For the purposes of this subchapter the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ACTIVELY MARKETED. A good faith effort by the owner of the property to obtain one or more occupants of the property. These good faith efforts may include, without limitation, one or more of the following:
(1) Making substantial financial expenditures in comparison with the value of the property, or
(2) Listing the property for sale or lease, or both, with one or more real estate brokers, for a price and on terms or for a rental that is realistic considering the fair market or fair market rental value of the property; or
(3) Advertising, using one or more signs in the property and at least one other medium, theavailability of the property for sale or rental for a price and on terms or at a rental that is realistic considering the fair market or fair market rental value of the property. Sporadic attempts to sell or lease the property during the privilege year may be viewed as not constituting a good faith marketing effort.
CONTINUOUSLY UNOCCUPIED. Any property which is listed during the entire privilege year as vacant in the records of the town's Department of Minimum Housing.
NONPROFIT HOUSING ORGANIZATION. Any organization exempt from taxation pursuant to Section 501C(3) of the Internal Revenue Code [26 USC sec. 501 C(3)] whose exempt purposes include the provision of affordable housing to low and moderate income households.
PRIVILEGE YEAR. The twelve-month period corresponding to the calendar year.
REVIEWING ENTITY. The reviewing entity designated by the town pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-5.1-3 shall be the Planning Board.
VACANT AND ABANDONED PROPERTY. Any property which is:
(1) A building which has remained continuously unoccupied during the privilege year or a lot, with no existing structure that is littered with trash and obviously abandoned.
(2) (a) In the case of property containing one or more buildings used in whole or in part for one or more dwelling units immediately prior to the time the property became vacant, been under continuous designation as vacant by the town Department of Minimum Housing during the privilege year; or
(b) In the case of property containing one or more buildings none of which were used in whole or in part for one or more dwelling units immediately prior to the time the property became vacant, been under continuous citation by the town for violation of minimum housing code provisions relating to health of safety of citizens during the privilege year.
(Ord. passed 9-2-03)