§11-53B-3. Notice from appropriate city official; failure to comply.

(a) Whenever the appropriate city official, as defined herein, shall find that any building, structure, part of building or structure, party wall, or foundation situated in the city is unsafe to the extent that it is a public nuisance, the official shall give the person or persons, firm, association, or corporation who is the record owner, notice to remedy the unsafe condition of the building or structure by certified or registered mail to the owner's last known address and to the owner at the address of the property. A copy of all notices, orders, and other communications required by this chapter to be given to the owner of the property, or to the owner of an interest in the property, or to the person last assessing the property for state taxes, also shall be given to all mortgagees of record by certified or registered mail to the address set forth in the mortgage, or if no address for the mortgagee is set forth in the mortgage, to the address determined to be the correct address by the person responsible for the notice or other communication. The term "appropriate city official," as used in this chapter, shall mean any building official or deputy and any other municipal official or city employee designated by the mayor or other chief executive officer of the municipality as the person to exercise the authority and perform the duties delegated by this chapter to "appropriate city official."

(b) The notice shall set forth in detail the basis for the appropriate city official's finding and shall direct the owner to take either of the following actions:

(1) In the case where repair is required, accomplish the specified repairs or improvements within 45 days of the date of the notice or if the same cannot be repaired within that time to provide the appropriate city official with a work plan to accomplish the repairs, which plan shall be submitted within 45 days of the making of the notice and shall be subject to the city's approval.

(2) In the case where demolition is required, demolish the structure within 45 days of the notice.

The notice shall also state that in the event the owner does not comply within the time specified therein, the repairs or demolition shall be accomplished by the municipality and the cost thereof assessed against the property.

(c) The mailing of the notice, properly addressed and postage prepaid, shall constitute notice as required herein. Notice of the order, or a copy thereof, shall, within three days of the date of mailing, also be posted at or within three feet of an entrance to the building or structure, provided that if there is no entrance the notice may be posted at any location upon the building or structure.

(d) If the owner of any property cited hereunder fails to comply with the notice prescribed, the municipality may take either of the following actions:

(1) In the case where repair is required, repair the building at the expense of the municipality and assess the expenses of the repair on the land on which the building stands or to which it is attached.

(2) In the case where demolition is required, demolish the building at the expense of the municipality and assess the expenses of the demolition on the land on which the building stands or to which it is attached. The term "assessment" as used in this chapter shall refer to the cost of repair or demolition as provided herein.

(Act 2002-522, p. 1355, §3.)