§ 16.24.580. Complaint procedures—Hearing.

Whenever a petition is filed with the department by the metropolitan development and housing authority ("MDHA"), other public authority or its agent, or at least five residents of Davidson County charging that any dwelling or structure is unfit for human habitation, occupation, or use, or whenever it appears to the director or the director's agent (on the director's own motion), that any dwelling or structure is unfit for human habitation, occupation, or use, the director shall, if the preliminary investigation discloses a basis for such charges, issue and cause to be served upon the owner of and parties in interest of such structure, a complaint, stating the charges in that respect and containing a notice that a hearing will be held before the director or the director's designated agent at a place therein fixed, not less than ten days nor more than thirty days after the serving of such complaint, that:

1.

The owner or parties in interest or both shall be given the right to file an answer to the complaint and to appear in person, or otherwise, and give testimony at the place and time fixed in the complaint; and

2.

The rules of evidence prevailing in courts of law or equity shall not be controlling in hearings before the director.

(Ord. BL2001-585 § 1 (part), 2001)