§ 38-51. Notice to owner; absent owner; hearing.

Before the governing authority may condemn any building or structure there must be submitted to it a written report recommending the demolition or removal of the building signed by some city official or other person authorized to act in such matters for the municipality. The Mayor or his designated representative shall thereupon serve notice on the owner of the building or structure requiring him to show cause at a meeting of the governing authority regular or special, why the building or structure should not be condemned. The date and hour of the meeting shall be stated in the notice which shall be served at least ten days prior to the date of the hearing, except in case of grave public emergency as hereinafter provided. The notice may be served by registered or certified mail, postage pre-paid, addressed to the owner at his last known address. The notice may also be served by the marshal of the municipality or by any sheriff or deputy sheriff or constable having jurisdiction and power to serve legal process where the owner of the building or structure is found in the State of Louisiana, and the officer shall make return of the service as in ordinary cases.

If the owner be absent from the state or unrepresented therein, then the notice shall be served upon the occupant of the condemned building or structure, if any, and also upon an attorney at law appointed by the mayor to represent the absentee. Domiciliary service may be made as in ordinary cases.

In case of grave public emergency where the condition of the building is such as to cause possible immediate loss or damage to person or property the governing authority may condemn the building after 24 hours notice served upon the owner or his agent or the occupant and attorney at law appointed to represent the absentee owner.

(R.S. 33:4762; Ord. No. 8/98, 6-8-98)