(a) The owner of a building or structure kept vacant by the owner, or ordered in whole or in part vacated or kept vacant by the Building Official, shall apply for a Vacant Building Maintenance License. The owner shall also cause the premises to conform to the minimum standards of safety and structural integrity set forth in Section 1302.10.
(b) The owner of a building or structure kept vacant or ordered in whole or in part vacated or kept vacant by the Building Official pursuant to Chapter 1302, including, but not limited to, buildings designed for multi-family dwelling units (four (4) or more), manufacturing, industrial, storage, or commercial uses and their accessory structures, shall acquire or maintain not less than one million dollars ($1,000,000) of general liability insurance and not less than three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000) general liability insurance for residential single family, two, or three family dwelling units and their accessory structures
Any insurance policy acquired after an order to vacate or to keep the building vacant shall provide written notice to the Building Official within thirty (30) days of any lapse, cancellation, or change in coverage. Upon request, the owner shall provide evidence of the insurance to the Building Official.
(c) An owner who keeps a property vacant for more than ninety (90) consecutive days shall apply for a Vacant Building Maintenance License and obtain liability insurance in the amount required by subsection (b) within thirty (30) days from the date of issuance of the initial order to vacate the building or portion thereof. The owner shall cause the premises to conform to the minimum standards of safety and structural integrity set forth in Section 1302.10 within sixty (60) days from the date of the issuance of the initial order to vacate the building or portion thereof. The Building Official may extend the time in writing, upon the owner showing good cause for extension. Any such extensions of time shall not exceed a total of 180 days, following the expiration of the sixty (60) day period.
(d) If the owner of a vacant building fails to comply with Section 1302.07(b) or Section 1302.10 or fails to renew the license as provided in Section 1325.10 prior to the annual renewal date or due date, the Building Official may charge the owner or person in control with failure to comply with orders pursuant to Section 1302.99 and take other action as authorized by this Chapter. The annual renewal date shall be the anniversary of the date that the building or portion thereof was initially ordered to be vacated or kept vacant.
(e) The owner may apply for up to a one (1) year waiver of the license fee if the owner demonstrates with satisfactory proof that the owner has both a development plan and a satisfactory financing commitment in place. The owner will apply for this waiver with the Building Official who will make a recommendation to the Board of Zoning Appeals, which shall determine whether a waiver shall be granted upon each application. During the waiver period, the property shall comply with all applicable provisions of the Deer Park Property Maintenance Code. An owner may apply for an extension of the waiver for up to an additional twelve (12) months through the Board of Zoning Appeals.
(Ord. 2024-03. Passed 2-19-24.)