(a) All owners of realty within the Town of Granville that contain a Vacant Building, shall register each Vacant Building with the Town’s Building Official or his/her designee within thirty days after the structure meets the definition of a Vacant Building and on each subsequent July 1st when a Vacant Building is present on the Owner(s)’ property.
(b) Registration is required annually, and at the time the vacant structure is registered, the registration form must be accompanied by a registration fee in the amount prescribed by this section. The registration form shall require information from the registrant deemed necessary by the Building Official, Fire Chief, and Police Chief of the Town, to ensure that the purpose of this article is met. The contents of the form shall enable Town Officers to determine the structural integrity of the building, any repairs necessary to ensure its structural integrity, that it will be safe for entry, and that the building and its contents do not present a hazard to the public. The above named officers, or their designees, shall have the authority to issue orders to the Owner or Owner’s local agent for corrective action deemed necessary. The Building Inspector and Fire Chief shall rely upon the West Virginia State Building Code and Fire Codes, as well as other applicable law, for guidance during any structural review.
(c) Registration Statement and Fees; Local Agent.
(1) A registration statement in the form prescribed by the Town must be filed by the Owner or Owner’s local agent for all Vacant Buildings. Registration and payment of fees does not exonerate the owner, agent or responsible party from penalties for failure to comply with any building, housing, or fire code requirement. One registration statement may be filed to include all Vacant Buildings of an Owner, but a separate fee is assessed for each Vacant Building.
(2) The Owner(s) of the property on which a Vacant Building exists at the time registration is required shall be responsible, jointly and severally, for payment of the non-refundable registration fee; provided, that the Town may not collect any amount exceeding the total prescribed fee. The fee shall be due upon registration in the following amount for each Vacant Building:
A. No fee for properties that are vacant for less than one (1) year;
B. One hundred dollars ($100.00) for properties that are vacant for at least one (1) year but less than two (2) years;
C. Two hundred dollars ($200.00) for properties that are vacant for at least two (2) years but less than three (3) years;
D. Three hundred dollars ($300.00) for properties that are vacant for at least three (3) years but less than four (4) years;
E. Four hundred dollars ($400.00) for properties that are vacant for at least four (4) years but less than five (5) years; and
F. Five hundred dollars ($500.00) for properties that are vacant for at least five (5) years.
(3) If the Owner of property on which a Vacant Building exists does not certify on the registration form that the Owner is a resident of the state and capable of accepting service of process related to the Vacant Building, the registration statement also shall provide the name and address of a person who resides within the state and who is authorized to accept service of process on behalf of the property owners and who shall be designated as a responsible local agent for purposes of notification in the event of an emergency affecting the public health, safety or welfare and for purposes of service of any and all notices or registration statements related to the Vacant Building. (Passed 9-24-19.)