(a) If none of the persons listed in Section 1729.03 is shown at an address within the State, the registration statement also shall provide the name and address of a person who resides within the State and who is authorized to accept service of process on behalf of the owners and who shall be designated as a responsible, local party or agent, both for purposes of notification in the event of an emergency affecting the public health, safety or welfare and for purposes of service of any and all notices or registration statements as herein authorized and in connection herewith.
(b) Registration shall be required for all vacant buildings, whether vacant and secure, vacant and open or vacant and boarded, and shall be required whenever any building has remained vacant for 45 consecutive days or more. In no instance shall the registration of a vacant building and the payment of registration fees be construed to exonerate the owner, agent or responsible party from responsibility for compliance with any other Building Code or Housing Code requirement. One registration statement may be filed to include all vacant buildings of the owner so registering.
(c) The owner of the vacant property as of November 15th of each calendar year shall be responsible for the filing of his/her registration statement and, where applicable, registration payment of the non-refundable registration fee. Said fee shall be billed by the Fire Department and shall be established by resolution of Council.
(Res. 134-2008. Passed 9-2-08.)
(1) Council hereby approves the registration fees for vacant buildings within the City to be imposed in accordance with this article as set forth herein:
Registration fees: $65.00 per building.
(2) Council hereby approves the inspection fees for vacant properties within the City to be imposed in accordance with this article as set forth herein:
Inspection fees: $130.00 per building (This fee shall include
the initial inspection and one
re-inspection)
Subsequent
re-inspections: Shall be charged at $65.00 each.
(Res. 142-2008. Passed 10-7-08.)
(3) Upon the registration of a property, the Fire Department may conduct an inspection of the property to determine if it complies with the Property and Maintenance Code and Fire Code. If the Department finds violations of the Property Maintenance Code or Fire Code, the Department shall issue a notice of violation as per the requirements of those codes and give notice to the owner to comply with the codes.
(4) The Fire Department is authorized and directed to make inspections at any reasonable hour to determine compliance with the Fire Prevention and Property Maintenance codes. For this purpose, the Department, its officers or representatives are authorized to enter and examine any building, structure, yard or part of either and every owner, operator or occupant shall allow the Department, its officers or representatives free access. Inspection may be postponed by the Department due to illness of one or more occupants of the premises or other emergency.
(5) Whenever the owner, mortgagee, purchaser or other interested party requests a special inspection of a property regulated by this article, or certification that a property is in compliance with this article or other applicable City ordinances pertaining to structural condition; when such a request is being made in connection with the sale, conveyance, transfer, financing or refinancing of such property; then such person shall first pay a fee to the City to defray the expenses of making such inspection. The fee shall be established by resolution of Council.
(Res. 134-2008. Passed 9-2-08.)