board at a place and time therein fixed not less than ten days nor more than 60 days after the serving of the complaint; that the owner and parties in interest may file an answer to the complaint and appear in person or otherwise, and give testimony and present evidence at the place and time fixed in the complaint; and that the rules of evidence prevailing in courts of law shall not be controlling in hearings before the City of Leitchfield Code Enforcement Board.
(B) At any hearing before the Hearing Officer, the property owner or any party in interest shall have the right to be represented by counsel, present relevant evidence, cross-examine witnesses and have the proceedings recorded by a court reporter. Provided, however, that the property owner and/or any party in interest shall bear the expense of his or her attorney and/or the court reporter.
(Ord. passed 9-16-74; Am. Ord. 2002-13, passed 8-8-02; Am. Ord. 2011- 09, passed 8-15-11; Am. Ord. 2021-13, passed 11-15-21)