<div class="chunk-title">Sec. 3.5-44. - Procedures for enforcement.</div>
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            <p class="incr0">
               (a)
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            <p class="content1">
               <span class="ital">Preliminary investigations, notices, hearings.</span> Whenever a petition is filed with the officer by a public authority or by at least
               five residents of the county charging that any dwelling is unfit for human habitation
               or whenever it appears to the officer (on his own motion) that any dwelling is unfit
               for human habitation, the officer shall, if his preliminary investigation discloses
               a basis for such charges, issue and cause to be served upon the owner and parties
               in interest in such dwellings a complaint stating the charges in that respect and
               containing a notice that a hearing will be held before the officer (or his designated
               agent) at a place within the county in which the property is located fixed not less
               than ten (10) days nor more than thirty (30) days after the serving of the complaint;
               that the owner and parties in interest shall be given the right to file an answer
               to the complaint and to appear in person, or otherwise, and give testimony at the
               place and time fixed in the complaint; and that the rules of evidence prevailing in
               courts of law or equity shall not be controlling in hearings before the officer.
               </p>
            		
            <p class="incr0">
               (b)
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            <p class="content1">
               <span class="ital">Procedure after hearing.</span> After such notice and hearing, the officer shall state in writing his determination
               whether the dwelling or dwelling unit is unfit for human habitation, and if so, whether
               it is deteriorated or dilapidated.
               </p>
            		
            <p class="incr1">
               (1)
               </p>
            		
            <p class="content2">
               If the officer determines that the dwelling or dwelling unit is deteriorated, he shall
               state in writing his findings of fact in support of such determination, and shall
               issue and cause to be served upon the owner thereof an order directing and requiring
               the owner to repair, alter, or improve such standards of fitness established by this
               article within a specified period of time, not to exceed ninety (90) days. Such order
               may also direct and require the owner to vacate and close such dwelling or dwelling
               unit until such repairs, alterations, and improvements have been made.
               </p>
            		
            <p class="incr1">
               (2)
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            <p class="content2">
               If the officer determines that the dwelling is dilapidated, he shall state in writing
               his findings of fact to support such determination, and shall issue and cause to be
               served upon the owner thereof an order directing and requiring the owner either to
               repair, alter or improve such dwelling or dwelling unit to comply with the minimum
               standards of fitness established by this article, or else to vacate and remove or
               demolish the same within a specified period of time not to exceed ninety (90) days.
               </p>
            		
            <p class="incr1">
               (3)
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            <p class="content2">
               In emergency cases where it reasonably appears there is immediate danger to life or
               safety of any person or to safety of other property, unless a dwelling, unfit for
               human habitation or a dangerous building as herein described is immediately repaired
               or demolished, the officer shall cause immediate repair or demolition of such dwelling
               or building and the cost of such repair or demolition shall be recovered and collected
               as provided in <a href="" data-chunk-id="COOR_CH3.5BUBURE_ARTIIIMIHOCO_S3.5-48INREACOFPL" class="section-link" data-product-id="12207">section 3.5-48</a>.
               </p>
            		
            <p class="historynote0">
               (Ord. of 5-2-00, Â§ 3.5-45)
               </p></div>