All vacant properties located within the City shall be registered as such. As set forth below, registration shall consist of completion and submission to the City of the registration form and vacant property plan ("Plan"), completion and passage of the necessary inspections, and payment of all necessary fees. Registration shall be valid for a period of 12 months.
Thereafter, if the structure remains vacant, the owner shall renew the registration of same, as set forth below.
(a) Registration of Vacant Structures.
(1) Initial Registration.
A. Within ten (10) days of the property becoming vacant or within 10 calendar days of the date shown on a written notice from Code Enforcement to the owner of the existence of a vacant structure, the Owner shall submit a registration form and approved plan to the Department, allow the City to conduct the initial inspection and pay all applicable fees. The fees for residential and commercial registration and inspections will be set forth in the schedule of fees adopted by the Mayor and Council.
B. The Owner registering a vacant structure shall supply the following information on an authorized form provided by the Department:
1. Name, address and telephone number of the owner;
2. Name, address and telephone number of any property manager, if applicable;
3. Name, address and telephone number of any agent or representative of the owner, if applicable;
4. Name, address and telephone number of all persons with any legal interest in the property, building or premises, including mortgagees and successors in interest;
5. Legal description and permanent parcel number of the premises on which the building or structure is located;
6. The common address of the property;
7. Date on which the building or structure became vacant; and
8. Vacant structure Plan.
(2) Vacant Structure Plan.
A. At the time a building or structure is registered as required above, the Owner shall submit to the Department a Plan. The Plan shall include at least the following:
1. The length of time the Owner expects the vacancy to continue;
2. The proposed rehabilitation or improvements, if any, to be made to the structure so as to make the structure suitable for its intended use and the time schedule for same;
3. A letter of written consent by the Owner granting permission for City officials to enter and inspect the property and all structures upon it during the period of time in which the Plan is in effect;
4. A statement whether the Owner proposes to occupy, sell, lease or demolish the vacant structure and a time schedule for such action; and
5. A plan of action to secure, monitor and maintain the structure and premises thereof in conformance with this Article.
B. The Department is hereby authorized to collect a fee to offset the cost of reviewing and approving the Plan.
C. Any subsequent owner is subject to the terms of the Plan as long as the structure remains vacant unless the Department grants relief from same.
(3) Inspection of Vacant Structures.
A. At the time of initial registration, at the time of renewal registration and at any other time that the City deems necessary, the City may perform an inspection of the property and any vacant structures thereon. One of the purposes of the inspections is to ensure that the vacant structure is properly maintained. A vacant structure shall be considered properly maintained if it:
1. Has all doors and windows and other openings weathertight and secured against entry by the general public as well as animals. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, all doorways, windows and other openings shall be in accordance with the provisions below governing the securing of vacant structures.
2. All roof and roof flashing shall be sound and tight such that no rain will penetrate the structure, and must allow for appropriate drainage so as to prevent deterioration of the interior walls or other interior portions of the structure.
3. The structure must be maintained in good repair, be structurally sound and free from rubbish, garbage and other debris.
4. Supporting members of the structure shall be capable of bearing both live and dead loads and the foundation walls likewise shall be capable of supporting an appropriate load.
5. The exterior of the structure shall be free of loose or rotten materials as well as holes. Any exposed metal, wood or other surface shall be protected from the elements by appropriate weather coating materials.
6. All balconies, canopies, signs, metal awnings, stairways or other overhanging extensions shall be in good repair, appropriately anchored. The exposed metal and wood surface of such overhanging extensions shall also be protected from the elements against rust or decay by appropriate application of paint or similar weather coating.
7. Any accessory or appurtenant structures, including but not limited to garages, sheds or other storage facilities shall meet the same standards.
B. At any time the City police or fire departments require, the Owner shall permit inspections of the property in order to determine that a vacant structure will support entry by police and/or fire personnel in cases of emergency.
C. The Department is hereby authorized to collect a fee to offset the cost of inspections. The fee for inspections will be set forth in a schedule of fees adopted by the Mayor and Council.
(Ord. 14-2012. Passed 5-22-12.)