Unless otherwise stated, the following terms shall for the purpose of this ordinance, have meanings indicated in this section.
(a) Owner. Any person, in whose name the structure is titled, and any person, agent, servicing company, firm, third party, financial institution or bank that has an interest in the property as a result of an assignment, sale, mortgage, transfer of a mortgage, foreclosure or similar instrument or having an agreement with any one of the above for purposes of securing and/or managing the structure.
(b) Secured by other than normal means. A structure secured by means other than those used in the design of the structure.
(c) Unoccupied. A structure which is not being used for the occupancy authorized by the Zoning Use Permit.
(d) Unsecured. A structure or portion of a structure which is open to entry by unauthorized persons or other living things without the use of tools or ladders.
(e) Vacant structure.
(1) Commercial vacant Structure. A structure in which, no person or persons currently conduct a lawfully licensed use in said space, or in the case of a lawfully licensed business use, is not open and accessible to the public for at least twenty-four (24) hours during any consecutive seven day period. Commercial structures with residential occupants on upper levels but empty space at street level will be considered a vacant commercial structure.
(2) Residential vacant structure. A structure within a residential zoned area which displays evidence of vacancy.
(f) Evidence of vacancy. Any condition that on its own or combined with other conditions present would lead a reasonable person to believe the structure is vacant. Such conditions include but are not limited to: significantly below standard utility usage, overgrown and/or dead vegetation, accumulation of newspapers, circulars, flyers, and/or mail, accumulation of trash, junk, and/or debris, broken or boarded up windows, abandoned vehicles, auto parts or materials, the absence of window coverings, such as blinds, and/or shutters, the absence of furnishings and/or personal items consistent with habitation or occupation, statements by authorities that the structure is vacant or unfit for human inhabitants.
(g) Property. Any parcel of real property that contains a structure.
(Ord. 201201-63. Passed 12-1-20.)