(A) (1) In the event the owner does not appeal from the final order or direction of the Building Inspector requiring that the building or structure be demolished and removed or the taking of such other steps as may be required to abate the nuisance and remove the hazards, and fails or refuses to comply with such order and direction, it shall be the duty of the Building Inspector to file a written report thereof with the Clerk, who shall cause such report to be placed on the agenda for action by the Board of Commissioners at its next regular meeting or to some subsequent meeting to which the Board of Commissioners may continue the same. The Building Inspector shall mail a copy of this report by certified or registered mail to the owner at his or her last known address, or have a copy of the report delivered to the owner.
(2) The report shall specify the date of the meeting of the Board of Commissioners for which the matter will be docketed for action.
(B) In all cases referred to in this subchapter which reach the Board of Commissioners for action, either upon appeal of the owner from the ruling of the Building Inspector or upon report of the Building Inspector that the owner fails or refuses to comply with his or her order or direction, the governing body shall hear the matter, and if it finds and determines that the building or structure in question is in such a dilapidated or substandard state of disrepair as to constitute a fire or safety hazard; dangerous to life, health or other property; or is a public nuisance, and that the owner of the building or structure has failed or refused to abate the nuisance, has failed or refused to have the building or structure demolished or removed or has failed or refused to take such other steps as may be necessary to abate the nuisance and remove the hazards found to exist, it may cause the demolition and removal of the building or structure to be done, or effect such other remedies as may be necessary to abate the nuisance and remove the hazards, and specially assess the cost of the work against the lot or parcel of land on which the building or structure was situated. This assessment shall constitute a specific lien upon the lot or parcel of land, which may be enforced by an action instituted in the name of the town in the nature of an action to foreclose a mortgage as provided by G.S. § 105-374 in the case of ad valorem taxes and local improvement assessments.
(Prior Code, § 150.69)
Statutory reference:
Equitable enforcement authority on part of town, see G.S. § 160A-432