This bill aims to enhance the authority of county commissions and local governing bodies in West Virginia to address hazardous real property conditions. It introduces two new articles: Article 28 under Chapter 7, which empowers county commissions, and Article 20B under Chapter 8, which empowers municipalities. Both articles establish a process for identifying unsafe properties, requiring owners to clean up or remove hazardous conditions, and provide a mechanism for appealing decisions made by the governing bodies. The bill outlines the procedures for serving resolutions to property owners, the timeline for compliance, and the steps for hearings and appeals.

Additionally, the bill allows county commissions and municipalities to impose liens on properties if owners fail to comply with cleanup orders. The reasonable costs incurred for the removal of hazardous conditions will be filed with the county clerk as a lien against the property. This legislative measure is designed to ensure public safety and health by enabling local authorities to take decisive action against dilapidated and unsafe properties.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 7-28-1, 8-20B-1