For the purpose of this chapter, words and phrases shall have the following meanings:
(a) “Evidence of vacancy” shall mean any condition that on its own or combined with any other conditions present would lead a reasonable person to believe that the property is vacant. Such conditions include but are not limited to the following: 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 curtains, blinds and/or shutters, the absence of furnishings and/or personal items consistent with habitation or occupation, and/or statements by persons with personal knowledge that the property is vacant.
(b) “Owner” shall mean any person or entity in whose name the property is recorded or has been deeded to or to whom it is contractually or by operation of law expected to be deeded or transferred, and any person, agent, servicing company, firm, third party, business entity, financial institution or bank that has an equitable or legal interest in the property as a result of a mortgage foreclosure, assignment, sale, mortgage transfer, or similar instrument, or has an agreement with an owner for the purpose of securing and/or managing the property.
(c) “Vacant building” shall be defined for the purposes of this chapter, as a building which is not occupied by its owner, lessee or other person in lawful possession, or at which substantially all lawful business operations or residential occupancy has ceased, or which is substantially devoid of content, or which exhibits other evidence of vacancy.
(Ord. 2014-27. Passed 6-3-14.)