(A) Any building or structure within the fire limits of the city which has or may be damaged by fire, decay or other causes to the extent of 50% of its value, shall be torn down and removed, or rebuilt with non-flammable walls.
(B) Upon written notice by the City Engineer, Fire Marshal, Code Enforcement Officer to the effect that such building has been so damaged, filed with the Clerk, the Clerk shall notify the Mayor of the receipt of such notice.
(C) The Mayor shall then appoint three persons to determine whether or not such building or structure has been damaged to the extent of 50% of its value.
(D) A copy of the notice of the appointment of this board of three persons to determine the damage shall be served upon the owner of the premises by personal service or by certified mail at his or her last known address.
(E) Such notice shall be in substantially the following form:
“To _________________________________:
“You are hereby notified that________________ _______________________ has determined that the building owned by you, _______________, located within the fire limits of the city has been damaged by fire, decay or otherwise to the extent of fifty (50%) percent of its value, and that a board of three (3) persons has been appointed to verify this finding, which board will hold its first meeting in Room ______, in the ____________ hall at the hour of _________(__.m.), at which time it will determine whether or not this finding is correct.
“If this finding is verified by the board, you must tear down and remove the building, or rebuild it with non-flammable walls.”
(F) If this finding is verified by the Board of three members, and it determines that the building in question has been damaged to the extent of 50% of its value, it shall be the duty of the owner to tear down and remove the building within 20 days after the finding of such Board, or to remodel it to comply with the requirements of the new buildings in the fire limits; and it shall be unlawful to occupy or permit the occupancy of such building after such finding until it is so remodeled.
(1975 Code, § 7.08)
Statutory reference:
Similar provisions, see 65 ILCS 5/11-31-1