Okla. Stat. tit. 19, § 19-360

down and removal.

The board of county commissioners of any county in this state

with a population in excess of five hundred fifty thousand (550,000)

may cause dilapidated buildings within the unincorporated area of

the county to be torn down and removed in accordance with the

provisions in this section.

1. At least ten (10) days' notice that a building is to be torn

down or removed shall be given to the owner of the property before

the board of county commissioners holds a hearing. A copy of the

notice shall be posted on the property to be affected. In addition,

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 19. Counties and County Officers Page 194

a copy of said notice shall be sent by mail to the property owner at

the address shown by the current year's tax rolls in the office of

the county treasurer. Written notice shall also be mailed to any

mortgage holder as shown by the records in the office of the county

clerk to the last-known address of the mortgagee. At the time of

mailing of notice to any property owner or mortgage holder, the

county shall obtain a receipt of mailing from the postal service,

which receipt shall indicate the date of mailing and the name and

address of the mailee. However, if neither the property owner nor

mortgage holder can be located, notice shall be given by posting a

copy of the notice on the property, and by publication in a

newspaper having a general circulation in the county. Such notice

shall be published once not less than ten (10) days prior to any

hearing or action by the board of county commissioners pursuant to

the provisions of this section.

2. A hearing shall be held by the board of county commissioners

to determine if the property is dilapidated and has become

detrimental to the health, safety, or welfare of the general public

and the community, or if said property creates a fire hazard which

is dangerous to other property.

3. Pursuant to a finding that the condition of the property

constitutes a detriment or a hazard and that the property would be

benefited by the removal of such conditions, the board of county

commissioners may cause the dilapidated building to be torn down and

removed. The board of county commissioners shall fix reasonable

dates for the commencement and completion of the work. The board of

county commissioners shall immediately file a notice of dilapidation

and lien with the county clerk describing the findings of the board

at the hearing, and stating that the county claims a lien on said

property for the destruction and removal costs and that such costs

are the personal obligation of the property owner from and after the

date of filing of said notice. The agents of the county are granted

the right of entry on the property for the performance of the

necessary duties as a governmental function of the county if the

work is not performed by the property owner within dates fixed by

the board.

4. The board of county commissioners shall determine the actual

cost of the dismantling and removal of dilapidated buildings and any

other expenses that may be necessary in conjunction with the

dismantling and removal of the buildings including the cost of

notice and mailing. The county clerk shall forward a statement of

the actual cost attributable to the dismantling and removal of the

buildings and a demand for payment of such costs, by mail to the

property owner. In addition, a copy of said statement shall be

mailed to any mortgage holder at the address provided for in

paragraph 1 of this section. At the time of mailing of the

statement of costs to any property owner or mortgage holder, the

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county shall obtain a receipt of mailing from the postal service,

which receipt shall indicate the date of mailing and the name and

address of the mailee. If a county dismantles or removes any

dilapidated buildings, the costs to the property owner shall not
the

statement of costs to any property owner or mortgage holder, the

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county shall obtain a receipt of mailing from the postal service,

which receipt shall indicate the date of mailing and the name and

address of the mailee. If a county dismantles or removes any

dilapidated buildings, the costs to the property owner shall not

exceed the actual cost of the labor, maintenance, equipment, and any

other expenses required for the dismantling and removal of the

dilapidated buildings. If dismantling and removal of the

dilapidated buildings is done on a private contract basis, the

contract shall be awarded to the lowest and best bidder. All costs

and expenses may be paid from the general fund of the county.

5. When payment is made to the county for costs incurred, the

board of county commissioners shall file a release of lien, but if

payment attributable to the actual cost of the dismantling and

removal of the buildings is not made within six (6) months from the

date of the mailing of the statement to the owner of such property,

the board shall forward a certified statement of the amount of the

cost to the county treasurer of said county. Said costs shall be

levied on the property and collected by the county treasurer as are

other taxes authorized by law. Until finally paid, the costs and

the interest thereon shall be the personal obligation of the

property owner from and after the date of the notice of dilapidation

and lien is filed with the county clerk. In addition the cost and

the interest thereon shall be a lien against the property from the

date the notice of the lien is filed with the county clerk. Said

lien shall be coequal with the lien of ad valorem taxes and all

other taxes and special assessments and shall be prior and superior

to all other titles and liens against the property. The lien shall

continue until the cost is fully paid. At the time of collection,

the county treasurer shall collect a fee of Five Dollars ($5.00) for

each parcel of property. Said fee shall be deposited to the credit

of the general fund of the county. At any time prior to collection

as provided for in this paragraph, the county may pursue any civil

remedy for collection of the amount owing, interest and costs

thereon including an action in personam against the property owner

and an action in rem to foreclose its lien against the property. A

mineral interest, if severed from the surface interest and not owned

by the surface owner, shall not be subject to any tax or judgment

lien created pursuant to this section. Upon receiving payment, by

civil remedy the board of county commissioners shall forward to the

county treasurer a notice of such payment and shall direct discharge

of the lien.

6. The board of county commissioners may designate, by

resolution, an administrative officer or administrative body to

carry out the duties of the board of county commissioners specified

in this section. The property owner shall have the right of appeal

to the board from any order of the administrative officer or

administrative body. Such appeal shall be taken by filing written

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notice of appeal with the county clerk within ten (10) days after

the administrative order is rendered.

7. For the purposes of this section, "dilapidated building"

means a structure which through neglect or injury lacks necessary

repairs or otherwise is in a state of decay or partial ruin to such

an extent that said structure is a hazard to the health, safety, or

welfare of the general public. "Owner" means the owner of record as

shown by the most current tax rolls of the county treasurer.

8. Nothing in the provisions of this section shall prevent the

county from abating a dilapidated building as a nuisance or

otherwise exercising its duties to protect the health, safety, or
to such

an extent that said structure is a hazard to the health, safety, or

welfare of the general public. "Owner" means the owner of record as

shown by the most current tax rolls of the county treasurer.

8. Nothing in the provisions of this section shall prevent the

county from abating a dilapidated building as a nuisance or

otherwise exercising its duties to protect the health, safety, or

welfare of the general public.

9. The officers, employees or agents of the county shall not be

liable for any damages of loss of property due to the removal of

dilapidated buildings performed pursuant to the provisions of this

section or as otherwise prescribed by law.