Before any building or structure may be ordered to be demolished and removed as provided in section 5-72, the code enforcement officer shall notify the owner thereof, in writing, by certified or registered mail to the last known address of such owner, or by personal service of such notice by the code enforcement officer or his assistant, or by posting notice as hereinafter provided, that such building or structure is in such condition as appears to constitute a fire or safety hazard, or is dangerous to life, health or other property, or is a public nuisance and that a hearing will be held before the code enforcement officer at a designated place at a time not less than ten (10) days after the date of such written notice, at which time and place the owner shall be entitled to be heard in person or by counsel upon all legal or factual questions relating to the matter and shall be entitled to offer such evidence as he may desire which is relevant or material to the questions sought to be determined or the remedies sought to be effected. If the name or whereabouts of the owner cannot, after due diligence, be discovered, the notice herein referred to shall be considered properly and adequately served if a copy thereof is posted on the outside of the building or structure in question at least ten (10) days prior to the date fixed for the hearing and a notice of the hearing is published one (1) time in a newspaper having general circulation in the town at least one (1) week prior to the date fixed for such hearing. Such notice shall state the address or location of the building or structure and the time, place and purpose of the hearing.
(Code 1977, § 7-32)