(A) Vacant property registration required.
(1) Vacant lot. The owner of any vacant lot to which this chapter applies shall be required to register the property within 90 days of acquisition.
(2) Vacant building. The owner of a vacant building to which this chapter applies shall be required to register the property within 90 days of becoming vacant. Upon enactment of this chapter of the city code, any vacant building must register no later than July 1, 2021.
(B) Vacant property registration form. The required form shall be completed by the property owner or agent and submitted to the Housing & Community Development Department. The owner/agent is responsible for updating the registration form annually and as changes occur. The registration form shall require information including, but not be limited to, the following:
(1) Contact information for all owners. If the owner does not reside within the state, the owner shall provide the name, address, telephone number, and email address of an agent who is available for service of process within the state. If the owner is other than a natural person or persons, the following shall apply, as appropriate:
(a) If the owner is a corporation, limited liability company, or limited or general partnership, the registration statement shall provide the names and addresses of all responsible persons and the name and business address of the registered agent for service of process appointed pursuant to the Iowa Code.
(b) If an estate, the name and address of the executor of the estate.
(c) If a trust, the names and addresses of the trustee or trustees.
(d) If a partnership, the names and addresses of the partner or partners.
(2) Contact information for a responsible person, as defined by this chapter, who is a natural person who may be contacted at all times for inspections, emergency repairs, or maintenance, and who can respond to the vacant property when requested.
(3) Proof of insurance coverage for the property including the following minimum amounts.
(a) One hundred thousand dollars in general liability coverage; and
(b) Fire and casualty coverage for all structures equal to no less than their replacement value, as determined by the applicant’s insurance provider, or a minimum of $50,000; or
(c) If insurance is not able to be obtained, a bond in the amount of $50,000 can be secured in the city’s favor to ensure all structures on the property can be properly demolished and removed in the event of destruction without taxing public resources.
(d) If neither insurance or bond is secured, an uninsured property fee will be charged annually.
(4) Proposed plans for the property and corresponding timeline for action. This may include any new construction, redevelopment, rehabilitation, or demolition plans for the property.
(5) An acknowledgment by the owner/agent that grass and weeds shall not exceed a height of ten inches and a plan for how the owner will comply with this requirement, including (if applicable) the name and telephone number of any company engaged to manage grass and weeds at the property.
(6) An acknowledgment by the owner that snow and ice shall be removed from the public right-of-way within 24 hours of snowfall and a plan for how the owner will comply with this requirement, including (if applicable) the name and telephone number of any company engaged to provide snow and ice removal services at the property.
(7) An acknowledgment by the applicant that the owner is aware of and understands the vacant property standards set forth in § 158.004.
(C) Vacant property registration fee. A registration fee shall be collected at the time of registration and annually thereafter. Failure to register a vacant property will result in the city charging an unregistered property fee. All fees will be set by resolution.
(Ord. 15019, passed 5-24-2021)