(a) Vacant Structure Fee. There shall be a fee for each vacant structure subject to registration on the vacant property registry. The fees shall be remitted to the City collector as determined by the following:
(1) No fee for a property that is on the vacant property registry for less than one (1) year;
(2) A fifty dollars ($50.00) fee for a vacant structure that is on the vacant property registry for at least one (1) year but less than two (2) consecutive years;
(3) A one hundred dollars ($100.00) fee for a vacant structure that is on the vacant property registry for at least two (2) consecutive years but less than three (3) years;
(4) A two hundred dollars ($200.00) fee for a vacant structure that is on the vacant property registry for at least three (3) consecutive years but less than four (4) years;
(5) A three hundred fifty dollars ($350.00) fee for a vacant structure that is on the vacant property registry for at least four (4) consecutive years but less than five (5) years; and
(6) A one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) fee for a vacant structure that is on the vacant property registry for at least five (5) years, and each year thereafter.
(b) Uninhabitable Structure Fee. If a vacant structure is also uninhabitable such that it is in violation of the Building Code and unsafe for occupancy, there shall be a separate and additional fee added to the above vacant structure fee, in the amount of one hundred dollars ($100.00) per calendar year and continuing each year thereafter until the owner shall apply for and be granted an exemption, or otherwise present proof to the Building Inspector that the real property no longer contains an uninhabitable structure.
(c) Waiver of Registration Fee. The owner of a vacant structure may request a waiver of the registration fee by providing the Building Inspector said request in writing. The Building Inspector may, on a case-by-case basis and for good cause shown, grant a waiver request upon advice and consent of the City Manager.
(d) Violations and Penalties for Failure to Register Vacant Structures. The failure or refusal of any owner to register a vacant structure as required by this Article, or failure to comply with any of the terms of this Article shall constitute a violation punishable upon conviction thereof by a find in the amount of not less than one hundred dollars ($100.00) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500.00) for each violation. It shall be a separate violation for each month that the owner knowingly fails or refuses to register a vacant structure as required by this Article.
(e) Dedicated Account. All fees collected pursuant to this Article shall be deposited into a separate, dedicated account and shall only be used to:
(1) Repair, close or demolish a vacant structure as authorized in West Virginia Code § 8-12-16; or
(2) Improve public safety efforts, especially for police and fire personnel, who most often contend with the dangerous situations manifested in vacant properties; or
(3) Implement, monitor, and administer this Article.
(Ord. 2018-02. Passed 6-19-18.)
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