For the purposes of this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them by this section:
(a) EVIDENCE OF VACANCY: Any condition that on its own or combined with other conditions present would lead a reasonable person to believe the property is vacant. Such conditions include, but are not limited to: significantly below standard utility usage, overgrown and/or dead vegetation, accumulation of newspapers, circulars, flyers and/or mail, accumulation of trash, junk, and/or debris, broken or boarded up windows, abandoned vehicles, auto parts or materials, the absence of window coverings, such as curtains, blinds, and/or shutters, the absence of furnishings and/or personal items consistent with habitation or occupation, statement(s) by governmental employee(s) that the property is vacant.
(b) OWNER: Any and every person, entity, bank, or service company, who alone or severally with others:
(1) Has legal or equitable title to any dwelling, dwelling unit, building, structure, or parcel of land; or
(2) Has care, charge or control of any dwelling, dwelling unit, building, structure, or parcel of land, in any capacity, including but not limited to agent, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian of the estate of the holder of legal title; or
(3) Is a mortgagee in possession of any such property; or
(4) Is an agent, trustee, receiver, or other person appointed by the courts and vested with possession or control of any such property.
(c) PERSON: Means a natural person or any legal entity, including but not limited to a corporation, firm, partnership, estate, trust or association.
(d) SECURED BY OTHER THAN NORMAL MEANS: A building secured by means other than those used in the design of the building.
(e) UNOCCUPIED: A building which is not being used for the occupancy authorized by the owner.
(f) UNSECURED: A building or portion of a building which is open to entry by unauthorized persons.
(g) VACANT BUILDING: A building (excluding government-owned buildings) which is:
(1) Unoccupied and unsecured; or
(2) Unoccupied and secured by other than normal means; or
(3) Unoccupied and an unsafe building as determined by the Building Commissioner; or
(4) Unoccupied and having utilities disconnected; or
(5) Unoccupied and has housing or building code violations; or
(6) Illegally occupied, which shall include loitering and vagrancy; or
(7) Unoccupied for a period of time over ninety (90) days and having an existing code violation issued by a Property Maintenance Officer; or
(8) Unoccupied and abandoned by the property owner.
(Ord. 9920-2014. Passed 6-17-14.)