1343.03 VACANT PROPERTY/BUILDING REGISTRATION.

   (a) An owner of a structure which meets the definition of "vacant" residential, commercial or industrial property as set forth in this chapter shall register such structure with the Dover Building Department upon the earliest of the following events:

      (1)   Not later than ninety (90) days after it becomes vacant; or

      (2)   Not later than thirty (30) days of being notified by the Building and Zoning Administrator of the requirement to register based on evidence of vacancy; or

      (3)   Not later than thirty (30) days of the issuance of an order to vacate by the Building and Zoning Administrator under Dover Codified Ordinance Section 1355.07.

   (b) The registration shall be submitted on forms provided by the Dover Building Department and shall include the following information provided by the owner:

      (1)   The name(s), address(es), phone number(s) and email address(es) of the owner or owners;

      (2)   If the owner does not reside in Dover or within forty-five (45) miles of the City of Dover corporate limits, a property agent, manager or caretaker residing in or doing business within the State and within said 45-mile radius shall be designated and identified by name, address, email address, and telephone number. By designating an authorized agent under the provisions of this section, the owner is consenting to the service of any and all notices required or allowed under this Chapter upon said agent;

      (3)   The names and addresses of all known lien holders and all other parties known or believed upon information to have a claim of ownership interest in the building;

      (4)   A telephone number where a responsible party can be reached at all times during business and non-business hours; and

   (c)   All applicable laws and codes shall be complied with by the owner. The owner shall notify the Building and Zoning Department of any changes in the information of their vacant building registration within thirty (30) days of the change. If the plan or timetable for the vacant building is revised in any way, the revision(s) must be in writing and must meet the approval of the Building and Zoning Administrator.

   (d)   The owner and subsequent owners or banks/agents shall keep the building secure and safe and the building and grounds properly maintained in accordance with all applicable Property Maintenance Codes set forth in Chapter 1327 of the Dover Codified Ordinances.

   (e)   A new owner(s) shall register or re-register the vacant building with the Building and Zoning Department within ninety (90) days of any transfer of an ownership interest in the vacant building if the building continues to remain vacant after transfer. If fees were paid upon or prior to the transfer of an ownership interest, the new owner(s) will not be required to pay for re-registering the property until such time that the registration fee is due based on the original date of vacancy. This does not mean they do not have to register within ninety (90) days as specified above.

   (f)   The failure of the owner of the vacant building to obtain a deed for the property or to file the deed with the County Recorder shall not excuse the property owner from registering the property.

   (g)    Failure of the owner or any subsequent owners to maintain the building and premises that result in remedial action taken by the City shall be subject to any applicable penalties provided by the law.

   (h)   The registration and all associated processes must be completed in its entirety annually for as long as the property remains vacant.

   (i)   The registration required by this Chapter shall be for the period January 1 through December 31 of each year and shall be renewed annually for as long as the residential, commercial or industrial property remains subject to the registration requirement of this Chapter.

   (j)   Failure to register any vacant residential, commercial or industrial property pursuant to subsection (a) hereof, or failure to renew any registration by March 1 pursuant to subsection (i) hereof, will result in a late fee in an amount that is one-half the required registration fee of the respective year, which shall be in addition to the required registration fee for the vacant residential, commercial or industrial property.

(Ord. 71-22. Passed 12-19-22.)