(a) Any building presently located within the City which is a vacant building shall be registered by the owner thereof with the Building Commissioner not later than 60 days after it becomes a vacant building, or not later than 30 days of being notified by the Building Commissioner evidence of vacancy, whichever occurs first.
(b) The registration shall be submitted on forms provided by the Building Department and shall include the following information supplied by the owner.
(1) The name(s) and address(es) of the owner or owners;
(2) If the owner/corporation does not reside in or have a principal place of business in Ohio, the name, address, phone number, emergency contact information, and email of a manager/successor agent in charge of the building who does reside in or have a principal place of business in Ohio, and resides within a 15-mile radius of the City limits of Brook Park. No occupancy permit shall be issued by the Building Department without such a designation of a manager/successor agent. By designating an authorized manager/successor agent under the provisions of this section, the owner is consenting that the manager/successor agent is authorized to receive any and all notices relating to the property and conformance of any and all ordinances;
(3) The names and addresses of all known lien holders and all other parties with an ownership interest in the building;
(4) A telephone number where a responsible party can be reached at all times during business and nonbusiness hours; and
(5) A vacant building plan as described in division (c) of this section.
(c) The owner shall submit a vacant building plan which must meet the approval of the Building Commissioner. The plan, at a minimum, must contain information from one of the following three choices:
(1) If the building is to be demolished, a demolition plan indicating the proposed time frame for demolition which includes starting within 30 days of acceptance of the proposed demolition timeline and does not exceed one year in accordance with the Ohio Building Code; or
(2) If the building is to remain vacant, a plan for the ensuring the building is secured in accordance with the property maintenance code along with the procedure that will be used to maintain the property, and a statement of the reasons why the building will be left vacant (e.g., building is for sale, etc.); or
(3) If the building is to be returned to appropriate occupancy or use, rehabilitation plans for the building and grounds. The rehabilitation plans shall not exceed six months from the time they obtain permits, unless the Building Commissioner grants an extension upon receipt of a written statement from the owner detailing the reasons for the extension. Any repairs, improvements or alterations to the property must comply with any applicable zoning, housing or building codes, and the property must be secured during the rehabilitation.
(d) All applicable laws and codes shall be complied with by the owner. The owner shall notify the Building Commissioner of any changes in information of their vacant building registration within 30 days of the change. If the plan or timetable for the vacant building is revised in any way, the revision(s) must be in writing and must meet the approval of the Building Commissioner.
(e) The owner and subsequent owners shall keep the building secured and safe and the building and grounds properly maintained in accordance with all applicable Codes.
(f) A new owner(s) shall register or re-register the vacant building with the Building Department within 30 days of any transfer of an ownership interest in the vacant building if the building continues to remain vacant after transfer. 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 Building Commissioner.
(g) The failure of the owner of the vacant building to obtain a deed for the property or to file the deed with the County Recorder shall not excuse the property owner from registering the property.
(h) Failure of the owner or any subsequent owners to maintain the building and premises that result in remedial action taken by the City shall be grounds for revocation of the approved plan and shall be subject to any applicable penalties provided by the law.
(i) The registration and all associated processes must be completed in its entirety annually for as long as the property remains vacant.
(Ord. 9920-2014. Passed 6-17-14; Ord. 11201-2021. Passed 7-20-21.)