As used in this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
ABANDONED PROPERTY: A property that is vacant and: a) is under a current notice of default and/or notice of trustee's sale; b) is the subject of a pending tax assessor's lien sale; c) has been the subject of a foreclosure sale where the title was retained by the beneficiary of a deed of trust involved in the foreclosure; d) has been transferred under a deed in lieu of foreclosure/sale, or e) is subject to a contract forfeiture. Property acquired by Spokane County at a tax foreclosure sale under Revised Code Of Washington 84.64 is not to be included within the definition of "abandoned property".
EVIDENCE OF VACANCY: Any condition that on its own or combined with other conditions present would lead a reasonable person to believe that the property is vacant and not occupied by authorized persons. Such conditions include, but are not limited to, overgrown and/or dead vegetation; accumulation of newspapers, circulars, fliers and/or mail; past due utility notices and/or disconnected utilities; accumulation of trash, junk, and/or debris; statements by neighbors, passersby, delivery agents, or government employees that the property is vacant; and for residential properties, the absence of window coverings such as curtains, blinds, and/or shutters; the absence of furnishings and/or personal items consistent with residential habitation.
LENDER: Any person who makes, extends, or holds a real estate loan agreement and includes, but is not limited to, mortgagees; beneficiaries under deeds of trust; underwriters under deeds of trust; vendors under conditional land sales contracts; trustees and a successor in interest to any mortgagee, beneficiary, vendor or trustee and any other lienholder on the property. The term also includes any mortgagee, beneficiary or trustee that accepts a deed in lieu of foreclosure.
OWNER: Any natural person, partnership, association, corporation or other entity having legal title in real property including any borrower.
PROPERTY: Any unimproved or improved, residential or commercial real property, or portion thereof, situated in the city of Liberty Lake, and includes the buildings or structures located on the property regardless of condition.
RESPONSIBLE PARTY: Any person, partnership, association, corporation, or fiduciary having legal or equitable title to or any interest in any real property, including, but not limited to, an "owner", borrower, and "lender" as defined in this section. (Ord. 238, 3-21-2017)