§ 14-6.426. Abatement by county.

(a)

Upon the failure, neglect or refusal to properly comply with the order to abate within the prescribed time period, the county abatement officer may cause to be done whatever work is necessary to abate the public nuisance. An account of the cost of abatement shall be kept for each separate assessor's parcel involved in the abatement.

(b)

When the county has completed the work of abatement, or has paid for the work, the total abatement costs shall be charged to the owner of the property. "Total abatement costs" means the costs of the actual work of abatement, administrative costs, inspection and reinspection costs, the appeal fee if it had been waived pursuant to Section 14-6.416, and attorneys' fees if applicable.

(c)

Attorneys' fees may be recovered in a proceeding under this article if the county elects, at the initiation of the proceeding, to seek recovery of its own attorneys' fees. If the county so elects, attorneys' fees will be recovered by the prevailing party. In no proceeding shall an award of attorneys' fees exceed the amount of reasonable attorneys' fees incurred by the county in the proceeding.

(d)

The total abatement costs shall be included in a bill and sent by certified mail to the last known address of the property owner. Simultaneously, the bill may be sent by regular mail. If the bill sent by certified mail is returned unsigned, then service is deemed effective pursuant to regular mail. The bill shall inform the owner that failure to pay the bill within forty-five calendar days from the date of mailing may result in a lien upon the property.

(Ords. 2007-18 § 9, 97-19 § 2, 88-88 § 2; Gov. Code § 25845(c)).