A. Any building, project or land found in violation of these regulations is deemed to be a public nuisance and a danger to the public health and/or safety. Failure to remedy violations of these regulations after lawful notice to do so shall be a misdemeanor crime punishable as provided in Chapter 1.44 LMC and LMC 8.16.040. Notices declaring violations of these regulations to be a public nuisance shall be written and served as provided for in this title.

B. The City Engineer, or designee thereof, shall have the power and authority to order verbally and/or in writing the owner, occupant or user of property to correct and remove such nuisances at the expense of such owner, occupant, or user within such time as the City Engineer, or designee thereof, may order.

C. In the event of the refusal or failure to remove such nuisance within said time, the City Manager or designee may cause such nuisance to be abated at the expense of such person or persons, which cost may be recovered by the City from such person or persons in an action brought in the name of the City to recover the same in any court of competent jurisdiction. The City Engineer, or designee, is also authorized to file a lien against the property on which the nuisance was abated in the amount of the City’s costs in abating the nuisance, and to enforce said lien against the property. In any such abatement by the City, the City shall also be entitled to interest accruing at the rate of 12 percent per annum from the time of the expenditure of funds by the City for such abatement. The authority for enforcement provided herein shall be in addition to and as an alternative to the authority of the City to prosecute violations of City Codes as misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors or infractions. [Ord. 501 § 3, 2009.]