(a) The owner, lessee, or party in control of any vacant building, or a mortgagee that has filed and is currently maintaining an open foreclosure action regarding a vacant building shall maintain the vacant building as follows:
(1) Grass and weeds shall be kept at a maximum height of eight (8) inches. Shrubbery must be kept trimmed and neat and kept from encroaching on or touching the building.
(2) All building exteriors shall have adequate weather protection, including paint, siding, and or similar finishes in good condition.
(3) All buildings and grounds must be secured against trespassers and rodents. This includes maintaining all exterior doors, windows and yard fencing in a good and secured condition. No boards, plywood or similar means or materials may be used to secure windows and doors. Doors, and/or windows that are deemed insecure shall be secured by their replacement with similar, new doors or window units equipped with locking hardware.
(4) Roofs on all buildings shall be in good, weather tight condition with no leakage.
(5) Any accumulated trash or debris must be removed from the property immediately.
(6) Graffiti, tagging or similar markings must be immediately removed or painted over with an exterior grade paint that matches the exterior color of the structure.
(7) Pools and spas shall be drained and kept dry. Properties with pools and spas must comply with the minimum security fencing requirements of the Village.
(b) Adherence to this section does not relieve the owner or agent in control of the property of any obligations set forth in any covenants, conditions, restrictions, homeowners' association rules and regulations and/or codified ordinances or building codes which may apply to the property.
(c) The owner, agent, lessee, party in control, or mortgagee in foreclosure of any vacant building agrees to grant unrestricted access to the vacant building; after receiving 48 hours' notice from the Village of Millersburg, for inspections and appraisals as necessary.
(d) Registration Required.
(1) The owner, agent, lessee, or party in control of any vacant building, or a mortgagee that has filed a foreclosure action that is currently pending regarding any vacant building shall register the building with the Village Administrator and maintain the registration up to date.
(2) An application for registration of a vacant building shall include all of the following information on forms provided by the Village:
A. The name of the owner, agent, lessee or party in control of the property and/or foreclosing entity submitting the registration application;
B. Physical and mailing address of the applicant as well as the address of the vacant property;
C. A contact name, telephone number and email address for the applicant;
D. In the case of an applicant whose name or business address is located outside Holmes County, the applicant shall provide the name and mailing address of a local property management company as well as the contact name, telephone number and email address of the person responsible for the security, maintenance, and marketing of the property;
E. The fee required by this Chapter.
(3) Registration shall remain valid for 12 months from the date of issuance. The owner, agent, lessee or party in control, or mortgagee in foreclosure, shall renew the registration upon expiration for as long as the property remains vacant.
(4) The owner, agent, lessee, party in control, or mortgagee in foreclosure of any vacant building, shall inspect the property at least one time each month on the interior and exterior of the property to verify that the requirements of this section, the codified ordinances of the village, and any other applicable laws are being met. A written report of such inspections shall be provided to the village upon request.
(Ord. 2015-100. Passed 2-9-15.)