(A) Failure to register. Any property owner who fails to register a vacant building shall be assessed a penalty as set by resolution of the City Council, the amount of said penalty may be adjusted from time to time. Each additional month of violation after notification shall be considered a continuing violation and said penalty shall be assessed for each month of non-compliance.
(B) Failure to secure and maintain. If any property owner or any entity functioning as a trustee of an owner, or identified as a responsible trustee or building manager by the owner, having a duty to register a vacant building is found to be in violation with any portion of this chapter the owner shall accrue a penalty for failure to secure and maintain the building, the penalty of which shall be set by resolution of the City Council, the amount of said penalty may be adjusted from time to time. The Building Official shall send by first class mail a written notice of the violation and penalty to the person responsible for day-to-day supervision and management of the building or to the authorized agent for service and process and to the owner of record. Within 30 days, or an amount of time deemed appropriate by the Building Official, of the mailing of the notice of violation, the owner shall be required to restore the building in compliance with this section. Failure to secure and maintain the property as required in this section shall result in revocation of registration, causing fees for failure to comply to be issued. Nothing in this section shall deny or abrogate the prerogative of the city to correct any violation of this chapter and to assess and/or recover by judgment, liens, or other means all costs of the same from the owner or agent.
(C) Failure to comply. Any property owner or entity functioning as a trustee of an owner or entity that fails to comply with any provisions of this section shall, after 45 days from notification by the Building Official, be charged a penalty as set by resolution of the City Council, the amount of which may be adjusted from time to time, for each month the property is not in compliance with this section. The city shall charge the costs for failure to secure and maintain and costs for failure to comply to the owner and failure to pay the city any costs shall be certified by the Clerk to the County Treasurer, and assessed to the property of record, and collected in the same manner as general property taxes. However, the city may, in its complete discretion, elect to seek other remedies apart from the assessment of liens.
(D) Municipal infraction. Any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall, upon conviction, be subject to the penalties set forth in § 1-4-1 of this code of ordinances. Each day that a violation occurs or continues shall be deemed a separate offense.
(Ord. D-87, passed 5-3-2022)