(a) If none of the persons listed in§ 1382.04(b)(1) through (7) is shown at an address within the state, the registration statement also shall provide the name, address and telephone number of a person who resides within the state and who is authorized to accept service of process on behalf of the owners and who shall be designated as a responsible, local party or agent, both for purposes of notification in the event of an emergency affecting the public health, safety or welfare and for purposes of service of any and all notices or registration statements as herein authorized and in connection herewith.
(b) Registration shall be required for all vacant houses and buildings, whether vacant and secure, vacant and open or vacant and boarded; and shall be required whenever any building has remained vacant for 45 consecutive days or more.
(c) In no instance shall the registration of a vacant house or building, and the payment of registration fees be construed to exonerate the owner, agent or responsible party from responsibility for compliance with any other building code or housing code requirement. One registration statement may be filed to include all vacant houses and buildings of the owner so registering.
(d) The owner of the vacant property, no earlier than November 1 of each calendar year, shall be responsible for the payment of the non-refundable $500 annual registration fee. Said fee shall be billed by the Mayor and based on the duration of the vacancy as determined by the following scale and conditions:
(1) No fee for properties vacant less than 45 days if the property is actively being rented, sold or rehabilitated, and that are well-kept and maintained;
(2) Five hundred dollar annual registration fee for vacant properties where the owner of the property is maintaining it in such a condition that it is well-kept and maintained; and where the owner is in compliance with all applicable ordinances, city, state and federal tax laws; and where the owner has placed a clearly identifiable placard on the property that contains the names, addresses and telephone numbers of any and all owners as defined by this chapter;
(3) One thousand dollars annually for properties vacant and not well-kept and maintained over 45 days but less than one year;
(4) Two thousand dollars annually for properties vacant and not well-kept and maintained more than one year but less than two years;
(5) Three thousand dollars annually for properties vacant and not well-kept and maintained more than two years but less than three years;
(6) Five thousand dollars annually for properties vacant and not well-kept and maintained more than three years but less than five years; and
(7) Ten thousand dollars annually for properties vacant and not well-kept more than five years but less than ten years; plus an additional $1,000 for each year in excess of ten years.
(Ord. 15-09, passed 6-2-2009)