(A) General. The Code Official shall order the owner of premises upon which is located any structure or part thereof, which in the Code Official's judgment is so old, dilapidated or has become so out of repair as to be dangerous, unsafe, unsanitary or otherwise unfit for human habitation or occupancy, and to demolish and remove such structure or part thereof; or if such structure or part thereof is capable of being made safe by repairs, to repair and make safe and sanitary or to demolish and remove at the owner's option; or where there has been a cessation of normal construction of any structure for a period of more than two years, to raze and remove such structure or part thereof.
(B) Order. The order shall specify necessary repairs, if any, and a time in which the owner shall comply therewith. It shall be served on the owner of record and upon the holder of any encumbrance of record in accordance to § 156.804. If the owner or a holder of an encumbrance of record cannot be found, the order shall be served by posting it on the main entrance of the building.
(C) Restraining actions. Anyone affected by such order may, after service of such order apply to Jefferson County Circuit Court for an order restraining the Code Official from razing such structure or parts thereof. The court shall determine whether the order of the Code Official is reasonable, and if found reasonable, the court shall dissolve the restraining order, and if found not reasonable, the court shall continue the restraining order or modify it as the circumstances may require.
(D) Failure to comply. Whenever the owner of a property fails to comply with a demolition order within the time prescribed, the Code Official shall cause the structure or part thereof to be razed and removed, either through an available public agency or by contract or arrangement with private persons, and the cost of such razing and removal shall be charged against the owner of the real estate upon which the structure is located. Upon failure of the owner to effect payment of such costs, a lien to bear interest at the rate of 18% per annum, from the date of such lien until paid, shall be placed by the Metro Government against the real estate upon which the razed or removed structure was located. In addition to the aforesaid remedy or any other remedy authorized by law, pursuant to KRS 65.8801 et seq. and in accordance with § 32.288, the owner shall be personally liable for the amount of the lien, including all interest, civil penalties, fines, penalties, fees, abatement costs, and other charges and the Louisville Metro Government may bring a civil action against the owner and shall have the same remedies as provided for the recovery of a debt owed.
(Jeff. Ord. 37-2002, adopted and effective 11-12-2002; Lou. Metro Am. Ord. No. 162-2004, approved 10-28-2004; Lou. Metro Am. Ord. No. 125-2007, approved 7-2-2007; Lou. Metro Am. Ord. No. 122-2011, approved 6-8-2011, effective 7-1-2011; Lou. Metro Am. Ord. No. 200-2016, approved 11-29-2016, effective 12-31-2016)