(a) The Building Inspector shall make periodic inspections of any dwelling vacated as unfit for human habitation or any other vacant structure. Whenever an inspection of the structure discloses that the structure by reason of its being a rat harborage or for any other reason has become a public nuisance or a hazard to the health, safety or welfare of the public, the Building Inspector shall issue a report with recommendations to the Enforcement Agency. The Enforcement Agency shall, in its discretion if warranted, issue a written notice requiring the owner, within a reasonable time specified in the notice, to rectify the conditions constituting the nuisance, or to remove or demolish the structure. Such removal or demolition shall not be ordered unless the cost of such repair, alteration or improvement shall exceed fifty percent (50%) of the market value of the structure. If requested by the property owner, a board of three appraisers shall be appointed to decide the market value. Each party shall select one appraiser, who, in turn, shall select the third. Any fees engendered through action shall be borne by the property owner. At the time of action, service of the notice shall be made in accordance with Section 1105.03.
(b) If the owner fails to rectify such conditions and the cost of rectifying the same shall be less than fifty percent (50%) of the market value of the structure, the Enforcement Agency may cause such repairs, alterations or improvements to be made. The amount of such cost of alterations or improvements, vacating or closing or removal or demolition shall be a Municipal lien against the real property upon which the cost was incurred. If the structure is removed or demolished by order of the Enforcement Agency, it shall sell the materials of such structure for the best price attainable, and shall credit the proceeds of such sale against the cost of removal or demolition, and any such balance remaining shall be disbursed to the owner.
(2-11-63; 7-11-94)