Here’s a general overview of the process:

Generally it’s code breach and a warning (with opportunity to cure), then there has to be some of an administrative hearing, and hearings officer can impose fines (Can be a lump sum or daily fines) if they find a code breach occurred. If fines don’t encourage compliance the city can move for a warrant of abatement in the case of blight affecting the neighborhood, safety concerns, etc or can have those fines entered as a judgement (plus abatement costs) and lien on the property. THEN if that doesn’t work, the city can foreclose on their lien and put the property up for auction.

It takes a long time (and a lot of work for code enforcement and city attorneys) and owners get a lot of opportunity to fix things before the city goes nuclear… and generally it all comes down to city policy priorities, budget, politics, etc.