All buildings or structures which are structurally unsafe or not provided with adequate egress, or which constitute a fire hazard, or which are otherwise dangerous to human life, or which in relation to existing use constitute a hazard to safety, health, or public welfare by reason of inadequate maintenance, dilapidation, obsolescence, or abandonment are unsafe buildings. All the unsafe buildings are hereby declared to be public nuisances and shall be abated by repair, rehabilitation, demolition, or removal. The Building Inspector shall examine or cause to be examined every building or structure or portion thereof reported as dangerous or damaged, and, if such is found to be an unsafe building, the Building Inspector shall give to the owner of the building or structure written notice stating the defects thereof. This notice may require the owner of person in charge of the building or premise to commence within 48 hours either the required repairs or improvements or demolition and removal of the building or structure or portions thereof, and all the work shall be completed within 90 days from date of notice unless otherwise stipulated by the Building Inspector. If necessary, the notice shall also require the building, structure, or portion thereof to be vacated forthwith and not reoccupied until the required repairs and improvements are completed, inspected, and approved by the Building Inspector. Proper service of the notice shall be by personal service upon the owner of record if he or she shall be found within the city limits. If he or she is not found within the city limits, the service may be made upon the owner by registered mail or certified mail, provided that is the notice is by registered mail or certified mail, the designated period within which the owner of person in charge is required to comply with the order of the Building Inspector shall begin as of the date he or she receives the notice. The Building Inspector shall cause to be posted at each entrance to the building a notice to read:
“DO NOT ENTER, UNSAFE TO OCCUPY
Building Department
City of Schuyler”
The notice shall remain posted until the required repair, demolition, or removal is completed. The notice shall not be removed without written permission of the Building Inspector and no person shall enter the building except for the purpose of making the required repairs or of demolishing the building. In case the owner shall fail, neglect, or refuse to comply with the notice to repair, rehabilitate, or demolish and remove the building or structure or portion thereof, the Governing Body may order the owner of the building prosecuted as a violator of the provisions of this code and may order the Building Inspector to proceed with the work specified in the notice. A statement of the cost of the work shall be transmitted to the Governing Body who shall cause the same to be paid and levied as a special assessment against the property. Costs incurred in the event the owner fails to repair or remove the building shall be paid out of the municipal treasury. The costs shall be charged to the owner of the premise involved as a special assessment on the land on which the building or structure is located and shall be collected in the manner provided for special assessments.
(1972 Code, § 3-902) Penalty, see § 150.99