§ 5-201. Issuance of complaint.

(a)

Charges that any dwelling, building or structure in the municipality is unfit for human habitation or is unfit for its current commercial, industrial, or business use may be brought in two (2) ways:

(1)

A request making said charges may be filed with the public officer by a public authority or by at least five (5) residents of the City of Port Wentworth; or

(2)

The public officer may bring said charges on his own motion.

(b)

The public officer shall, if his preliminary investigation discloses a basis for such charges, issue and cause to be served upon the owner of any parties in interest in such dwelling, building, or structure a complaint or citation and summons. The complaint or citation shall state the specific charges and shall contain a notice that a hearing will be held before the municipal court. The hearing shall be fixed for not less than fifteen (15) days nor more than forty-five (45) days after the serving of the complaint. The owner and any parties in interest shall have 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. Service of complaints upon parties in interest and owners of unfit buildings or structures shall be made in accordance with O.C.G.A. § 41-2-12.

(Ord. No. 89-3, § 5, 4-28-89; Ord. No. 10-27, 9-24-10; Ord. No. 11-03, 3-24-11)