(A) Whenever each and every rental unit owned by an owner, as defined herein, is vacant for a continuous period of six months (180 days) or longer or each and every rental unit so owned becomes uninhabitable because of fire or other causes beyond the control of the owner or whenever each and every rental unit so owned is occupied for a continuous period in excess of six months (180 days) by a person who pays no rent or performs no service in lieu of rent and the owner receives no benefit from the presence of the person or persons upon the premises, an abatement of the licensing fee may be issued, by the city’s Building Inspector or his or her assistant, upon inspection of each and every rental unit so owned.
(B) Before any abatement is granted, a fee of $5 must be paid to the City Comptroller for an inspection to be performed and a request must be made in writing and contain the reasons for the abatement; the name, address and phone number of the applicant; agreement to allow during any granted abatement period inspection of the rental unit or rental units by the city upon 24-hour notice or other time mutually agreed to, but not exceeding 72 hours from the time of the notice, to confirm that each and every rental unit owned by the owner continues to meet the abatement criteria and provide copies of the monthly utility bills, if any, during the abatement period, if the reason for the abatement is that the rental unit or rental units are not inhabited or are uninhabitable; and agreement that any violation of any one or more of the provisions for abatement will make the abatement null and void and all charges, fees, penalties and interest for licensing fees and non-payment of same shall immediately be assessed and become due and payable.
(C) Any abatement request that is allowed shall terminate upon the violation, directly or indirectly, by the owner of any of the terms and provisions heretofore stated for granting the abatement, the issuance of an occupancy permit allowing occupancy of any owned rental unit to any degree, or the passage of 12 months from the effective date of the abatement, whichever comes first. All abatements, no matter when granted, must be renewed on or before July 1 of each year, with payment of the required $5 inspection fee due in full at that time.
(Ord. 1302, passed 3-27-1996)