Maine Revised Statutes

1. Commencement of action.  A municipality, acting through its building official, code enforcement officer, fire chief or municipal officers, shall file a verified complaint setting forth such facts as would justify a conclusion that a building or structure is "dangerous," as that term is defined in section 2851; and shall state in the complaint that the public health, safety or welfare requires the immediate removal of that building or structure.

2. Order of notice.  Whenever a complaint is filed under this section, the justice before whom it is brought, acting ex parte, shall promptly issue an order:

3. Enlargement of time; default.  The court may for good cause shown enlarge the time for the hearing. If the owner or parties-in-interest, or any of them, fail to answer, if an answer is required, or fail to appear as directed, or to attend the hearing at the time appointed or as enlarged, the court shall order a default judgment to be entered with respect to the owner or parties-in-interest.

4. Hearing.  After hearing, the court shall enter judgment. If the judgment requires removal of the building or structure, the court shall award costs to the municipality as authorized by this subchapter. The award of costs may be contested and damages sought in a separate action to the extent permitted by subsection 7.

5. Appeal.  No judgment requiring demolition issued pursuant to this section may be appealed. The owner of a building or structure which is the subject of an order issued under this section, or a party-in-interest, may appeal the award of costs, if any, or seek damages for wrongful removal pursuant to subsection 7.

6. Stay.  No judgment authorizing demolition may be stayed pending appeal, unless the court first determines that granting a stay would not pose a significant risk to the public health, safety or welfare.

7. Damages.  Any complaint that either seeks damages for the wrongful removal of a building or structure or challenges the award of costs must be filed no later than 30 days from the date of the judgment or order that is the subject of the appeal. The damages that may be awarded for wrongful demolition are limited to the actual value of the structure at the time of its removal. The provisions of Title 14, section 7552 do not apply. If the municipality should prevail, the court may award it its costs in defending any appeal which may include, but are not limited to, reasonable attorney's fees.