THE LATEST DRAFT HAO
This is what the Supervisors
saw on December 21, 2010. It differs from what the Commissioners saw on
December 8, but in only one way: in what the Commissioners saw on
December 8, the section numbers jumped from II.A to II.D; that error
was fixed in what the Supervisors saw on December 21, but no other
changes were made.
This text version is intended
to be easier to work with than a .pdf file. To that end, no
"fancy" typeface, in particular no boldface, is used in this
document. In the original, some words are in boldface; in this
version, words boldfaced in the original are placed between
*asterisks*. With those conventions explained, here is the draft:
*ORDINANCE 10 -*
*COCHISE COUNTY HAZARD ABATEMENT ORDINANCE*
*PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF A.R.S. § 11-268.*
*[Note: Where a provision
is required or authorized by statute, the relevant statute section
number is indicated in brackets.]*
*PART 1: DEFINITIONS*
As used herein, bold-faced terms shall have the following meaning:
1. *"Board"* means the Cochise County Board of Supervisors.
2.
*"Building"* means any real property structure, movable or immovable,
permanent or temporary, vacant or occupied, used (or of a type
customarily used) for human lodging or business purposes, or where
livestock, produce, or personal or business property is located, stored
or used.
3.
*"Contiguous Sidewalks, Streets and Alleys"* means any sidewalk,
street, or alley, public or private, adjacent to the edge or boundary,
or touching on the edge or boundary, of any real property.
4. *"County"* means the unincorporated areas of Cochise County.
5. *"Days"* means calendar days unless otherwise noted.
6.
*"Dilapidated Building"* means any real property structure that is in
such disrepair or is damaged to the extent that its strength or
stability is substantially less than a new building or it is likely to
burn or collapse and its condition endangers the life, health, safety,
or property of the public.
7. *"Grounds"* means any private or public land, vacant or improved.
8.
*"Hazard Abatement Officer"* means the County Zoning Inspector or duly
authorized representative to discharge the duties of the County
pursuant to this ordinance unless otherwise expressly provided herein.
9.
*"Lessee"* means a person who has the right to possess real property
pursuant to a lease, rental agreement, or similar instrument.
10.
*"Lots"* means any plot or quantity of land, vacant or improved,
private or public, as surveyed, platted or apportioned for sale or any
other purpose.
11.
*"Occupant"* means a person who has the actual use, possession or
control of real property. The term does not include any
corporation or association operating or maintaining right-of-way for
and on behalf of the United States government, either under contract or
federal law. *[A.R.S. § 11-268.I]*
12.
*"Owner"* means a person who is a record owner of real property as
shown in the public records in the office of the Cochise County
Recorder, and includes a person holding equitable title under a
recorded installment sales contract, contract for deed or similar
instrument.
13.
*"Person"* means an individual, partnership, corporation, association,
trust, state, municipality, political subdivision, or any other entity
that is legally capable of owning, leasing, or otherwise possessing
real property.
14.
*"Public nuisance"* means a dilapidated building or an accumulation of
rubbish, trash, weeds, filth or debris that constitutes a hazard to the
public health and safety as determined by the Hazard Abatement Officer.
15.
*"Real Property"* means buildings, grounds, or lots, as well as
contiguous sidewalks, streets, and alleys, located in the County.
*PART II: VIOLATION OF
ORDINANCE; REMOVAL OF PUBLIC NUISANCE BY OWNER, LESSEE OR OCCUPANT;
SERVICE OF NOTICE TO ABATE; REMOVAL BY COUNTY; ASSESSMENT OF COSTS;
RECORDATION AND PRIORITY OF LIEN.*
*A.
Violation.* A person, firm or corporation shall have created a
public nuisance and committed a violation of this ordinance if such
person, firm or corporation without lawful authority, and in a manner
that constitutes a hazard to public health and safety:
1. Places, permits, or provides for rubbish, trash, weeds,
filth, debris or dilapidated buildings to remain upon property located
in the County of which they are owner, lessee, or occupant.
*[A.R.S. § 11-268.A]*
2. Places, permits, or provides for rubbish, trash, weeds,
filth, debris or dilapidated buildings to remain upon contiguous
sidewalks, streets and alleys in the County which are dedicated and
open to the public. *[A.R.S. § 11-268.A]*
3. Places, permits, or provides for rubbish, trash, weeds,
filth, debris or dilapidated buildings to remain upon any other private
or public property in the County not owned or under the control of the
person, firm or corporation. *[A.R.S. § 11-268.A.3]*
*B.
Duty to remove.* A person, firm or corporation shall remove or
otherwise abate a public nuisance as defined herein in thirty (30) days
after mailing or personal service of a Notice and Order to Abate as
provided herein. *[A.R.S. § 11-268.A.1]*
*C.
Notice and Order to Abate.* Upon finding probable cause that a
violation of this ordinance has occurred, the Hazard Abatement Officer
shall issue a notice in writing which shall be served in person or by
certified mail upon the owner, any lienholder, occupant or lessee at
their last known address or at the address on file in the County
Treasurer's Office to which the most recent tax bill was mailed.
If the owner does not reside on the property, a copy of the notice
shall be served upon the owner in person or by certified mail to the
owner's last known address. Failure by any party to receive the
notice shall not be a bar to abatement, assessment of costs or lien of
assessment pursuant to this Ordinance. *[A.R.S. §
11-268.A.1]*
*D. Notice and Order.* The Notice and Order to Abate shall include the following:
1. The street address, parcel number and a legal
description sufficient for identification of the premises on which the
alleged violation occurred.
2. A statement that the Hazard Abatement Officer has
determined that there is a probable cause that a violation of this
ordinance has occurred on the premises identified in the notice.
3. An order that the owner, occupant or lessee shall have
thirty (30) days from the date of mailing or personal service of the
order to remove any rubbish, trash, weeds, filth, debris or dilapidated
buildings upon the property or upon contiguous sidewalks, streets or
alleys.
4. A statement that rubbish, trash, weeds, filth, debris or
dilapidated building materials constituting a public nuisance must be
disposed of at an appropriate waste collection facility or by other
legal means and that an affidavit attesting to the fact that said
material was disposed of in a legal manner, to which a tipping fee
receipt or other evidence of legal disposal may be attached, is to be
submitted to the Hazard Abatement Officer prior to a determination of
compliance with the Notice and Order to Abate.
5. A statement that the County may cause the violation to
be abated if the owner, occupant or lessee fails to comply with the
order within the specified compliance period.
6. An estimate of the cost of removal or abatement by the
County, including incidental costs, to be based on an estimate provided
by a qualified contractor or by the Hazard Abatement Officer.
*[A.R.S. § 11-268.A.1]*
7. A statement that the owner, occupant or lessee shall
have fifteen (15) days from the post mark date of mailing or personal
service of the Notice and Order to Abate to appeal the issuance of the
notice to the Board of Supervisors and that failure to appeal will
constitute waiver of all rights to an administrative hearing and
determination of the matter.
8. A statement that a party who places any rubbish, trash,
filth or debris upon any private or public property located in the
unincorporated area of the county that is not owned or controlled by
that party without authorized permission is guilty of a Class 1
misdemeanor and may be subject to criminal penalties in addition to the
cost of abatement. *[A.R.S. § 11-268.A.3]*
*E.
Appeal of Notice and Order to Abate.* Any person receiving a
Notice and Order to Abate may appeal to the Board of Supervisors as
follows *[A.R.S. § 11-268.A.2]*:
*1. Notice of Appeal.* A written Notice of Appeal
shall be filed with the Clerk of the Board within fifteen (15) days
after the Notice and Order to Abate was mailed or personally
served. The date of receipt by the Board shall be the date of
filing.
*2. Contents of Notice of Appeal.* The Notice of
Appeal shall state in reasonable detail why the appellants should not
be required to comply with the Notice and Order to Abate.
*3. Hearing on Appeal.* Upon receipt of the Notice of
Appeal, the Board shall, within a reasonable time, place the matter on
the agenda at a regular meeting or, if the Board has appointed a
hearing officer pursuant to Paragraph II.P, refer the appeal to the
hearing officer. The Hazard Abatement Officer shall appear and
present evidence of the existence of the Public Nuisance. The
appellant may present evidence controverting the existence of the
Public Nuisance. The hearing shall be informal and without regard
to the rules of procedure or evidence governing court
proceedings. The Board shall decide the appeal. The
appellant may appeal the Board's decision to Superior Court, as
provided by statute.
*4. Extension of Time for Compliance.* If the Board's
decision is adverse to the appellant, the date of compliance set forth
in the Notice and Order to Abate shall be extended until thirty (30)
days from the date of the Board's decision.
*F.
Removal by Board.* If the owner, lessee or occupant fails to
remove or otherwise abate the Public Nuisance in thirty (30) days of
mailing or personal service of the Notice and Order to Abate (or such
extension thereof as may be granted in writing by the Board), the Board
or its designee may, at the expense of the owner, lessee or occupant,
order removal or abatement of the Public Nuisance or cause it to be
removed or abated; provided, however, that if such removal or abatement
is not undertaken within one hundred and eighty (180) days after the
right to do so first accrues, a new Notice and Order to Abate shall be
served as provided in Paragraph II.C. *[A.R.S. § 11-268.B]*
1. *Cost of Removal.* The costs assessed for removal
or abatement shall not exceed the actual costs and incidental expenses
thereof. If the removal or abatement is to be performed by an
outside contractor, in retaining a contractor the Hazard Abatement
Officer shall comply with the County Procurement policy. In the
alternative, removal or abatement may be performed by a State Prison
work crew or Cochise County personnel if it is determined by the Hazard
Abatement Officer to be feasible, in which case costs will be the
actual cost to the County including the time of County personnel
assessed at applicable rates. *[A.R.S. § 11-268.C]*
2. *Historical Review.* Before the removal of a
dilapidated building, the Board shall consult with the state historic
preservation officer to determine if the building may be of historical
value. *[A.R.S. § 11-268.G]*
3. *Removal from Tax Rolls.* Upon the removal of
a dilapidated building, the County Assessor shall adjust the
valuation of the Real Property on the property assessment tax roll from
the date of removal. *[A.R.S. § 11-268.H]*
*G.
Assessment.* Upon the removal or abatement of Public Nuisance as
provided in Paragraph II.F, the actual cost of removal or abatement,
together with the actual cost of any additional inspections and other
incidental costs, shall be an Assessment against the Real Property on
which the Public Nuisance was located. *[A.R.S. § 11-268.C]*
*H.
Notice of Assessment.* A written Notice of Assessment shall be
served in the same manner as the Notice and Order to Abate. The
Notice of Assessment shall list the common address, legal description
and tax parcel number of the property. The Notice of Assessment
shall set forth the facts supporting it as well as an itemized listing
of the actual cost of removal or abatement, the actual costs of any
additional inspections and other incidental costs. The Notice
shall state that the entire cost is due and payable in full not later
than thirty (30) days from the date of issuance of the Notice and that
the assessment will become delinquent as of that date. The Notice
shall be signed by the Hazard Abatement Officer. The Notice shall
also contain the following statement in bold face print:
*NOTICE:
THIS NOTICE OF ASSESSMENT PURSUANT TO A.R.S. § 11-268 SHALL
CONSTITUTE A LIEN UPON THE PROPERTY DESCRIBED IN THE NOTICE IN FAVOR OF
COCHISE COUNTY. THE COUNTY MAY TAKE LEGAL ACTION TO FORCECLOSE
{SIC; OBVIOUSLY "FORECLOSE" IS MEANT} THE LIEN AND SELL THE PROPERTY DESCRIBED TO RECOVER THE COSTS STATED IN
THE NOTICE OF ASSESSMENT.*
The Notice
of Assessment shall indicate that the owner, lessee or occupant shall
have fifteen (15) days from the post marked date of the mailing or
personal service of the Notice of Assessment to appeal the amount of
the assessment imposed by the County.
*I.
Appeal of Notice of Assessment.* All appeals of assessments shall
be in writing and shall specify the grounds for appeal of the
assessment. The date of receipt of the Notice of Appeal by the
Board shall be the date of filing. No appeals of violations shall
be heard upon appeal of an assessment. *[A.R.S. §
11-268.A.2]*
*J.
Report of Assessment.* If an appeal of the Notice of Assessment
is not timely filed, the Hazard Abatement Officer shall prepare a
Report of Assessment for review by the Board of Supervisors. The
Report shall list the common address, legal description and tax parcel
of the property. The Report of Assessment shall set forth the
facts supporting it as well as an itemized listing of the actual cost
of removal or abatement, the actual cost of any additional inspections
and other incidental costs. Upon receipt of the Report by the
Board, the Chairman shall sign it, with authority to do so hereby
delegated by the Board to the Chairman. Board approval of the
Report is not required. Thereafter, upon recordation pursuant to
Paragraph II.L, the assessment shall become a lien of assessment
against the property.
*K.
Hearing on Appeal.* Upon receipt of the Notice of Appeal of
Assessment, the Board shall, within a reasonable time, place the matter
on the agenda at a regular meeting or, if the Board has appointed a
hearing officer pursuant to Paragraph II.P of this ordinance, refer the
appeal to the hearing officer. Written notice of the hearing
shall be provided to the Hazard Abatement Officer, to other appropriate
County departments and to the Appellant. The Hazard Abatement
Officer shall appear and present the facts supporting the assessment as
well as an itemized listing of the actual cost of removal or abatement,
the costs of any additional inspections and other incidental
costs. The Appellant may present evidence controverting the
imposition of the assessment. The Board shall determine whether
the assessment was made in accordance with the provisions of this
ordinance and applicable state statutes, and whether the amount of the
assessment is sufficient to cover the actual costs of abatement and
related activities. After hearing all of the evidence presented,
or after reviewing recommendations made by its hearing officer, the
Board shall issue its findings in writing upholding or modifying the
amount of the assessment. The decision of the Board of
Supervisors shall be final.
*L.
Recordation.* If the owner, lessee or occupant fails to pay the
assessment within thirty (30) days after receipt of the Notice of
Assessment (or any extension as may have been granted in writing by the
County Zoning Inspector or his designee), and fails to timely appeal
the assessment, that assessment shall be delinquent and shall be
recorded in the office of the Cochise County Recorder, upon the Board
Chairman signing a Report of Assessment pursuant to Paragraph
II.J. If a Notice of Assessment is appealed to the Board and the
assessment is sustained in whole or in part in a written decision by
the Board, and the owner, lessee or occupant fails to pay the amount of
the assessment ordered by the Board within thirty (30) days after
receipt of the Board's decision, the assessment shall be delinquent and
may be recorded in the office of the Cochise County Recorder.
*[A.R.S. § 11-268.D]*
*M.
Lien of Assessment.* The assessment shall be a lien against the
real property from and after the date of recordation and shall accrue
interest at the statutory judgment rate until paid. The lien of
assessment shall be subject to and inferior to all prior recorded
mortgages and encumbrances and to such other liens as specifically
provided by law. *[A.R.S. § 11-268.D]*
*N.
Foreclosure.* The Board may, but shall not be obligated to, bring
an action to enforce the assessment lien in the Cochise County Superior
Court at any time after the recordation of the assessment. The
recorded assessment is prima facie evidence of the truth of all matters
recited therein and of the regularity of all proceedings before the
recordation thereof.
*O.
Subsequent Assessments.* A prior assessment shall not constitute
a bar to a subsequent assessment or assessments for such purposes and
any number of liens may be recorded and may be enforced in the same or
separate actions by the County. *[A.R.S. § 11-268.F]*
*P.
Hearing Officer; Appointment and Duties.* In fulfilling the
responsibilities required of the Board of Supervisors pursuant to this
ordinance, the Board may, by a majority vote of its members, appoint a
hearing officer to review appeals of Notices to Abate and/or Notices of
Assessment. The hearing officer shall hold hearings and take
testimony, make findings and prepare recommendations to be reported for
action by the Board of Supervisors.
*Q.
Assessment schedule.* Assessments that are imposed pursuant to
this ordinance run against the property until they are paid, and are
due and payable in equal annual installments as follows *[A.R.S. §
11-268.E]*:
1. Assessments of less than five hundred dollars ($500.00)
shall be paid within one year after the assessment is recorded;
2. Assessments of five hundred dollars ($500.00) or more
but less than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) shall be paid within two
years after the assessment is recorded;
3. Assessments of one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) or more
but less than five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) shall be paid within
three years after the assessment is recorded;
4. Assessments of five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) or more
but less than ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00) shall be paid within
six years after the assessment is recorded;
5. Assessments of ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00) or more
shall be paid within ten years after the assessment is recorded.
*PART III: ADDITIONAL PENALTIES*
*A.
Classification; Liability.* In addition to the penalties imposed
pursuant to the abatement and assessment provisions of this ordinance,
any person, firm or corporation placing any rubbish, trash, filth or
debris upon any private or public property located in the
unincorporated areas of the county not owned or under the control of
the person, firm or corporation shall be guilty of a Class 1
misdemeanor and, in addition to any fine which may be imposed for a
violation of any provision of this ordinance, shall be liable for all
costs which may be assessed pursuant to this ordinance for the removal
of the rubbish, trash, filth or debris. *[A.R.S. §
11-268.A.3]*
*PART IV: NON-EXCLUSIVE REMEDY*
The remedies provided for in
this ordinance shall be in addition to any and all other
remedies, civil or criminal, available to Cochise County pursuant to
statute and common law, specifically including those set forth in
A.R.S. §§ 13-2908, 36-602 and 49-143.