If, after a preliminary investigation of any building or premises, the director finds that it is unfit, substandard, boarded-up, required to be boarded-up, or a nuisance, he or she shall cause the owners to be served, either personally or by first class and certified mail with return receipt requested, and shall post in a conspicuous place on such property a complaint stating in what respect such building is unfit for human habitation or other use or is substandard or that it is or should be a boarded-up building or that the premises is a nuisance. If the whereabouts of such person is unknown and cannot be ascertained by the director in the exercise of reasonable diligence, he or she shall make an affidavit to that effect, then the serving of such complaint or order upon such person may be made either by personal service or by mailing a copy of the notice and orders by certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, to each person at the address appearing on the last equalized tax assessment roll of the county, or at the address known to the county assessor. A copy of the notice and order shall also be mailed, addressed to each person or party having a recorded right, title, estate, lien, or interest in the property. Such complaint shall contain a notice that a hearing will be held before the hearing examiner at a place therein fixed, not less than 10 days nor more than 30 days after the service of such complaint; that all parties in interest shall be given the right to file an answer to the complaint, and to appear in person or otherwise and give testimony at the time and place fixed in the complaint. A copy of such complaint shall also be filed with the auditor of Snohomish County, and such filing of the complaint and order shall have the force and effect of lis pendens. (Ord. 3006 § 8 (Exh. H), 2013; Ord. 2012 § 1, 1994)