(a) Whenever the Building Program Manager suspects the existence of a public nuisance in the city as defined in Section 1343.02, or a designee shall promptly inspect the premises on which the public nuisance is suspected to exist. Should the Building Program Manager find that a public nuisance does exist it shall be the duty of the Building Program Manager or a designee to photograph such public nuisance, and to file in the City Building Department the inspector's photographs and the written report of the findings. The Building Program Manager shall notify the owner stating the findings with respect to the existence of a public nuisance and stating that unless the owner(s) thereof abate the public nuisance by rehabilitation or by removal of the building, structure or nuisance, the city will abate the nuisance at the owner's expense. The Building Program Manager may also order the owner to take such measures as are reasonably necessary to lessen the severity of the public nuisance. If the owner fails or refuses to comply with such order, the city may abate or lessen the public nuisance's severity through rehabilitation, repair, or removal of the building, structure, or nuisances at the owner's expense. Abatement by the owner shall, on the issuance of a special building permit or a special wrecking permit, start within 15 days after service of the notice and shall be complete within the time prescribed in Section 1357.09 or such additional time as the Building Program Manager may deem necessary to complete the abatement.
(b) Whenever the Building Program Manager determines the existence of a public nuisance as defined in Section 1343.02, the Building Program Manager or designee may serve a written notice on the owner and/or other responsible person, stating the findings with respect to the existence of a public nuisance and ordering the owner and/or other responsible person, to abate the public nuisance within 15 days. Whenever the issues raised by the written notice and order have been finally determined, the Building Program Manager may request the assistance of the Department of Law in abating the public nuisance in the manner provided in Ohio R.C. Chapter 3767. If the owner and/or other responsible person fails or refuses to comply with the order to abate the public nuisance, the Building Program Manager may, in addition to proceeding as provided hereinabove, proceed against the owner for any violations of this chapter.
(c) The City may, at its option, elect to not utilize the procedure provided in this chapter, and proceed instead with the filing of an action in common pleas court in accordance with Ohio R.C. Chapter 3767. (Ord. 13-05. Passed 4-18-05.)