§ 10-35. Initial individual complaint; method of service; contents of complaint.

(a)

Upon finding an initial violation, the enforcement officer shall determine the responsible persons, and shall serve notice of the violation in the form of an administrative complaint on the responsible persons. The initial individual complaint shall be served by any one of the three following described methods:

(1)

By a written notice sent by United States regular mail, postage prepaid, to the last known person owning, leasing, occupying or controlling the real estate as determined by the name on the water bill or business license, and as to the owner, the notice may be addressed to the address shown on the most recent tax bill for the real estate; or

(2)

By a written notice personally delivered by the code officer or such other authorized city representative to the person owning, leasing, occupying, or controlling the real estate, to be attested to by affidavit of service; or

(3)

By posting or door tagging a written notice on the property of the person owning, leasing, occupying, or controlling the real estate upon which the violation exists.

(b)

The complaint shall state the property address, property tax map number from the county's public records, date of the inspection and shall require the responsible person to perform the abatement of the nuisance condition of rank growth, the accumulation of yard waste, debris or any and all other objectionable, unsightly or unsanitary matter of whatever nature within seven days after the notice has been mailed, served or posted on the property. The initial complaint shall provide that, upon failure to perform the duty imposed herein, the city, or its agent, may enter the property to abate the nuisance at public expense as set forth in the ordinance. A copy of any complaint or order shall also be filed with the Clerk of Horry County and such filing of the complaint or order shall have the same force and effect as other lis pendens notices provided by law. The initial complaint shall inform that the failure to act upon the initial complaint or any subsequent violations after acting on the initial complaint shall result in the enforcement officer's completion of a title search, and petition to the manager to declare that the passage of the ordinance, the published notice and service of the first complaint are sufficient notice of the imposed civic duties and prohibited conduct, and the penalties, fees and assessments pertaining thereto, and that public abatement henceforth shall occur expeditiously, and be subject to the assessment requirements as set forth herein.

(Ord. No. 2013-7, 1-22-13)