Whenever a petition is filed with the Inspector by a public authority or by at least five residents of the town charging that any dwelling or dwelling unit is unfit for human habitation, or whenever it appears to the Inspector, upon inspection, that any dwelling or dwelling unit is unfit for human habitation he or she, if his or her preliminary investigation discloses a basis for such charges, shall issue and cause to be served upon the owner of and parties in interest in such dwelling or dwelling unit a complaint stating the charges and containing a notice that an administrative hearing will be held before the Inspector at a place therein fixed, not less than ten nor more than 30 days after the serving of the complaint. The owner or any party in interest shall have the right to file an answer to the complaint and to appear in person, or otherwise, and give testimony at the place and time fixed in the complaint. Notice of such hearing shall also be given to at least one of the persons signing a petition relating to such dwelling. Any person desiring to do so may attend such hearing and give evidence. The rules of evidence relevant in courts of law or equity shall not be controlling in hearings before the Inspector. If any person desires to be represented by an attorney at law, he or she shall notify the Building Inspector not less than five days before the scheduled hearing that such an attorney at law will be present on behalf of such person, and the Inspector may request the Town Attorney to be present under such circumstances.
(1991 Code, § 8-48) (Ord. passed 8-3-1982; Ord. 2021-01, passed 6-14-2021)
Statutory reference:
Ordinance authorized as to repair, closing, and demolition; order of public officer, see § 160D-1203(2)