Re: Due process question.
I'm not a lawyer, but have worked with some very good ones... Generally speaking, no the tenant is not required to notify the landlord first.
However it is a good idea, and wheather or not they DID could affect how the situation is handled. Without prior notice of defect, the best approach for the municipal official is to start by contacting the landlord, advising him of the violation and providing him 'reasonable opportunity to correct or abate the violation'.
If, however the tenant has documented attempt(s) at redress directly with the landlord, the municipality may want to start with a formal notice of violation and more limited time to correct or abate. With a chronic 'offender' you may even start with an appearance ticket.
I always encourage a tenant to maintain a working relationship with their landlord, but that is not always an option. Some owners are simply 'slumlords' and refuse to do the right thing without government intervention. If you are unsure of what approach to use, get your municipal attorney involved - better safe than sorry.