(A) All buildings presently located within the village which are “vacant” as defined in this subchapter or which hereafter become “vacant” shall be registered by the owner thereof within 30 days from date of their last occupancy with the Chief Building Official.
(B) Registration shall be made on forms supplied by the Chief Building Official and shall include:
(1) A description of the premises;
(2) The names and addresses of the owners of the premises;
(3) The names and addresses of the person or persons who shall be responsible for compliance with this subchapter;
(4) The period of time for which the premises are to remain vacant; and
(5) A plan for conforming the premises to applicable minimum housing, health, fire and safety laws and regulations.
(C) Upon registration of any building pursuant to this subchapter, or when any such vacant building comes to his or her attention, the Chief Building Official shall cause inspections to be made of the premises to determine the condition of such building and premises and whether there exists any fire, safety or health hazards upon the premises, and shall provide notices to the owners thereof to comply with the provisions of this subchapter.
(D) As a minimum requirement, all vacant buildings as defined in this subchapter shall conform to the following requirements:
(1) The interior of the building, to include any garage area, shall be cleaned and free of debris;
(2) The grounds of the premises shall be kept free of weeds and debris and the grass shall be mowed during summer months and the public sidewalks free of snow and ice during the winter months; and
(3) No junk cars shall be parked on the premises.
(E) All buildings, which in addition to being “vacant” as defined in this subchapter, are also open and unsecured to trespass, shall additionally meet the following requirements:
(1) All windows and doors on the ground floor area, including basement and garage, shall be boarded up and secured with minimum one-half inch sheathing grade plywood; and
(2) The sheathing shall be applied in a neat and orderly manner, cut to the size of the opening.
(F) The plan required in division (B)(5) above shall be reviewed and approved by the Chief Building Official and implemented and completed within six months of the date that the building is registered under this subchapter. Upon application by the owner, the Board of Building Appeals may extend the period of compliance for an additional six months; provided, however, that such extension shall be granted only where the owner has demonstrated a good faith effort to comply with the plan that has been filed pursuant to this subchapter.
(G) The fee for each quarter of the year or fraction thereof for which such vacant or unoccupied building is registered shall be $50 per calendar quarter. The owner of any building that is required to be registered by this subchapter may, upon the showing of financial hardship, have the payment of registration fees waived or deferred upon recommendation by the Board of Building Appeals. If any registration is not made within the time set forth in this subchapter, the required fee shall be increased an additional $10 each month for the period of time that the registration is delinquent.
(H) No registration shall be assignable. If the names or addresses of any of the persons required as part of the registration change, a new registration shall be properly made within ten days from the date of such change in the same manner and form as herein prescribed.
(Ord. 08-05, passed 9-12-2005) Penalty, see § 150.99