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 City in monitoring the vacant building site. The annually increased fee amounts shall be reasonably related to the costs incurred by the City 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 residential building shall pay an annual fee of two hundred dollars ($200.00) for the first year the building remains vacant. For every consecutive year that the building remains vacant, the annual fee will be assessed at double the previous year's fee amount for a maximum annual fee equaling the five-year fee of three thousand two hundred dollars ($3,200) to be used for the fifth and for all consecutive, subsequent years of vacancy.
(b) The owner of a vacant commercial building shall pay an annual fee of four hundred dollars ($400.00) for the first year the building remains vacant. For every consecutive year that the building remains vacant, the annual fee will be assessed at double the previous year's fee amount for a maximum annual fee equaling the five-year fee of six thousand four hundred dollars ($6,400) to be used for the fifth and for all consecutive, subsequent years of vacancy.
(c) 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 these codified ordinances.
(d) The fee shall be paid in full prior to the issuance of any 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.
(e) 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. A hold may be placed on the transfer or activation of utilities (water and electric) until all delinquent fees have been paid.
(f) Late fees shall be paid in addition to the annual registration and will be equal to the annual fee or one thousand dollars ($1,000), whichever is less.
(Ord. 2017-02. Passed 1-17-17.)