§4770.9. Notice to owner; hearing; notice filed with recorder of mortgages binds transferees

A. Before the governing authority may condemn any building, there must be submitted to it a written report recommending the demolition or removal of the building signed by some city official or other person authorized to act in such matters for the city. The mayor or chief executive shall thereupon serve notice on the owner and occupant, if any, of the building requiring him to show cause at a meeting of the governing authority, regular or special, why the building should not be condemned. The date and hour of the meeting shall be stated in the notice which shall be served at least ten days prior to the date of the hearing, except in case of grave public emergency as hereinafter provided. The notice may be served by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the owner and occupant, if any, at his last known address. The notice may also be served by any sheriff or deputy sheriff having jurisdiction and power to serve legal process where the owner of the building is found in the state of Louisiana, and the officer shall make return of the service as in ordinary cases.

B.(1) The tax assessor shall require an alternate agent for service of process in the event that the owner of the property cannot be located or otherwise properly identifiable.

(2) If the owner is absent from the state or unrepresented therein, or in the event the building is owned by a minor who has no tutor or an interdict who has no curator, then the notice shall be served upon the occupant of the condemned building or structure, if any, and also upon an attorney at law appointed by the major to represent the absentee, minor, or interdict. Domiciliary service may be made as in ordinary cases.

C. In case of grave public emergency where the condition of the building is such as to cause possible immediate loss or damage to person or property, the governing authority may condemn the building after twenty-four hours notice served upon the owner or his agent and/or the occupant and attorney at law appointed to represent the absentee owner.

D. Any notice served pursuant to this Section shall be filed with the recorder of mortgages. Once filed, said notice shall be deemed notice to all subsequent transferees. Any transferee of such property takes the property subject to all recorded liens, mortgages, and notices thereunto pertaining.

E. Nothing in this Section shall be construed to deprive property owners of their property without due process of law.

Acts 2003, No. 546, §1.