For the purpose of this chapter, and the interpretation and enforcement thereof, the following terms, phrases, words and their derivations shall have the meanings given herein, unless the context in which they are used shall indicate otherwise. When not inconsistent with the context, words used in the present tense include the future, words in the singular number include the plural number, and words in the plural number include the singular number. The words "shall" and "will" are mandatory and "may" is permissive. Words not defined shall be given their common and ordinary meaning.
BUILDING: Any single-family or multi-family residential structure occupied or intended for supporting or sheltering any occupancy.
BUILDING COMMISSIONER: The building commissioner or his or her designee.
OWNER: Any person, agent, operator, firm, or corporation having a legal or equitable interest in the property; or recorded in the official records of the state, county, or village as holding title to the property; or otherwise having control of the property, including the guardian of the estate of any such person, the executor or administrator of the estate of such person if ordered to take possession of real property by a court; or any person maintaining, operating or collecting rent for any vacant building.
PERSON: Includes a corporation, a partnership, or other entity as well as an individual.
VACANT BUILDING: A single-family or multi-family residential building which is:
A. Unoccupied and unsecured; or
B. Unoccupied and secured by boarding or other similar means; or
C. Unoccupied and a dangerous structure; or
D. Unoccupied and condemned by the building commissioner pursuant to applicable law; or
E. Unoccupied and has multiple code violations; or
F. Unoccupied and the building or its premises has been the site of unlawful activity within the previous six (6) months; or
G. Condemned by the building commissioner and unlawfully occupied; or
H. Unoccupied for over ninety (90) days and during which time the building commissioner has issued an order to correct public nuisance conditions and said conditions have not been corrected in a code compliant manner; or
I. Unoccupied for over one year; or
J. A multi-family residential property containing five (5) or more building units shall be considered vacant when substantially all of the building units are unoccupied.
A vacant building shall not include unoccupied buildings which are undergoing construction, renovation, or rehabilitation and which are in compliance with all applicable village ordinances, codes, and regulations, and for which construction, renovation or rehabilitation is proceeding diligently to completion, or a building that has been used as a residence by a person entitled to possession for a period of at least three (3) months within a previous nine (9) month period and a person entitled to possession intends to resume residing at the property. (Ord. O2008-56, 10-7-2008)