For the purposes of this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings set forth below:
OWNER. Every person, entity or service company who alone or jointly or separately with others:
(1) Have the legal or equitable title to any dwelling, dwelling unit, building, land or structure;
(2) Has care, charge or control of any dwelling, dwelling unit, building, land or structure in any capacity, including but not limited to executor, administrator, trustee or guardian of the estate of the holder of legal title;
(3) Is a mortgagee under the terms of a mortgage, where the mortgagor is no longer taking responsibility for the property, and where the mortgage in question contains a provision authorizing the mortgagee to act to secure or repair the property;
(4) Is a mortgagee in possession of any such property;
(5) Is a mortgagee that has instituted proceedings against the mortgagor; or
(6) Is a trustee or other person appointed by the courts invested with possession or control of any such property.
RESPONSIBLE PARTY. Includes owners, tenants, occupiers, property managers, lessees or agents.
STATEMENT OF INTENT. A form completed by the owner, as defined, of a vacant structure or responsible party which contains specific information regarding the structure and the owners' plans for rehabilitation, maintenance, demolition and/or removal.
STRUCTURE. Any physical object or edifice that is built or installed and is located on and affixed to the land. The term STRUCTURE shall include any part of a structure.
SUBSTANTIAL REHABILITATION. Any rehabilitation, the cost of which exceeds 50% of the market value of the existing structure.
VACANT. A structure that is:
(1) Lacking the habitual presence of human beings, who have a legal right to be on the premises for 90 consecutive days;
(2) A structure at which substantially all lawful business or construction activity or residential occupancy has ceased;
(3) Which is substantially devoid of contents; or
(4) A multi-family residential property when 90% of the dwelling units are unoccupied.
For the purposes of this chapter, exceptions to the definition of vacant shall be made for properties that are actively listed for sale with a licensed realtor and for those properties which are under active, ongoing rehabilitation or reconstruction and have a current building permit issued by the appropriate jurisdiction, if required; and a single-family, owner occupied residence where the owners are temporarily absent because the owner temporarily resides at an alternative address for a portion of the year, but the property is secured and in full compliance with all other city ordinances and regulations.
VACANT STRUCTURE MAINTENANCE STANDARDS. The maintenance standards to which the vacant structures are subject under this chapter, are set forth in all of the applicable ordinances and regulations of the city and county, as amended from time to time.
VACANT STRUCTURE REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE. Document issued by the city for structures meeting the definition of VACANT STRUCTURE.
(Ord. 1077, passed 11-15-21; Am. Ord. 1093, passed 10-3-22)