In all cases referred to in this chapter which reach the Mayor and 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, they shall hear the matter, and if they find and determine that the building or structure in question is in a dilapidated or substandard state of disrepair as to constitute a fire or safety hazard, or to be 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 and has failed or refused to have the building or structure demolished and removed or has failed or refuse to take other steps as may be necessary to abate the nuisance and remove the hazards found to exist, they may cause the demolition and removal of the building or structure to be done, or effect 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; and the 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 or 105-375 in the case of ad valorem taxes and local improvement assessments.
(Prior Code, § 5-35)