(a) The fee for application for a Vacant Building Maintenance License is based on the duration of time the building has been ordered vacated or kept vacated as determined by the following scale:
(1) Nine hundred dollars ($900.00) for properties that have been ordered vacated or kept vacant for less than one (1) year;
(2) One thousand eight hundred dollars ($1,800.00) for properties that have been ordered vacated or kept vacant for at least one (1) year but less than two (2) years;
(3) Two thousand seven hundred dollars ($2,700.00) annually for properties that have been ordered vacated or kept vacant for at least two (2) years but less than five (5) years;
(4) Three thousand five hundred dollars ($3,500.00) annually for properties that have been ordered vacated or kept vacant for at least five (5) years.
(b) The fee shall be paid at the time of application and deposited in the Building Hazard Abatement fund. Upon any initial application for a license, or upon the first renewal of a license following the implementation of the above listed fee structure, all persons shall be required to pay the nine hundred dollar ($900.00) fee, and will thereafter pay the designated annual fee based on the graduated fees, listed herein.
(c) The fee for renewal of a Vacant Building Maintenance License to be determined by the scale in Section 1302.12(a), shall be paid at the time of application for renewal and deposited in the building hazard abatement fund.
(d) If the owner fails to obtain a Vacant Building Maintenance License within the time provided by Section 1302.07 or if the owner fails to apply for renewal of a Vacant Building Maintenance License before the annual renewal date, the Building Official shall charge a late fee equal to the license or renewal fee or one thousand dollars ($1,000), whichever is less. If the owner fails to pay the amount due for the license, for renewal of the license, or as a fine for being out of compliance with the vacant building requirements, said amount shall constitute a debt due and owing to the City, collectible pursuant to Section 1302.13.
(e) The Building Official shall refund fifty percent (50%) of the annual fee for a Vacant Building Maintenance License paid if the subject building is brought into compliance with standards of the Deer Park Building Code and Deer Park Maintenance Code and reoccupied within one (1) year of payment of the application fee.
(Ord. 2024-03. Passed 2-19-24.)