(A) Inspections. The enforcement officer, or any city police officer, is authorized and directed to make inspections to determine compliance with this chapter. Unless an emergency or imminent hazard exists, the officer will attempt to make reasonable accommodations with the occupant, owner or property manager to meet with or have a telephone conference with such person to review compliance with this chapter.
(B) Notice to comply.
(1) (a) If there is reason to believe that the property is not in compliance with this chapter, the enforcement officer may issue a letter of noncompliance requesting that the property be brought into compliance by a specific date, and setting the compliance date not less than 30 days from the date of the letter, thereby giving reasonable notice to abate the nuisance.
(b) The letter of noncompliance shall be sent first class mail, postage prepaid to the owner, occupant or property manager. The letter should include a copy of this chapter.
(2) It shall be the duty of the owner, occupant, lessee, manager or person in charge thereof, of any lot, building or premises where any nuisance exists, to remove, abate or destroy any existing nuisance without delay.
(3) (a) The occupant may apply in writing to the City Clerk for additional time to comply with the ordinance by reason of hardship.
(b) The enforcement officer may issue a written compliance agreement which shall state the reason for declaring a hardship and shall provide a date for compliance and the specific terms and conditions for compliance.
(c) The agreement shall be signed by the occupant and enforcement officer.
(C) Emergency.
(1) If an emergency or imminent hazard exists, then the city or its authorized agent(s) are authorized to take such appropriate action as may be reasonably required to avert the imminent hazard or emergency.
(2) When the city or its authorized agent(s) respond to an emergency or imminent hazard, then the occupants shall be severally and jointly obligated to pay the cost to the city or its authorized agents.
(D) Review of standards for maintenance.
(1) Occupant may make written application to the City Clerk for review of applicable standards for maintenance of the property in question.
(2) The application shall specifically state and detail the following:
(a) Why a review of maintenance standards as they apply to his or her property is appropriate;
(b) Why enforcement of current standards does not protect surrounding property values; and
(c) Why the property standards as applied to his or her property do not impact surrounding property and depreciate property values.
(E) Civil sanctions. In addition to any remedies or criminal sanctions provided herein, the city may bring a civil suit to enforce the provisions of this chapter.
(Ord. 660, passed 8-7-2019) Penalty, see § 91.99