The fees shall be reasonably related to the administrative costs for registering and processing the vacant building owner registration form and for the costs incurred by the village in monitoring the vacant building site. The annually increased fee amounts shall be reasonably related to the costs incurred by the village for demolition and hazard abatement of repairs to vacant buildings, as well as the continued administrative costs stated above.
(A) The owner of a vacant residential building shall pay an annual fee of $200 for the first year the building remains vacant. For every consecutive year that the building remains vacant, the annual fee will be assessed at double the previous year's fee amount for a maximum annual fee equaling the five-year fee of $3,200 to be used for the fifth and for all consecutive, subsequent years of vacancy.
(B) The owner of a vacant commercial building shall pay an annual fee of $400 for the first year the building remains vacant. For every consecutive year that the building remains vacant, the annual fee will be assessed at double the previous year's fee amount for a maximum annual fee equaling the five-year fee of $6,400 to be used for the fifth and for all consecutive, subsequent years of vacancy.
(C) The owner of a vacant industrial building shall pay an annual fee of $800. For every consecutive year that the building remains vacant, the annual fee will be assessed at double the previous year's fee amount for a maximum annual fee equaling the five-year fee of $12,800 to be used for the fifth and for all consecutive, subsequent years of vacancy.
(D) The fee shall be paid in full prior to the issuance of any building permits unless the property is granted an exemption. The fee shall be prorated, and a refund may be issued if the building is no longer deemed vacant under the provisions of this chapter within 180 days of its registry.
(E) All delinquent fees shall be paid by the owner prior to any transfer of an ownership interest in the vacant building. A lien may be placed on the property to collect delinquent fees. A hold may be placed on the transfer or activation of utilities (water and sewer) until all delinquent fees are paid.
(F) Late fees shall be paid in addition to the annual registration and will be equal to the annual fee or $1,000, whichever is less.
(G) All liens and delinquent fees shall be assessed and collected in accordance with Chapter 152 of the Codified Ordinances of the Village of Archbold and R.C. § 715.261.
(Ord. 2024-24, passed 5-6-2024) Penalty, see § 154.99