Bulletin: IN000014

IC 36-1-6-2

Real property; action to bring compliance; expense as lien against property Sec. 2. (a) If a condition violating an ordinance of a municipal corporation exists on real property, officers of the municipal corporation may enter onto that property and take appropriate action to bring the property into compliance with the ordinance. However, before action to bring compliance may be taken, all persons holding a substantial interest in the property must be given a reasonable opportunity of at least ten (10) days but not more than sixty (60) days to bring the property into compliance. If the municipal corporation takes action to bring compliance, the expenses incurred by the municipal corporation to bring compliance constitute a lien against the property. The lien is superior to all other liens except liens for taxes, in an amount that does not exceed:

(1) two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) for real property that:

(A) contains one (1) or more occupied or unoccupied single or double family dwellings or the appurtenances or additions to those dwellings; or

(B) is unimproved; or

(2) ten thousand dollars ($10,000) for all other real property not described in subdivision (1).

(b) The municipal corporation may issue a bill to the owner of the real property for the costs incurred by the municipal corporation in bringing the property into compliance with the ordinance, including administrative costs and removal costs.

(c) If the owner of the real property fails to pay a bill issued under subsection (b), the municipal corporation may, after thirty (30) days, certify to the county auditor the amount of the bill, plus any additional administrative costs incurred in the certification. The auditor shall place the total amount certified on the tax duplicate for the property affected, and the total amount, including any accrued interest, shall be collected as delinquent taxes are collected and shall be disbursed to the general fund of the municipal corporation.

As added by Acts 1980, P.L.211, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.50-2002, SEC.1; P.L.144-2003, SEC.1; P.L.177-2003, SEC.2.

IC 36-7-9-26

Recording of orders, statements of rescission, statements of public bids, and records of actions taken by hearing authority Sec. 26. (a) The enforcement authority shall record in the office of the county recorder orders issued under section 5(a)(6), 5(a)(7), or 6(a) of this chapter. If the enforcement authority records an order issued under section 5(a)(6), 5(a)(7), or 6(a) of this chapter, statements of rescission issued under section 6(b) of this chapter, statements that public bids are to be let under section 11 of this chapter, and records of action in which the order is affirmed, modified, or rescinded taken by the hearing authority under section 7 of this chapter shall be recorded. The recorder shall charge the fee required under IC 36-2-7-10 for recording these items.

(b) A person who takes an interest in unsafe premises that are the subject of a recorded order takes that interest, whether or not a hearing has been held, subject to the terms of the order and other documents recorded under subsection (a) and in such a manner that all of the requirements of sections 10, 11, and 17 through 22 of this chapter relating to the issuance of orders, service of orders and affirmation of orders are considered satisfied. If a hearing has been held, the interest is taken subject to the terms of the order as modified at the hearing, in other documents recorded under subsection(a), and in such a manner that all of the requirements of sections 10, 11, and 17 through 22 of this chapter relating to the issuance of orders, service of orders, and modification of orders at hearing are considered satisfied.

(c) A person who takes an interest in unsafe premises that are the subject of a recorded statement that public bids are to be let takes the interest subject to the terms of the statement and in such a manner that the notice of the statement required by section 11 of this chapter is considered given to the person.

As added by Acts 1981, P.L.309, SEC.28. Amended by P.L.290-1985, SEC.9; P.L.59-1986, SEC.16; P.L.177-2003, SEC.9.

IC 36-7-9-5

Orders; contents; notice; expiration Sec. 5. (a) The enforcement authority may issue an order requiring action relative to any unsafe premises, including:

(1) vacating of an unsafe building;

(2) sealing an unsafe building against intrusion by unauthorized persons, in accordance with a uniform standard established by ordinance;

(3) extermination of vermin in and about the unsafe premises;

(4) removal of trash, debris, or fire hazardous material in and about the unsafe premises;

(5) repair or rehabilitation of an unsafe building to bring it into compliance with standards for building condition or maintenance required for human habitation, occupancy, or use by a statute, a rule adopted under IC 4-22-2, or an ordinance;

(6) removal of part of an unsafe building;

(7) removal of an unsafe building; and

(8) requiring, for an unsafe building that will be sealed for a period of more than ninety (90) days:

(A) sealing against intrusion by unauthorized persons and the effects of weather;

(B) exterior improvements to make the building compatible in appearance with other buildings in the area; and

(C) continuing maintenance and upkeep of the building and premises; in accordance with standards established by ordinance. Notice of the order must be given under section 25 of this chapter. The ordered action must be reasonably related to the condition of the unsafe premises and the nature and use of nearby properties. The order supersedes any permit relating to building or land use, whether that permit is obtained before or after the order is issued.

(b) The order must contain:

(1) the name of the person to whom the order is issued;

(2) the legal description or address of the unsafe premises that are the subject of the order;

(3) the action that the order requires;

(4) the period of time in which the action is required to be accomplished, measured from the time when the notice of the order is given;

(5) if a hearing is required, a statement indicating the exact time and place of the hearing, and stating that person to whom the order was issued is entitled to appear at the hearing with or without legal counsel, present evidence, cross-examine opposing witnesses, and present arguments;

(6) if a hearing is not required, a statement that an order under subsection (a)(2), (a)(3), (a)(4), or (a)(5) becomes final ten (10) days after notice is given, unless a hearing is requested in writing by a person holding a fee interest, life estate interest, or equitable interest of a contract purchaser in the unsafe premises, and the request is delivered to the enforcement authority before the end of the ten (10) day period;

(7) a statement briefly indicating what action can be taken by the enforcement authority if the order is not complied with;

(8) a statementindicating the obligation created by section 27 of this chapter relating to notification of subsequent interest holders and the enforcement authority; and

(9) the name, address, and telephone number of the enforcement authority.

(c) The order must allow a sufficient time, of at least ten (10) days, but not more than sixty (60) days, from the time when notice of the order is given, to accomplish the required action. If the order allows more than thirty (30) days to accomplish the action, the order may require that a substantial beginning be made in accomplishing the action within thirty (30) days.

(d) The order expires two (2) years from the day the notice of the order is given, unless one (1) or more of the following events occurs within that two (2) year period:

(1) A complaint requesting judicial review is filed under section 9 of this chapter.

(2) A contract for action required by the order is let at public bid under section 11 of this chapter.

(3) A civil action is filed under section 17 of this chapter.

As added by Acts 1981, P.L.309, SEC.28. Amended by P.L.59-1986, SEC.5; P.L.14-1991, SEC.11; P.L.177-2003, SEC.4.