(a) 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 office of the City Engineer and maintain the registration up to date. Further, upon registration, a general interior and exterior inspection of the building shall then be made by the City Engineer or his designee.
(b) An application for registration of a vacant building shall include all of the following information on forms provided by the office of the City Engineer:
(1) The name of the owner, agent, lessee or party in control of the property and/or foreclosing entity submitting the registration application;
(2) Physical and mailing address of the applicant as well as the address of the vacant property;
(3) The contact's name, telephone number, and e-mail address for the applicant;
(4) In the case of an applicant who does not reside in a location within twenty-five miles of the City of Portsmouth corporate limits, the applicant shall provide the name and mailing address of a property agent, manager or care taker residing or doing business within the state and within a twenty-five-mile radius of the City of Portsmouth as well as the contact's name, telephone number and e-mail address of the person responsible for the security, maintenance and marketing of the property. By designating an authorized agent under the provisions of this section, the owner is consenting to the service of any and all notices required or allowed under this chapter upon said agent;
(5) The names and addresses of all known lien holders and all other parties known or believed upon information to have a claim of an ownership interest in the building.
(c) The registration shall remain valid for twelve 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 and shall pay an annual registration fee to the City.
(d) An owner who fails to register a vacant structure under the provisions of this chapter shall further be deemed to consent to receive, by posting at this 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.
(Ord. 2021-55. Passed 8-23-21.)