§ 150.51. In rem action by inspector.

(A)

If the owner fails to comply with an order issued pursuant to this article to repair, alter or improve or to vacate and close a dwelling, the Inspector may cause the dwelling to be repaired, altered or improved or to be vacated and closed. The Inspector may cause to be posted on the main entrance of any dwelling so closed a placard with the following words: "This building is unfit for human habitation; the use or occupation of this building for human habitation is prohibited and unlawful." Occupation of a building so posted shall constitute a misdemeanor.

(B)

If the owner fails to comply with an order to remove or demolish the dwelling, the Inspector may cause the dwelling to be removed or demolished. The duties of the Inspector set forth in subsections (A) and (B) hereof shall not be exercised until the town's Board of Commissioners shall have by ordinance ordered the Inspector to proceed to effectuate the purpose of this article with respect to the particular property or properties which the Inspector has found to be unfit for human habitation and which property or properties shall be described in the ordinance. No such ordinance shall be adopted to require demolition of a dwelling until the owner has first been given a reasonable opportunity to bring it into conformity with the Housing Code. This article shall be recorded in the office of the county's Register of Deeds and shall be indexed in the name of the property owner in the grantor index.

(C)

Dwellings ordered vacated by the Inspector shall have all outer doors firmly locked, and the basement, cellar and first-story windows barred or boarded to prevent entry, and shall not again be used for human habitation until written approval is secured from the Inspector.

(1992 Code, § 6-72; Ord. passed 4-11-1994)