[Amended 6-16-2014 by Ord. No. 14-05]
A. Purpose. The purpose and intent of this chapter is to establish a
registration and identification program of vacant buildings within
the City. Vacant buildings are detrimental to the surrounding buildings
and neighborhoods in which they exist. The chapter is also to ensure
the public health, safety and welfare insofar as they are affected
by vacant buildings within the City. The health, safety and welfare
of the neighborhoods in which vacant buildings are located are of
the utmost importance to the City, as is the general community character
in which these vacant buildings are located.
B. Applicability. The provisions of this chapter shall apply to all
matters affecting or relating to vacant buildings. Where, in this
Code, different sections of this Code may specify different requirements,
the most restrictive shall govern. A vacant building is defined as
a building, structure or dwelling unit or commercial unit within a
building that has been left unoccupied or unattended for three months
or more. A building is considered unoccupied or unattended when it
is no longer being used for the accustomed and ordinary purpose of
the building and/or is no longer connected to utilities or maintained
according to the property maintenance code.
[Amended 6-16-2014 by Ord. No. 14-05]
A. The Code Enforcement Officer shall inspect any premises in the City
for the purpose of enforcing and assuring compliance with the provisions
of this chapter. Upon request of the Code Enforcement Officer, an
owner shall provide access to all interior portions of a vacant building
in order to permit a complete inspection.
B. Once a building/structure/unit or residence (hereinafter referred to as "building") is registered as a vacant building, the vacant building shall be inspected as deemed necessary by the Code Enforcement Officer and charged an inspection fee as stated in Chapter
180, Municipal Fees, for as long as it is vacant.
C. The vacant building shall be secured.
D. The property owner may apply in writing for utility disconnection rates as stated in Chapter
180, Fees, Municipal and further defined in Chapter
399, Utility Services, Payment for. All registered vacant buildings must have the water meters read quarterly to ensure services are not being provided.
E. Any corporation, partnership or artificial entity owning a vacant
building shall have a designated member, partner, or employee having
charge, care and control of the vacant building. The designated member,
partner or employee shall reside in or have an office located within
50 miles of the City limits of the City, or shall be required to have
a licensed property manager residing or having an office located within
50 miles of the City limits of the City, or other designated individual
who does not manage any other real estate for a fee, and who resides
within 50 miles of the City limits of the City, acting as a property
manager. The property manager or other designated individuals shall
have charge, care and control of the vacant building and shall provide
access to the vacant building for inspection, upon request by the
Code Enforcement Officer, within 30 days.
F. Any owner of a vacant building residing more than 50 miles from the
City limits of the City shall be required to have a licensed property
manager residing or having an office located within 50 miles of the
City limits of the City, or a family member or other designated individual
who does not manage any other real estate for a fee and who resides
within 50 miles of the City limits of the City acting as a property
manager. The property manager, including family members and designated
individuals, shall have charge, care and control of the vacant building,
and shall provide access to the vacant building for inspection upon
request by the Code Enforcement Officer, within 30 days.
[Amended 6-16-2014 by Ord. No. 14-05]
An appeal of the Code Enforcement Officer's decision must
be made in writing and received by the Clerk of Council within 30
days of the decision. The appeal would be heard by the City Council.