(A) The owner shall register with the enforcement officer not later than 30 days after any building in the city becomes a vacant building, as defined in § 150.16 of this code.
(B) The registration shall be submitted on forms provided by the enforcement officer and shall
include the following information supplied by the owner:
(1) A description of the premises;
(2) The names and addresses of the owner or owners;
(3) The names and addresses of all known lienholders and all other parties with an ownership interest in the building;
(4) The period of time the building is expected to remain vacant; and
(5) A plan and timetable for returning the building to appropriate occupancy or use and/or for demolition of the building.
(C) The owner shall order and pay for a code compliance inspection within 60 days after the designation of any building or portions thereof classified as a vacant building. The code compliance inspection is required regardless of the building’s legal occupancy standard or intended use. Owners of vacant buildings on the effective date of this subchapter that have not ordered a code compliance inspection shall have 60 days following the effective date of this subchapter to order and pay for a code compliance inspection.
(D) In order to decrease the risk of fire, explosion or dangerous conditions, the owner shall install an excess flow automatic gas shut-off valve (“excess flow valve”) on the building’s gas piping immediately downstream of the gas meter outlet within 60 days after the designation of any building or portions thereof classified as a category II or a category III vacant building. If the owner fails to install an excess flow valve, the enforcement officer, under the authority of this code, may install the excess flow valve on the building and enter the building if necessary. The costs incurred by the city for installation of the excess flow valve shall be assessed against the property as a summary nuisance abatement under the provisions of the city code. Owners of category II or III vacant buildings with active water and gas service on the effective date of this subchapter shall have 60 days following the effective date of this subchapter to install an excess flow valve. Prior to installation of the excess flow valve, the owner or another who can demonstrate a secured interest in the property must obtain the required permits from the Department of Safety and Inspections. Any excess flow valve model must be approved and installed as required by the Department of Safety and Inspections.
(E) The procedures in division (D) above may not be followed under the following conditions.
(1) If the enforcement officer determines that failure to install an excess flow valve constitutes an immediate danger or hazard which if not immediately addressed will endanger the health or safety of the public, the city may proceed with an emergency abatement.
(2) The owner or another who can demonstrate a secured interest in the property shall be exempt from the requirements of division (D) above if the following conditions are met:
(a) The owner or another who can demonstrate a secured interest in the property has registered the building as a vacant building with the enforcement officer; and
(b) After registration, the owner or another who can demonstrate a secured interest in the property has received or ordered a code compliance inspection and has shut off gas service and winterized the property.
(F) (1) For all vacant buildings that have code violations, the owner shall submit a plan to address the violations and a timetable which must meet the approval of the enforcement officer.
(2) The enforcement officer shall require completion of the plan within a reasonable period of time, up to 365 days. Any repairs, improvements or alterations to the property must comply with any applicable housing or Building Codes.
(G) All applicable laws and codes shall be complied with by the owner. The owner shall notify the enforcement officer of any changes in information supplied as part of the vacant building registration within 30 days of the change. If the plan or timetable for the vacant building is revised in any way, the revisions must meet the approval of the enforcement officer.
(H) The owner and the subsequent owners shall keep the building secured and safe and the building and ground properly maintained until the plan has been completed.
(I) (1) The new owner(s) shall register or re-register the vacant building with the enforcement officer within 30 days of any transfer of an ownership interest in a vacant building.
(2) The new owner(s) shall comply with the approved plan and timetable submitted by the previous owner until any proposed changes are submitted and meet the approval of the enforcement officer.
(J) Vacant building fees are as follows.
(1) The owner of a vacant building shall pay an annual registration fee of $500 each year the building remains a vacant building. The registration fee is intended to at least partially recoup, and shall be reasonably related to the administrative costs for registering and processing the vacant building owner registration form and for the costs of the city in monitoring the vacant building site.
(2) The first annual fee shall be paid no later than 30 days after the building becomes vacant. If the fee is not paid within 30 days of being due, the owner shall be subject to prosecution as prescribed in § 150.99 of this code.
(3) The fee shall be paid in full prior to the issuance of any building permits, with the exception of a demolition permit.
(4) All delinquent fees shall be paid by the owner prior to any transfer of an ownership interest in any vacant building. If the fees are not paid prior to any transfer, the new owner shall pay the annual fee no later than 30 days after the transfer of ownership and subsequent annual fees shall be due on the original anniversary date.
(K) The enforcement officer shall include in the file any property-specific written statements from community organizations, other interested parties or citizens regarding the history, problems, status or blighting influence of a vacant building.
(L) Any building or portion of a building classified as a vacant building under this subchapter shall be posted with a placard by the enforcement officer, unless it is determined by the city that the placard would further detract from the character and attractiveness of the area.
(Ord. 03-2019, passed 6-18-2019)