Full question:
I have a mobile home I have used for fifteen years for tool storage and working out of as a carpenter. I live in a floodway in Jefferson County, Missouri, on a posted private road that is a mile and half long and is a dead end. Recently it was posted with a public nuisance sign. After inquiring what was required to remove the sign, I was told that I had to physically remove the trailer or demolish it. They had taken photos and refused to tell me what was wrong specifically for two months until I received a certified letter telling me I had fifteen days to respond or they would remove the trailer for me and send me the bill with the stipulation that refusal to pay the bill would start lien measures against my property. What recourse do I have?
- Category: Real Property
- Date:
- State: Missouri
Answer:
Local authorities may demolish unsafe buildings that pose a threat to public welfare. However, they must follow strict procedures before doing so. If a property owner is not properly notified about a pending demolition, they may be entitled to damages. Generally, property owners are not deprived of their property without due process if they receive notice of hearings, have the chance to be heard, and the order comes from an impartial commission. They also need to be informed of their right to appeal. Before a building can be declared a public nuisance and demolished, there should be a judicial determination or an opportunity for an administrative hearing with judicial review. If a building endangers public safety, the owner is typically responsible for the costs of demolition or repair.
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