The fees shall be reasonably related to the administrative costs for registering and processing the vacant structure owner registration form and for the costs incurred by the Village in monitoring the vacant structure site. The annually increased fee amounts shall be reasonably related to the costs incurred by the Village for demolition and hazard abatement of or repairs to vacant structures, as well as the continued normal administrative costs stated above.
(a) The owner of a vacant residential structure shall pay an annual fee of: five hundred dollars ($500.00) for the first year the structure remains vacant; one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) for the second year the structure remains vacant; one thousand eight hundred dollars ($1,800.00) for the third year the structure remains vacant; two thousand six hundred dollars ($2,600.00) for the fourth year the structure remains vacant; and three thousand two hundred dollars ($3,200.00) for every consecutive year thereafter that the structure remains vacant.
(b) The owner of a vacant commercial structure shall pay an annual fee of: five hundred dollars ($500.00) for the first year the structure remains vacant; one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) for the second year the structure remains vacant; one thousand eight hundred dollars ($1,800.00) for the third year the structure remains vacant; two thousand six hundred dollars ($2,600.00) for the fourth year the structure remains vacant; and three thousand two hundred dollars ($3,200.00) for every consecutive year thereafter that the structure remains vacant.
(c) The first annual fee shall be paid at the time the structure is registered. If the fee is not paid, the owner shall be subject to prosecution as prescribed herein.
(d) The fee shall be paid in full prior to the issuance of any structure permits unless the property is granted an exemption. The fee shall be prorated, and a refund may be issued if the structure is no longer deemed vacant under the provisions of this Chapter within 180 days of its registry.
(e) All delinquent fees shall be paid by the owner prior to any transfer of an ownership interest in the vacant structure. A lien may be placed on the property to collect delinquent fees.
(f) Late fees shall be paid in addition to the annual registration and will be equal to the annual fee or one thousand dollars ($1,000.00), whichever is less.
(Ord. 2018-17. Passed 9-13-18; Ord. 2019-05. Passed 3-14-19.)