(a) If the owner of the property is shown at an address outside the State of Ohio, the registration statement also shall provide the name, address and telephone number of a person who resides within the state and who is authorized to accept service of process on behalf of the owners and who shall be designated as a responsible, local party or agent, both 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 as herein authorized and in connection herewith.
Out of Area Owner Language:
(b) If a vacant property is owned by a corporation and/or out-of-area beneficiary/trustee/owner, a local property management company shall be contracted to perform inspections every six (6) months to verify that the requirements of this chapter, and any other applicable laws, are being met.
(1) All vacant property shall be posted with name and 24-hour contact phone number of the owner or the local property management company. The posting shall be no less than 18 inches by 24 inches and shall be of a font that is legible from the city public right of way and shall contain along with the name and 24-hour contact number the words “THIS PROPERTY MANAGED BY” and “TO REPORT PROBLEMS OR CONCERNS CALL.” The posting shall be placed on the interior of a window facing the street to the front of the property so it is visible from the street, or secured to the exterior of the building/structure facing the street to the front of the property so it is visible from the street or, if no such area exists, on a stake of sufficient size to support the posting in a location that is visible from the street to the front of the property but not readily accessible to vandals. Exterior posting must be constructed of and printed with weather resistant materials.
(2) “Out-of-area” owner means an owner that lives outside the State of Ohio.
(c) Registration shall be required for all vacant houses and buildings, whether vacant and secure, vacant and open or vacant and boarded; and shall be required whenever any building has remained vacant for 45 consecutive days or more. A house must be vacant for one year prior to registration being required.
In no instance shall the registration of a vacant house or building, and the payment of registration fees be construed to exonerate the owner, agent or responsible party from responsibility for compliance with any other building code or housing code requirement. One registration statement may be filed to include all vacant houses and buildings of the owner so registering.
The owner of the vacant property, no earlier than November 1 of each calendar year, shall be responsible for the payment of the non-refundable five hundred dollars ($500.00) annual registration fee. Said fee shall be billed through the Community Development Department and based on the duration of the vacancy as determined by the following scale and conditions:
(1) No fee for properties vacant less than 365 days if the property is actively being rented, sold or rehabilitated, and that are well-kept and maintained;
(2) Five hundred dollars ($500.00) annual registration fee for vacant commercial properties where the owner of the property is maintaining it in such a condition that it is well-kept and maintained; and where the owner is in compliance with all applicable ordinances, city, state and federal tax laws; and where the owner has placed a clearly identifiable placard on the property that contains the names, addresses and telephone numbers of any and all owners as defined by this ordinance;
(3) One thousand dollars ($1,000) annually for commercial properties vacant and not well-kept and maintained over 45 days but less than one year;
(4) Fifty dollars ($50.00) annually registration fee for residential vacant properties where the owner of the property is maintaining it in such a condition that it is well-kept and maintained; and where the owner is in compliance with all applicable ordinances, city, state and federal tax laws; and where the owner has placed a clearly identifiable placard on the property that contains the names, addresses and telephone numbers of any and all owners as defined by this ordinance;
(5) Two hundred dollars ($200.00) annually for residential properties vacant and not well-kept and maintained over 45 days but less than one year.
(Ord. 2011-124. Passed 12-14-11.)