(A) Whenever a petition is filed with the public officer by a public authority or by at least 5 residents of the city or county charging that any structure is unfit for human habitation, occupancy or use, or whenever it appears to the public officer (on his or her own motion) that any structure is unfit for human habitation, occupancy or use, the public officer shall, if his or her preliminary investigation discloses a basis for the charges, issue and cause to be served upon the owner of and parties in interest in such structure a complaint stating the charges in that respect.
(B) The complaint shall state:
That a hearing will be held before the public officer (or his or her designated agent) at a place therein fixed not less than 10 days nor more than 30 days after the serving of the complaint; that the owner and parties in interest may file an answer to the complaint and appear in person, or otherwise, and give testimony at the place and time fixed in the complaint; and that the rules of evidence prevailing in courts of law or equity shall not be controlling in hearings before the public officer.
(Prior Code KOC, § 950.1, passed 2-1-1971)