Whenever the director of the designated enforcement department or his or her designated representative shall find that a nuisance exists within the city, a city enforcement employee (as defined in § 92.080) shall give written notice to the person creating, permitting or maintaining the nuisance to abate the nuisance. The notice may be served by first-class mail; and if to be mailed to the owner of the property, the mailing may be directed to the responsible person or entity listed on the city’s rental registration list. The notice may likewise be served by conspicuously posting a copy of the notice upon the premises where the nuisance exists. If posted, proof of the posting shall be sent by first-class mail to the owner of record or responsible party. The owner of record, tenant, resident or responsible party as defined by § 40.002 of any property found to have been in violation of health, nuisance or other code violations shall be jointly and severally liable as joint tortfeasors for a civil penalty or penalties imposed by the city pursuant to Title III, Chapter 40 of this code. If, after due inquiry, the city is unable to determine who is the owner or responsible party for the violation(s) and related fines, the city may elect to levy the fine as a direct assessment against the subject property.
(1992 Code, § 19-51) (Ord. 89-81, passed 11-2-1981; Ord. 58-07, passed 4-16-2007)