The cost of the abatement of such nuisance may be paid out of the treasury of the City and charged to the owner of the property subject to abatement. Such cost shall be levied as a special assessment against the real property subject to abatement and the same shall be collected in the manner provided for collection of local improvement assessments. The amount of the cost of such repairs, alterations, or improvements; or vacating and closing; or removal or demolition by the Code Enforcement Officer, shall be assessed against the real property upon which such cost was incurred unless such amount has been paid previously, and such cost shall be certified by the Director of Finance to the County Treasurer as an amount due and owing to the City, pursuant to RCW 35.80.030, to be entered by the County Treasurer as an assessment upon the tax rolls against the property for the current year and to become a part of the general taxes for that year to be collected at the same time and with interest at such rates and in such manner as is provided in RCW 84.56.020 as now or hereafter amended, for delinquent taxes, and when collected to be deposited to the credit of the City’s general fund. If the dwelling or other structure or premises is removed or demolished by the Code Enforcement Officer, the officer shall, if possible, sell the materials of the dwelling, structure, or premises, in the usual manner prescribed by City ordinance for selling surplus property. If there is no other established procedure, the Code Enforcement Officer shall sell the materials at public auction pursuant to notice published in the City’s official newspaper at least 10 days prior to the auction. The proceeds of the sale shall be credited against the cost of the removal or demolition, and if there is any balance remaining, it shall be paid to the parties entitled thereto, as determined by the Code Enforcement Officer, after deducting costs incident to the sale.

As provided in RCW 35.80.030, the assessment shall constitute a lien against the property which shall be of equal rank with state, county, and municipal taxes.

Whenever a building or premises is found to be unsafe or unfit and the cost of demolition or other abatement must be incurred by the City, there shall be charged against the property the costs of all administrative proceedings before the Code Enforcement Officer and the Code Enforcement Board including, but not limited to, salaries, wages, benefits, material, equipment rental, and other expenses incurred for inspecting, conducting hearings, or otherwise determining the status of the property.

The Code Enforcement Officer or Code Enforcement Board may modify the time or methods of payment of such expenses as the condition of the property and the circumstances of the owner may warrant. In cases of extreme hardship, such expenses may be waived pursuant to an appropriate written finding by the Code Enforcement Board. [Ord. 4515 § 2, 2021; Ord. 4305 § 1, 2016; Code 1970 § 16.50.060.]