§ 13. Placarding of Occupied Property.

(a)

Pursuant to a hearing by the court when charges have been brought against an owner or operator, the court is authorized to determine if the dwelling unit is unfit for human habitation. If so determined, it shall order the director to place a signed and dated placard to that effect, on the dwelling unit determined to be unfit for human habitation. The court shall specify a date by which the dwelling unit shall be vacated unless rendered fit for human habitation. Such placard shall contain the following words:

"This dwelling unit has been adjudicated by the Municipal Court of the City of Atlanta to be in violation of the Atlanta Housing Code and determined to be unfit for human habitation. It shall be unlawful for this dwelling unit to be occupied after (date) until all repairs required by the Atlanta Housing Code have been made and approved by the director of the bureau of neighborhood services. Mutilation or unauthorized removal or defacing of this placard shall be an offense punishable by fine and/or imprisonment."

(b)

Unlawful to Occupy Placarded Dwelling Unit. After the date specified by the court, it shall be unlawful for any person to occupy the placarded dwelling unit or for the owner or operator to allow occupancy of the dwelling unit or rent or lease the dwelling unit for occupancy.

(c)

Unlawful to Allow Placarded Dwelling Unit to be reoccupied. It shall be unlawful for an owner or operator to allow a placarded dwelling unit to be reoccupied.

(d)

Placarded notice to general public. The posting of the placard as provided for herein and the recording of such in the records of the bureau of code compliance of such action shall be notice to the general public that it shall be unlawful for any owner to allow the dwelling or structure to be occupied, and unlawful for any person to occupy, as provided herein; and no further notice by the city shall be required to be given to any subsequent owner or occupant.

(e)

Defacement of Placard. It shall be unlawful to deface, alter, or destroy, cover or remove said placard.

(f)

Removal of Placard by the Director. The Director shall remove the placard when compliance of all violations of this Code necessary to render property fit for habitation has been effected.

(Ord. No. 1996-79, § 4, 11-12-96; Ord. No. 2008-84(08-O-2059), §§ 7, 8, 11-24-08)