(a) The local health officer and, if authorized by appropriate ordinance of the city, the city health officer shall have such authority as to any private premises within the corporate limits of the city, and shall have the authority to order the owner or occupant of any private premises in the county to remove from such premises, at his own expense, any source of filth, cause of sickness, condition conducive to the breeding of insects or rodents that might contribute to the transmission of disease, or any other condition adversely affecting the public health, within twenty-four (24) hours, or within such other time as might be reasonable, and a failure to do so shall constitute a misdemeanor. Such order shall be in writing and may be served personally on the owner or occupant of the premises, or authorized agent thereof, or a copy thereof may be left at the last usual place of abode of such owner, occupant or agent, if known and within the state. If the premises are unoccupied and the residence of such owner, occupant or agent is unknown, or is without the state, such order may be served by posting a copy thereof on the premises, or by publication in at least one issue of a newspaper having a general circulation in the county. In the event of any conflict between the city health officer and the local health officer of the county, the county shall prevail.

(b) If such order is not complied with, the local health officer of the county or of the city may cause the order to be executed and complied with, and the cost thereof shall be certified to the county clerk, who shall add the same to the ad valorem taxes assessed against the property, and such cost shall be a lien against the property, until paid, and shall be collected in the same manner as ad valorem taxes against the property, and when collected shall be paid to the local health officer, county or city, or successor thereof, issuing the order, for reimbursement of the funds used to pay such cost.

(c) Cities and towns may enact ordinances providing for proceedings similar to those authorized by the foregoing provisions of this section, by city and town officials, and the cost of removing or abating any such nuisances may be added to municipal utility bills and collected in the same manner as such bills.

Laws 1963, c. 325, art. 10, § 1011; Laws 1968, c. 298, § 1, emerg. eff. May 3, 1968.