MS HB1281

Municipalities must conduct a hearing to determine if property is a menace to public health, safety, and welfare, either on their own motion or upon petition signed by a majority of residents within 400 feet of the property.

Property owners must receive notice by United States mail at least two weeks before the hearing (sent to both the property address and tax notice address) and by posting notice on the property and city hall for at least two weeks.

If a municipality adjudicates property as a menace, it may clean the property and impose a penalty not to exceed $1,500 or 50% of actual cleaning costs, whichever is greater; costs and penalties become a civil debt or property assessment.

For one year following the initial hearing, municipalities may reenter the property up to 6 times annually for removing dilapidated buildings/fences/toilets and up to 12 times per 24 months for grass cutting and debris removal, with total annual expenses capped at $20,000 or fair market value after cleaning, whichever is less.

The municipality may collect costs and penalties as a civil debt through court action or as a lien against the property that can be enrolled with the circuit clerk and satisfied through tax sale by the municipal tax collector.