A.
Upon the determination by the enforcing officer that a property is not in compliance with this chapter, the officer shall give notice to the property owner that the property owner has five days to bring the property into compliance with the chapter if such abatement is determined by the enforcing officer to be possible.
B.
Notice to the property owner of noncompliance and for abatement shall be in writing and shall comply with the requirements of notice under this section.
C.
Notice requirements.
(1)
The enforcing officer shall give written notice in accordance with this section to the occupier of the premises on which a nuisance arises or exists. Should the occupier of such premises be a person, firm, corporation or entity other than the owner, then said notice shall be given to both the owner and occupier. Should the premises be unoccupied and the owner cannot be found, notice shall be posted on the property where the nuisance exists.
(2)
Notice shall contain the following:
(a)
A brief description of the property containing the nuisance;
(b)
The nature of the nuisance for which action is required and the action required to abate such nuisance;
(c)
A statement requiring abatement of said nuisance within the time specified in the notice, but in no event more than five days;
(d)
Notification to the property owner that failure to abate within the five days will allow the enforcing officer to undertake the work of bringing the property into compliance and assess the property owner for the cost of the work, including, but not limited to, the cost of all material and labor and any applicable penalties. Notice must also be given that such amount will result in a lien being placed against the affected property, which shall be collected in the same manner as the Town taxes on such real property;
(e)
Certification of the enforcing officer attesting to the truth of the matters set forth.
(3)
Such notice shall be deemed to be properly served if a copy thereof is:
(a)
Hand-delivered to the person to be notified;
(b)
Left at the usual residence or place of business of the person to be notified with the person or his agent;
(c)
Deposited in the United States Post Office, postage prepaid, addressed to the owner at his/her last known address as recorded in the real estate assessment records of the Town of Princess Anne and by posting a copy of the notice in a conspicuous place on the property; or, as a last resort.
(d)
Posted in a conspicuous place on the property in the presence of a witness and photographed by authorized personnel.
(4)
Any individual so served with notice may request a hearing before the Town Manager. Any such hearing request shall be made, in writing, to the Town Manager within the five-day time period and shall state, with particularity, any explanation for the nuisance or any defenses intended to be raised. Such hearing shall be held within 10 days after the request is received. Until the hearing is completed, the enforcing officer may not undertake to do the work of bringing the property into compliance or assess such charges against the property owners.