1375.05 VACANT BUILDING FEES.

   The fees shall be reasonably related to the administrative costs for registering and

processing the vacant building owner registration form and for the costs incurred by the Village in monitoring the vacant building site. The annually increased fee amounts shall be reasonably related to the costs incurred by the Village for demolition and hazard abatement of or repairs to vacant buildings, as well as the continued normal administrative costs stated above.

   (a)   The owner of a vacant commercial building shall pay an annual fee of fifty dollars ($50.00) for each year the building remain vacant.

   (b)    The first annual fee shall be paid at the time the building is registered. If the fee is not paid, the owner shall be subject to prosecution as prescribed in Section 1317.31 of the Property Maintenance Code.

   (c)    The fee shall be paid in full prior to the issuance of any zoning or building permits unless the property is granted an exemption. The fee shall be prorated and a refund may be issued if the building is no longer deemed vacant under the provisions of this chapter within 180 days of its registry.

   (d)    All delinquent fees shall be paid by the owner prior to any transfer of an ownership interest in the vacant building. A lien may be placed on the property to collect delinquent fees.

   (e)    Late fees shall be paid in addition to the annual registration and will be equal to the annual fee.
(Ord. 2012-061. Passed 9-4-12.)