(a) The Owner of any structure that has become vacant as defined above shall, within thirty (30) days after the structure first becomes vacant, or within thirty (30) days of receiving notice that a structure is vacant, or within thirty (30) days after the effective date of this Chapter, whichever is later, file a registration statement for each such structure with the Code Administrator or his or her designee on forms provided for such purposes.
(1) The registration statement shall remain valid for one year from the date of registration. The registering party shall be required to annually renew the registration as long as the structure remains vacant and shall pay an annual registration fee of one hundred dollars ($100.00) for each residential structure and two hundred and fifty dollars ($250.00) for each commercial or industrial structure; provided, however, that all religious, educational, benevolent or charitable associations, and all governmental agencies shall be exempt from the payment of the annual registration fee. The registering party shall not be entitled to a refund of all or any part of the registration fee should the structure no longer be deemed vacant during the annual registration period.
(2) The owner shall notify the Code Administrator or his or her designee within twenty (20) days of any change in the registration information by filing an amended statement on a form provided for such purposes. The registration statement shall be deemed prima facie proof the statements therein contained in any administrative enforcement proceeding or court proceeding instituted by the City of Martins Ferry against the owner of the structure. An owner shall be liable under this section for failing to register a vacant structure, failing to pay an appropriate annual registration fee, or failing to timely update any change in registration.
(b) (1) In addition to other information required by the Code Administrator, the registration statement shall include the name, street address and telephone number of a natural person twenty-one years of age or older, designated by the owner as the authorized agent for receiving notices of code violations and for receiving process in any court proceeding or administrative enforcement proceeding on behalf of such owner in connection with the enforcement of this Chapter. This person must maintain an office in or reside in Ohio. An owner who is a natural person and who meets the requirements of this subsection as to location of residence or office may designate him- or herself as agent.
(2) By designating an authorized agent under the provisions of this subsection the owner is consenting to receive any and all notices of code violations concerning the registered building and all process in any court proceeding or administrative enforcement proceeding brought to enforce code provisions concerning the registered structure by service of the notice or process on the authorized agent. Any owner who has designated an authorized agent under the provisions of this subsection shall be deemed to consent to the continuation of the agent's designation for the purposes of this subsection until the owner notifies the Code Administrator or his or her designee in writing of a change of authorized agent or until the owner files a new annual registration statement. An owner shall be liable under this Section for failing to register an authorized agent.
(c) The owner of any vacant structure shall, within fifteen (15) days of registering a vacant structure, cause a physical inspection of the structure to be made and secure all exterior openings to prevent intrusion by birds, vermin and trespassers, and shall cause photographs to be taken of the property that accurately portrays the condition of the structure. Photographs shall be dated and preserved by owner. An owner shall be liable under this Section for failing to inspect the property or structure, failing to secure the structure or for failing to maintain the inspection photographs as required by this Section. The property shall be maintained free of debris and litter. Further, any standing water on the property, including but not limited to standing water in swimming pools, shall be eliminated within the fifteen day period.
(d) Any owner who fails to register a vacant structure under the provisions of this subsection shall further be deemed to consent to receive, by posting at the structure, any and all notices of code violations and all process in an administrative proceeding brought to enforce code provisions concerning the structure and premises.
(e) The Code Administrator may issue rules and regulations for the administration of this Section. These rules may designate board-up materials and methods which must be used when securing a structure beyond the standards provided so that the boarding is reasonably incapable of being removed by trespassers or others acting without the owner's consent.
(Ord. 2015-17. Passed 11-5-15.)