15.2-1115 - Abatement or removal of nuisances.
§ 15.2-1115. Abatement or removal of nuisances.
A. A municipal corporation may compel the abatement or removal of allnuisances, including but not limited to the removal of weeds from private andpublic property and snow from sidewalks; the covering or removal ofoffensive, unwholesome, unsanitary or unhealthy substances allowed toaccumulate in or on any place or premises; the filling in to the streetlevel, fencing or protection by other means, of the portion of any lotadjacent to a street where the difference in level between the lot and thestreet constitutes a danger to life and limb; the raising or draining ofgrounds subject to be covered by stagnant water; and the razing or repair ofall unsafe, dangerous or unsanitary public or private buildings, walls orstructures which constitute a menace to the health and safety of theoccupants thereof or the public. If after such reasonable notice as themunicipal corporation may prescribe the owner or owners, occupant oroccupants of the property or premises affected by the provisions of thissection shall fail to abate or obviate the condition or nuisance, themunicipal corporation may do so and charge and collect the cost thereof fromthe owner or owners, occupant or occupants of the property affected in anymanner provided by law for the collection of state or local taxes.
B. Every charge authorized by this section in excess of $200 which has beenassessed against the owner of any such property and which remains unpaidshall constitute a lien against such property. Such liens shall have the samepriority as other unpaid local taxes and shall be enforceable in the samemanner as provided in Articles 3 (§ 58.1-3940 et seq.) and 4 (§ 58.1-3965 etseq.) of Chapter 39 of Title 58.1. A locality may waive such liens in orderto facilitate the sale of the property. Such liens may be waived only as to apurchaser who is unrelated by blood or marriage to the owner and who has nobusiness association with the owner. All such liens shall remain a personalobligation of the owner of the property at the time the liens were imposed.
(Code 1950, § 15-77.31; 1958, c. 328; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-867; 1997, c. 587;2004, cc. 533, 968.)