(5) When repairs are made or other corrective action taken at the direction of the enforcing
officer, cost of the repairs and corrective action constitutes a debt in favor of
the corporate unit against the owner of the repaired structure. In the event the owner
fails, neglects, or refuses to pay the corporate unit the amount of this debt, it
is recoverable in a civil action against the owner or his or her successor, brought
in a court of competent jurisdiction by the corporate unit which possesses all rights
of a private creditor.
(b) Designation of unfit dwellings, dwelling units, rooming units, and structures.
(1) Any dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming unit, or structure shall be designated as unfit
for human habitation when any of the following defects or conditions are found, and
when, in the opinion of the enforcing officer, these defects create a hazard to the
health, safety, or welfare of the occupants or of the public:
(i) The structure is damaged, decayed, dilapidated, unsanitary, unsafe, or vermin-infested.
(ii) The structure lacks illumination, ventilation, or required thermal and sanitation
facilities.
(iii) The general condition of location is unsanitary, unsafe, or unhealthful.
(2) Whenever any dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming unit, or structure has been designated
as unfit for human habitation, the enforcing officer shall placard the dwelling, dwelling
unit, or rooming unit, or structure, indicating that it is unfit for human habitation,
and, if occupied, shall order the dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming unit, or structure
vacated within a reasonable time, that time to be not more than thirty (30) days.