(A) Within 60 calendar days after the effective date of this chapter, the Building Commissioner shall evaluate all buildings in the village that he or she believes to be unoccupied as of the effective date of this chapter and shall make a determination for each as to whether the building is a vacant building as defined in § 161.03. The Building Commissioner may determine that a building that meets any of the criteria set forth in § 161.03 is not to be regulated under this chapter for a stated period if, upon consideration of reliable, substantiated and sufficient evidence, he or she determines that regulation of the building under this chapter would not serve the public health, welfare and safety. The determination shall be in writing and shall contain written findings in support of his or her decision, including the factual basis for the determination. For buildings the Building Commissioner determines to be vacant buildings, he or she shall, within ten business days of making that determination, send notice of his or her written determination, containing the factual findings, to the last taxpayer of record listed on the most recent Cook County tax roll. This notice of determination shall be sent via first class United States mail, with proper postage prepaid. Failure of delivery shall not excuse a person from complying with this chapter. The Building Commissioner may personally serve or cause personal service of the notice of determination. Any person making such service shall execute an affidavit attesting to the facts of service. The Building Commissioner shall maintain an affidavit of such mailing for each notice of determination sent.
(B) The notice shall specify a date and time on which the owner shall allow for a code compliance inspection of the interior of the vacant building to determine the extent of compliance with this code and other applicable ordinances, codes, statutes, laws, orders, rules and regulations, including village and state building, health, fire, water and sewer codes. The owner shall pay an inspection fee as set forth in § 150.17 at the time that the inspection is scheduled. All unpaid fees shall be liens upon the premises.
(C) The notice shall contain a statement of the obligations of the owner of the vacant building, a copy of the registration form the owner is required to file pursuant to § 161.06, and a notice of the owner’s right to appeal the Building Commissioner’s determination.
(Ord. 2215, passed 3-5-2015)