(a) The owner of a vacant building shall maintain the vacant building as follows:
(1) Grass and weeds shall be kept at a maximum height of twelve inches. Shrubbery must be kept trimmed and neat and kept from encroaching on or touching the building.
(2) All building exteriors shall have adequate weather protection, including paint, siding, and or similar finishes in good condition.
(3) All buildings and grounds must be secured against trespassers and rodents. This includes maintaining all exterior doors, windows and yard fencing in a good and secured condition. No boards, plywood or similar means or materials may be used to secure windows and doors. Doors, and/or windows that are deemed insecure shall be secured by their replacement with similar, new doors or window units equipped with locking hardware.
(4) Roofs on all buildings shall be in good, weather tight condition.
(5) Any accumulated trash or debris must be removed from the property immediately.
(6) Graffiti, tagging or similar markings must be immediately removed or painted over with an exterior grade paint that matches the exterior color of the structure.
(7) Pools and spas shall be drained and kept dry. Properties with pools and spas must comply with the minimum security fencing requirements of the City.
(8) Adherence to this section does not relieve the owner of the property of any obligations set forth in any covenants, conditions, restrictions, homeowners' association rules and regulations and/or codified ordinances or building codes which may apply to the property.
(b) Registration Required.
(1) The owner of any vacant building shall register the building with the Zoning Inspector, and maintain the registration up to date.
(2) An application for registration of a vacant building shall include all of the following information on forms provided by the City:
A. The name of the owner of the property and/or foreclosing entity submitting the registration application;
B. The direct mailing address of the applicant; P.O. boxes are not an acceptable address;
C. A contact name, telephone number and e-mail address for the applicant;
D. In the case of an applicant whose home or business address is located outside Seneca, Wood or Hancock Counties, the applicant shall provide the name and mailing address of a local property management company as well as the contact name, telephone number and e-mail address of the person responsible for the security, maintenance, and marketing of the property.
(3) Registration shall remain valid for twelve months from the date of issuance. The owner shall renew the registration upon expiration for as long as the property remains vacant.
(4) The owner shall inspect the property at least one time each month on the interior and exterior of the property to verify that the requirements of this section, the Codified Ordinances of the City, and any other applicable laws are being met. A written report of such inspections shall be provided to the City upon request.
(c) Exemptions. Waivers exempting compliance with the provisions of this Chapter can be obtained in writing on a form provided by the Zoning Inspector under the following circumstances so long as the property is kept in safe, secure, and habitable condition in the owner's absence:
(1) Fire damaged buildings: as long as clean up, repair or demolition is initiated within ninety days from the date of the fire.
(2) Extended vacationers or temporary change in living arrangements: A resident on an extended vacation or in an alternative temporary living arrangement, with the intention of re-occupying the property.
(3) The Estates/Trusts of deceased individuals who resided in the City of Fostoria, Ohio at the time of their death.
(4) A former resident of Fostoria that is actively attempting to sell their formerly owner-occupied home.
(Ord. 2015-08. Passed 4-21-15.)
(Ord. 2015-08. Passed 4-21-15.)