Any frame building or a structure within the fire limits of the city as hereinbefore prescribed by ordinance, which has or may be damaged by fire, decay or other causes to the extent of fifty (50) percent of its value, shall be torn down and removed, or rebuilt with nonflammable walls.

    A.    Evaluation of Damage Extent to be Confirmed by Three-Member Board. Upon written notice by the building inspector, health officer or fire marshal to the effect that a building or structure has been damaged to the extent of fifty (50) percent of its value, filed with the city clerk, the clerk shall notify the mayor and city council. The mayor, by and with the advice and consent of the city council, shall then appoint a three-person board to confirm whether or not such building or structure has been damaged to the extent of fifty (50) percent of its value.

    B.    Notice. The clerk shall cause written notice of the appointment of this three-person board to be served upon the property owner or owners, by personal service or by regular mail at his or her last known address. Such notice may be in the following terms:

        To                   , owner of the premises known and described as                      .

        You are hereby notified that                                has determined that the building owned by you at                    , located within the fire limits of the City, has been damaged by fire, decay or otherwise to the extent of fifty percent (50%) of its value and that a board of three (3) persons has been appointed to verify this finding, which board shall hold its first meeting in the City Hall on the          day of                    ,      , at the Hour of           O'Clock, at which time it will determine whether or not this finding is correct.

        If this finding is verified by the board of three (3) members, and it determines that the building in question has been damaged to the extent of fifty percent (50%) of its value, the City Clerk shall cause written notice of the finding to be served on the owner or owners, by personal service or by regular mail at his or her last known address. The notice shall clearly state it is the duty of the owner to tear down and remove said building within twenty (20) days after the finding of such board, or to remodel it to comply with the requirements of new buildings in the fire limits; and it shall be unlawful to occupy or permit the occupancy of such building after such finding until it is so remodeled.

    C.    Abatement. If the owner has not demolished the building, or otherwise brought the premises into compliance with this chapter, within twenty (20) days of the board finding that the building has been damaged to the extent of fifty (50) percent of its value, in addition to imposing the money penalty permitted by Section 15.20.060, the city clerk may declare the fire or decay damaged building a dangerous building and pursue city conducted demolition, pursuant to the procedures and requirements of Section 15.20.030 or 15.20.040, whichever is deemed to be appropriate under the circumstances. (Amended during 1997 codification: prior code § 5-2-5)