(a) Whenever the Code Official finds any structure or premises, or any part thereof, to be in violation of the provisions of this Code, the Code Official shall issue a summons and compliant to the violator or he or she may advise the Prosecutor of the circumstances and request the Prosecutor to institute the appropriate action at law to compel compliance, or the Code Official may first give or cause to be given or mailed to the owner, agent or operator of such structure or premises a written notice stating the violation, which notice shall order the owner, agent or operator, within a stated reasonable time, to repair, improve or demolish the structure or premises concerned.
(b) Whenever the owner, agent, occupant or operator of a structure or premises fails, neglects or refuses to comply with any notice of the Code Official or notice to demolish and/or vacate a structure or part thereof, issued in accordance with the provisions of this Code, and when such structure is determined by the Code Official to constitute a public nuisance in that it is dangerous or injurious to the public health, safety or welfare, the Code Official may request the Prosecutor to institute legal proceedings or to take such other action as may be necessary to vacate the premises and abate the nuisance. The Code Official shall further give notice informing the owner, agent or operator of a structure or premises of such determination and action.
(c) The owner or owners of any property as to which such an order or notice to repair, improve, demolish or vacate has been issued shall not sell or enter into an agreement to sell or lease such property for longer than one year unless such order of the Code Official has been disclosed and displayed to the prospective purchaser or lessee, or unless or until the owner or owners has received notice from the Code Official of satisfactory compliance with such order or notice from the Code Official or other duly constituted authority that such order has been withdrawn or cancelled.
(d) If the person to whom a notice of violation is addressed cannot be found within Cuyahoga County after a reasonable and diligent search, then notice shall be sent by registered mail to the last known address of such person, and warning of the existence of such notice shall be posted in a conspicuous place on the structure or premises to which it relates. No person shall remove or deface such warning notice without written permission from the Code Official. Such mailing and posting shall be deemed legal service of notice. Service of a summons and compliant shall be delivered by either personal service or by certified mail, and shall be served in accordance with Rule 4.1 of the Ohio Rules of Civil Procedure.
(Ord. 53-68. Passed 7-22-69; Ord. 389-94. Passed 5-6-96; Ord. 114-97. Passed 5-19-97.)