[Amended 4-18-2016 by Ord. No. 977]
Any person aggrieved by the action of any official charged with
the enforcement of this chapter, as the result of issuance of a written
notice of violation, or an alleged failure to properly enforce the
chapter in regard to a specific application, shall have the right
to appeal the action to the Circuit Court of Harford County. The appeal
must be filed in writing within five business days from the date of
the notice of violation or determination to the applicant and shall
clearly state the grounds on which the appeal is based.
A.
Enforcement measures after appeal. If the violation has not been
corrected pursuant to the requirements set forth in the notice of
violation, or, in the event of an appeal, within 10 business days
of the decision of the Circuit Court of Harford County, upholding
the decision of the Department of Public Works, then representatives
of the Department of Public works shall enter upon the subject private
property and are authorized to take any and all measures necessary
to abate the violation and/or restore the property. It shall be unlawful
for any person, owner, agent or person in possession of any premises
to refuse to allow the government agency or designated contractor
to enter upon the premises for the purposes set forth above.
B.
Within 30 days after abatement of the violation, the owner of the
property will be notified of the cost of abatement, including administrative
costs. The property owner may file a written protest objecting to
the amount of the assessment within 10 days. If the amount due is
not paid within a timely manner as determined by the decision of the
Department of Works or by the expiration of the time in which to file
an appeal, the charges shall become a special assessment against the
property and shall constitute a lien on the property for the amount
of the assessment. Any person violating any of the provisions of this
chapter shall become liable to the City by reason of such violation.
The liability shall be paid in not more than 12 equal payments. Interest
at the rate of 10% per annum shall be assessed on the balance beginning
on the 30th day after an invoice for the cost of abatement, including
administrative costs, has been presented to the owner of the affected
property.
