(a) Whenever complaint is made to the Building Commissioner of the existence of a public nuisance in the City, he shall promptly cause to be inspected the premises on which it is alleged such public nuisance exists. Should the Commissioner find that a public nuisance may exist and that the public health, safety or welfare may be in immediate danger, he shall promptly notify the Director of Public Safety and the Chief of Fire. The Director, if he has not already done so, and the Chief, if he has not already done so, shall cause to be inspected the premises on which it is alleged such public nuisance exists. Written reports of the inspections and of the findings of the Director and the Chief with respect to the existence of a public nuisance and any immediate danger to the public health, safety and welfare, shall be filed with the Commissioner. Should any one or more of the aforesaid officers find that a public nuisance exists and that the nature thereof is such as to require its summary abatement, it shall be the duty of the Commissioner to cause photographs of such nuisance to be made and to file and keep in his office the written reports of the findings of the aforesaid officials. The Commissioner shall then determine the person, persons, firm or corporation which, from the records in the County Auditor's office, appear to be the titled owner or owners of the aforesaid property, and immediately cause a written notice to be served on such person, persons, firms or corporation, either personally or by leaving a copy at the usual place of residence or business of such owner, or at the address of such owner shown in the County Auditor's records, or by mailing a copy to such owner at such place or address by United States certified mail, return receipt requested. If service of the written notice is unable to be perfected by any of such methods, then the Commissioner shall cause a copy of the notice to be left with the person, if any, in possession of the premises on which it is alleged such public nuisance exists. If there is no person in possession thereof, he shall cause a copy of the notice to be posted on the premises.
The notice shall state, in brief, the findings with respect to the existence of a public nuisance by any one or more of the aforesaid officers and shall further state that unless the owner or owners thereof cause the abatement of the public nuisance within twenty-four hours after service of the notice, the same will be abated by the City at the expense of such owner or owners.
(b) Any act, inspection or finding required to be made or carried out by any public official under this chapter may be carried out by any of his subordinates assigned or directed by him to carry out such function.
(Ord. 49-68. Passed 4-15-68.)
(c) A copy of the written notice referred to in subsection (a) hereof may also be served on a tenant of the owner of a contractor in the employ of the owner when such public nuisance is created or allowed to remain by such tenant or contractor.
(Ord. 98-90. Passed 4-16-90.)