§ 12:521. Recommendation of removal; notice; service; condemnation in emergency.

(a)

Before the council may condemn any building or structure there must be submitted to it a written report recommending the demolition or removal of the building signed by the building official or other person authorized to act in such matters for the city-parish. The report shall contain a log of all actions taken by the department of public works regarding the building, as well as the dates of such actions. The report shall further contain documentation of the time period given to repair the building as well as any additional repair time extended. The mayor-president shall thereupon serve notice on the owner of the building or structure requiring him to show cause at a meeting of the council, regular or special, why the building or structure should not be condemned. The date and hour of the meeting shall be stated in the notice which shall be served at least ten (10) days prior to the date of the hearing, except in case of grave public emergency as hereinafter provided. The notice may be served by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the owner at his last known address. The notice may also be served by the sheriff or deputy sheriff or constable having jurisdiction and power to serve legal process where the owner of the building or structure is found in the state, and the officer shall make return of the service as in ordinary cases. If a return has been made certifying that the sheriff or constable has been unable to make service, then the notice may be served by an investigator employed with the office of the parish attorney.

(b)

If the owner be absent from the state or unrepresented therein, then the notice shall be served upon the occupant of the condemned building or structure, if any, and also an attorney-at-law appointed by the mayor- president to represent the absentee. Domiciliary service may be made as in ordinary cases.

(c)

In case of grave public emergency where the condition of the building is such as to cause possible immediate loss or damage to person or property the council may condemn the building after twenty-four (24) hours' notice served upon the owner or his agent or the occupant and attorney-at-law appointed to represent the absent owner.

(Parish Code 1962, Title 12, § 521; Ord. No. 13721, § 1, 8-23-06; Ord. No. 15284, § 1, 3-28-12)