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 city in monitoring the vacant building site. The annually increased fee amounts shall be reasonably related to the costs incurred by the city for demolition and hazard abatement of or repairs to vacant buildings, as well as the continued normal administrative costs stated above.
(a) The owner or person in control 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 or person in control of a vacant commercial building shall pay an annual fee of $800 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 four-year fee of $6,400, to be used for the fourth and for all consecutive subsequent years of vacancy.
(c) The first annual fee shall be paid at the time the building is registered. If the fee is not paid it is considered delinquent and the owner or person in control shall be subject to prosecution as prescribed in Section 1351.22. The annual fee shall remain due and payable.
(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 or person in control prior to any transfer of an ownership interest in the vacant building. A lien may be placed on the property to collect delinquent fees. All buyers of property are required to receive a statement from the City stating that there are no delinquent annual fees on the property to be purchased and, if not, shall take the property subject to the fee. However, the prior owner shall remain liable for the fee as well.
(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.
(Ord. 31-18. Passed 6-11-18.)