A. City Authority: The building inspector may, pursuant to the requirements of section 66.0413, Wisconsin statutes:
1. If a building is old, dilapidated or out of repair and consequently dangerous, unsafe, unsanitary or otherwise unfit for human habitation and unreasonable to repair, order the owner of the building to raze the building or, if the building can be made safe by reasonable repairs, order the owner to either make the building safe and sanitary or to raze the building, at the owner's option.
2. If there has been a cessation of normal construction of a building for a period of more than two (2) years, order the owner of the building to raze the building.
B. Failure To Abate; City Abatements; Costs: If the owner shall fail or refuse to comply within the time prescribed, the building inspector shall cause such building or part thereof to be razed and removed either through any available public agency or by contract or arrangement with private persons, or closed if unfit for human habitation, occupancy or use. The cost of such razing and removal or closing shall be charged against the real estate, and shall be assessed and collected as a special tax. When any building has been ordered razed and removed, the building inspector under said contract or arrangement aforesaid, may sell the salvage and valuable material at the highest price obtainable. The said proceeds of such sale, after deducting the expense of such razing and removal, shall be promptly remitted to the circuit court with a report of such sale or transaction, including the items of expense and the amounts deducted, for the use of the person who may be entitled thereto, subject to the order of the court. If there remains no surplus to be turned over to the court, the report shall so state. If the building inspector shall post a placard on the premises containing the following words: "This Building Cannot be Used for Human Habitation, Occupancy Or Use", it shall be the duty of the building inspector or his authorized agent to prohibit the use of the building for human habitation, occupancy or use until the necessary repairs have been made. Any person who shall rent, lease or occupy a building which has been condemned for human habitation, occupancy or use, shall be liable to a forfeiture of not less than five dollars ($5.00) nor more than fifty dollars ($50.00) for each week of such violation. Any person receiving notice as hereinbefore provided who shall fail or neglect to comply with the directions therein contained, shall be subject to the penalties set forth in this section. (1975 Code Ch. 16 § XIII)