11 Pa.C.S. § 127A04 – Prior notice of abatement

(a) Abatement authority.— The department shall have the authority to abate a public nuisance with prior notice as provided by this section if, after inspecting the property or condition reported to be a public nuisance, subject to constitutional standards in a similar manner as provided in section 12308 (relating to powers of board of health), the department determines, as provided for in section 127A02(d)(1) (relating to report and investigation of public nuisance), that the public nuisance exists.
(b) Method of notice.—
1. (1) If the department proceeds with abatement pursuant to this section, it shall identify the owner of the property by reference to the city's real estate registry if the city maintains a registry or, in the absence of a registry, by reference to county assessment records and shall immediately serve a written notice on the owner by any of the following methods:
  1. (i) Personal service.
  2. (ii) Leaving a copy of the notice at the place of residence or business of the owner or the address of the owner shown in the city's real estate registry or in the records in the office of the recorder of deeds.
  3. (iii) Mailing a copy by United States certified mail, return receipt requested, to the owner at the owner's current address shown in the city's real estate registry or in the records in the office of the recorder of deeds.
2. (2) If service of the written notice is unable to be perfected by any of the methods under paragraph (1), the department shall publish a copy of the notice in a newspaper of general circulation once a week for two consecutive weeks and shall provide a copy of the notice to the individual in possession of the property on which the department has determined that the public nuisance exists, or, if there is no individual in possession of the property, the department shall post a copy of the notice at the structure, location or premises.
3. (3) The department shall determine from the records in the offices of the recorder of deeds the identities of all lienholders of the property and serve a written notice on all lienholders by United States certified mail, return receipt requested.
(c) Contents of notice.— The notice to the owner and lienholders shall state clearly and concisely the findings and determination of the department with respect to the existence of a public nuisance. The notice shall further state that the public nuisance shall be abated by the city at the expense of the owner unless it is otherwise abated within 30 days of the notice or within any extension of that period granted by the department.
(d) Liability.— A person who is the owner of the premises, location or structure at the time a notice to abate a public nuisance is issued and served upon the person shall be responsible for complying with the notice and shall be liable for any costs incurred by the city in connection with the notice, notwithstanding if the person conveyed the person's interest in the property to another after the notice was issued and served.
(e) Defense.— It shall not be a defense to the determination that a public nuisance exists that the property is boarded up or otherwise enclosed.
Cross References. Section 127A04 is referred to in sections 127A03, 127A05, 127A06, 127A10, 127A11 of this title.