Whenever a petition is filed with the Planning and Development Department by a public authority or by at least five residents of the city charging that any dwelling or dwelling unit is unfit for human habitation, or whenever it appears to the Planning and Development Department, upon inspection, that any dwelling or dwelling unit is unfit for human habitation, it shall, if its preliminary inspection discloses a basis of such charges, 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 a hearing will be held before the Planning and Development Department at a place therein fixed, not less than ten nor more than 30 days after serving of the complaint; that the owner and any party of 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; and that the rules of evidence prevailing in courts of law or equity shall not be controlling in hearings before the Planning and Development Department. Notice of such hearing shall also be given to at least one of the persons signing the petition relating to such dwelling. Any person desiring to do so may attend such hearing and give evidence relevant to the matter being heard.
(1997 Code, § 152.16) (Ord. passed - -1997; Ord. 2003-28, passed 9-9-2003; Ord. 2010-26, passed 12-14-2010)