(a) Application Fee. The fee for application for a Vacant Building Maintenance License is based on the duration of time the building has been ordered vacated or kept vacated, or determined to be vacant by the Code Official as provided herein, measured from the effective date of the Initial Notice from the Code Official:
(1) Nine hundred dollars ($900.00) for properties that have been vacant or ordered vacated and kept vacant during the first year of licensing from the Initial Notice date.
(2) One thousand eight hundred dollars ($1,800) for properties that have been vacant or ordered vacated and kept vacant more than one year, but less than two years from the Initial Notice date.
(3) Two thousand seven hundred dollars ($2,700) annually for properties that have been vacant or ordered vacated and kept vacated for at least two years but less than five years from the Initial Notice date.
(4) Three thousand five hundred dollars ($3,500) annually for properties that have been vacant or ordered vacated and kept vacated for at least five years from the Initial Notice date.
The fee shall be paid at the time of application and deposited in the Building Hazard Abatement Fund. Such rates shall go into effect upon the effective date of this chapter which implements the fee structure contained in this Section. Upon any initial application for a license, following the implementation of the above-listed fee structure, all applicants shall initially be required to pay the nine hundred dollars ($900.00) fee, and will thereafter pay the designated annual fee based on the graduated rate listed herein.
(b) Renewal Fee. The fee for renewal of a Vacant Building Maintenance License to be determined by the scale in subsection (a) hereof shall be paid at the time of application for renewal and deposited in the Hazard Abatement Fund. A renewal license shall expire on the annual renewal date. The annual renewal date shall be the anniversary of the date Initial Notice of determination of vacancy and/or the order to vacate is given pursuant wherein the building or portion thereof was initially ordered to be vacated or kept vacant.
(c) Late Fee. In addition to the amount assessed for the Vacant Building Maintenance License, as provided under subsections (a) and (b) hereof, the Code Official shall charge a late fee equal to the license or renewal fee or one thousand dollars ($1,000), whichever is less, if the owner fails to obtain a Vacant Building Maintenance License within the time provided herein or if the owner fails to apply for a renewal of a Vacant Building Maintenance License before the annual renewal date. The annual renewal date shall be the anniversary date of the Initial Notice as provided in Section 1341.01.
(d) Fee as a Lien. If the owner fails to pay the amount due for the Vacant Building Maintenance License, for renewal of the license, or any late fee which may be assessed, or as a fine for being out of compliance with the Vacant Building requirements, said amount shall constitute a debt due and owing to the Village, and the Village may commence a civil action to collect such unpaid debt.
(e) Refund. The Code Official shall refund the fees for a Vacant Building Maintenance License paid if the subject building is brought into compliance with standards of the Building and Property Maintenance Code and reoccupied within one year of payment of the application fee.
(Ord. 2020-2. Passed 2-24-20.)