Unless otherwise expressly stated, the following terms shall for the purpose of this article, have the meanings indicated in this section.
(a) Secured by other than normal means- A building secured by means other than those used in the design of the building.
(b) Unoccupied- A building which is not being used for the occupancy authorized by the certificate of occupancy or by the owner.
(c) Unsecured-A building or portion of a building which is open to entry by unauthorized persons without the use of tools or ladders
(d) 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 unsafe building as determined by the Code Enforcement Officer or his designee; 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 any Property Maintenance Officer; or
(8) Unoccupied with a mortgage status of abandonment (i.e. deceased or foreclosed).
(9) Unoccupied and abandoned by the property owner.
(e) Evidence of vacancy-means 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 government employee(s) that the property is vacant.
(Ord. 3149. Passed 4-4-16.)