Sec. 38-60Placarding premises

(a) The department may place a dated and signed placard on property which is in violation of this article, and notify the owner of such property by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the owner's last known address that the building has been placarded. Such notice shall specify the reason therefor and the owner's right of appeal as provided in this chapter. Such placard shall contain the following words:

"The City of Ashburn has declared this building dangerous and unfit for human habitation. The use or habitation of this building is prohibited and unlawful."

(b) It shall be unlawful for a person or persons to occupy the dwelling, structure, or premises or for an owner to allow occupancy of a dwelling, structure, or premises which has been placarded, if such dwelling, structure, or premises is, or becomes, vacant after placarding or, in all events, within 60 days from the date of placarding unless the violation has been corrected.

(c) The posting of the placard and the recording of same in the records of the department shall be notice to the general public that it is unlawful for any owner to allow the dwelling or structure to be occupied, as provided herein. No further notice shall be required to be given to any subsequent owner.

(d) It shall be unlawful to deface, alter, destroy, cover, or remove such placards. The department shall remove the placards when compliance with this article has been effected.

(e) If the owner and/or parties in interest fail to comply with an order to vacate and close the dwelling, building, or structure and clean the premises, the department may proceed under section 38-62 et seq. hereof.

History: (Ord. No. 2004-13, § 1.29, 9-2-2004)