[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of the City of Rockwood 2-16-2011 by Ord. No.
466. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article,
shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where
the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
A garage, shed, pool, gazebo, pigeon coop, doghouse, playhouse,
or similar use.
A certificate issued by the Building Department in accordance
with the provisions of Chapter 109, pertaining to zoning, for an approved
use or occupancy.
A certificate issued by the Building Department which certifies
that a preliminary inspection by the department has been conducted
and that the dwelling meets the minimum standards required to permit
the transfer of a one- or two-family dwelling, as best as can be determined.
A current certificate of review is a certificate which has been applied
for not more than 30 days before a unit covered by this article is
listed for sale, and received prior to the date of transfer.
A one- or two-family residential structure and accessory
uses located in the city, or any individual family unit cooperatively
owned by individually occupied pursuant to a trust, common tenancy
or stock ownership in accordance with §§ 99 through
109 of Public Act No. 327 of 1931 (MCLA 450.99 through 450.104).
A one- or two-family dwelling unit which has never been occupied.
The sale or conveyance of title to another by consideration,
or the execution of a land contract, the exercise of an option to
purchase a dwelling, or, in the case of a cooperative, the change
of occupancy in conjunction with a transfer of an interest. A conveyance
by lease, gift, devise, or lien foreclosure is not included in this
definition. A transfer subject to the terms of a purchase agreement
entered into prior to the effective date of this article, is not included
in this definition.
It shall be unlawful for any person to transfer a dwelling or
for any person to act as a broker for the transfer of a dwelling which
has not been issued a current certificate of review for such dwelling,
except as otherwise permitted by this article.
A.
The Building Department shall issue a certificate of review only
after it has conducted a preliminary inspection of the dwelling and
finds that the dwelling meets the minimum requirements necessary to
permit the transfer of the property. An inspection report shall be
completed by the inspector after completing the inspection of the
property. The report shall note all violations found in the dwelling.
B.
A new dwelling shall be issued a certificate of review upon final
inspection and approval of the new construction work.
C.
The building official may revoke a certificate of review for a violation
of any code, ordinance, rule or regulation of the city.
A.
A certificate of review is not a warranty or guarantee that there
are no defects in the dwelling and the city shall not be held responsible
for hidden or latent defects, or those not noted in the inspection
report.
B.
This inspection of the land use, exterior posture and interior accessories
of the structure is limited to visual inspection only. The city does
not guarantee or approve by inference any latent, structural or mechanical
defects therein, or such items that are not apparent by visual inspection.
C.
The city shall not assume any liability to any person by reason of
the inspections required by this article or the code adopted in this
article or the issuance of a certificate of review or a certificate
of occupancy.
D.
This inspection is solely for the purpose of permitting the city
to continually assess the condition of the city's housing stock,
to monitor compliance with the building code, and to encourage owners
to improve their properties. Purchasers must rely solely upon the
representations and disclosures made by the seller, their own judgment
and experience, and the advice of consultants and advisors of their
own selection. Purchasers may not rely upon the city's inspection
and reports to represent a full and comprehensive itemization of defects
or assume that a certificate of review means that the structure is
in full compliance with all local codes.
Should the Building Department, upon inspection, determine that
there are conditions which constitute an imminent danger to health
and safety, it may, in addition to revoking a certificate of approval,
order the conditions to be remedied and may limit or prohibit occupancy.
Any person intending to transfer a dwelling must first register
and make arrangements with the Building Department for an inspection
of the dwelling, to occur prior to the date of transfer. The fee for
the registration and inspection shall be established from time to
time by the City Council.
A.
The buyer may assume the responsibility of correcting violations,
provided such corrections are completed within a six-month period,
by executing a notarized affidavit on a form provided by the Building
Department to keep on file to this effect and submitting said affidavit
to the Building Department.
B.
If a property is inspected and the sale does not occur, the inspection
report is valid for a six-month period. If the owner corrects all
violations, a certificate of approval will be issued.
Any person who shall fail to obtain a certificate of approval
as required by this article, or who shall fail to correct any violations
within the time required by this article, or who shall violate any
of the terms of this article, shall be guilty of a municipal civil
infraction.
The provisions of this article shall apply to all existing properties
and structures.
The purpose of establishing a registration process for vacant
properties is to provide requirements for responsible parties to implement
a vacant property maintenance plan for such properties which will
protect the public health, safety and general welfare of the citizens
and prevent neighborhood blight, ensure properties are secured, prevent
deterioration, and protect property values and neighborhood integrity.
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article,
shall have the meaning ascribed to them in this section, except where
the context clearly indicates a different meaning.
A property that is vacant and is under a current notice of
default and/or notice of trustee's sale, pending tax assessor's
lien sale, or a property that has been the subject of a foreclosure
sale where the title was retained by or transferred to the beneficiary
of the deed of trust involved with the foreclosure, or a property
transferred under a deed in lieu of foreclosure/sale.
Real property that is accessible to the public, either in
general or through an open and unsecured door, window, gate, fence,
wall, or other such openings.
A lender participating in a real property transaction that
holds a secured interest in the real property in question identified
in a deed of trust.
Consecutive calendar days.
An instrument by which title to real estate is transferred
to a third party trustee as security for a real estate loan. This
definition includes any subsequent deeds of trust.
Any condition that, on its own or combined with other conditions
present, would lead a reasonable person to believe that the property
is vacant. Such conditions include, but are not limited to, overgrown
or dead vegetation, accumulation of newspapers, circulars, flyers
or mail, past-due utility notices or disconnected utilities, accumulation
of trash, junk or debris, the absence of window coverings such as
curtains, blinds or shutters, the absence of furnishings or personal
items consistent with residential habitation, statements by neighbors,
passersby, delivery agents, or government employees that the property
is vacant.
The process by which a property, placed as security for a
real estate loan, is sold at auction to satisfy the debt of the trustor
(borrower) under deed of trust defaults.
A recorded instrument that reflects and provides notice that
a default has taken place with respect to a deed of trust, and that
a beneficiary intends to proceed with a trustee's sale.
Any person, co-partnership, agent, operator, firm, association,
corporation, or fiduciary having a legal or equitable interest in
the property; or recorded in the official records of the state, county,
or municipality as holding title to the property; or otherwise having
control of the property, including the guardian of the estate of any
such person, and the executor or administrator of the estate of such
person if ordered to take possession of real property by a court.
Any unimproved or improved real property, or portion thereof,
located in the City of Rockwood, including the buildings or structures
located on the property regardless of condition.
Such measures as may be directed by the building official
or his or her designee that assist in rendering the property inaccessible
to unauthorized persons, including but not limited to the repairing
of fences and walls, chaining/padlocking of gates, the repair or boarding
of doors, windows, or other openings.
Any person, partnership, association, corporation, fiduciary
or other legal entity holding a deed of trust securing an interest
in real property.
Any owner/borrower identified in a deed of trust who transfers
an interest in real property to a trustee as security for payment
of debt by that owner/trustor.
Any building, structure or real property that is or has been
unoccupied or occupied by a person without a legal right of occupancy.
The open unoccupied spaces on the same lot with a main building
extending along the entire length of front, side, and rear lot lines.
When an eviction by court order occurs, the owner shall place,
on the private area of the owner's property only and not on any
public area adjacent to the owner's property, a movable container
of sufficient size and type which will allow access from its side
for disposal of the personal property. Any personal property not relocated
from the premises shall be placed and disposed of only in the movable
container. The movable container shall be removed from the owner's
property within 48 hours of its placement.
Owners and/or owners' agents of real property are required
to register all vacant property within 30 days of the vacancy or the
effective date of this article, whichever is later. Registration pursuant
to this section shall be renewed annually. Registration required by
this article shall include the following information:
A.
Name, address and contact number of the owner.
B.
Name, address and contact number of the local agent or representative
for the property.
C.
Name, address and contact number of the management company assigned
to the property for the security and maintenance of the property.
D.
Common address and tax parcel identification number of the property.
E.
The date on which the property became vacant.
F.
Affirmation of utility connections or disconnections.
G.
Signed maintenance plan agreement as required by this article.
If at any time the information contained in the registration
is no longer valid, the property owner shall file a new registration
within 10 days containing current information. There shall be no fee
to update the current owner's information.
It is declared a public nuisance for any owner to cause, permit,
or maintain any property condition contrary to the provisions of this
section. The owner or owner's agent must adhere to the vacant
property maintenance plan as contained in this section and the time
schedule requirements on the registration.
A.
The owner or owner's agent shall perform regular weekly inspections
of the property to assure compliance with the requirements of this
section.
B.
The owner or owner's agent shall allow access to the Building
Department for the purpose of inspection and in case of emergency.
C.
Utilities must be properly disconnected or connected and in proper
working order.
E.
Weeds shall be removed from landscape beds, the perimeter of buildings,
along fence lines, and in parking lot joints and cracks.
F.
Grass height shall be maintained no higher than six inches and the
trimmings removed from the property.
G.
Exterior properties shall be kept free of junk and debris, including,
but not limited to, newspapers, flyers, circulars, furniture, appliances,
containers, equipment, auto parts, garbage, clothing, inoperable vehicles,
boats and campers, or any other items that give the appearance that
the property is vacant.
H.
Building appurtenances must be securely attached so as not to cause
a blighting condition, including, but not limited to, gutters, downspouts,
shutters, railings, guards, steps, awnings, canopies, signs, light
fixtures, and fire escapes.
I.
Detached signs and lighting systems shall be structurally sound,
and maintained so as not to cause a blighting condition, or removed.
J.
Property fencing and retaining walls shall be maintained structurally
sound. Any fence or wall with broken or hanging components shall be
repaired, straightened, or removed.
K.
Pools, spas, and ponds shall be drained and kept dry or kept in working
order so that the water remains clear and free of pollutants and debris.
Pools and spas comply with the barrier requirements of the adopted
International Property Maintenance Code.
L.
The property shall be free of graffiti or similar markings by removal
or painting over with a color that matches the exterior of the structure.
M.
Perishables shall be removed from the interior of the structures.
Properties subject to this section shall be maintained in a
secure manner so as not to be accessible to unauthorized persons.
Secure manner includes, but is not limited to, closing and locking
of windows, doors, and any other opening that may allow access to
the interior of any structure on the property. Broken glass shall
be secured by replacement, re-glazing, or boarding of the opening.
The boarding of any opening shall be painted with a color that matches
the exterior of the structure.
The building official or his or her designee shall have the
authority to require the owner to implement additional maintenance,
security, or other measures not specified in the vacant property maintenance
plan, as may be reasonably required to prevent further decline.
The fees for registering and the renewal of registering a vacant
property shall be the cost of administering the provisions of this
article and in the amounts established from time to time by the City
Council. In addition, in the case where the owner has failed to register,
there shall be assessed the added costs of the City's expenses
in having to determine ownership which may include, but are not limited
to, title searches.
Any owner of vacant property that fails to register, fails to
report changes to registration information, or fails to renew a registration
annually shall be responsible for a civil infraction and assessed
a fine in an amount established from time to time by resolution of
the City Council. Any owner or owner's agent of vacant property
subject to the registration requirements of this article who causes,
permits, or maintains a violation of this article as to that property
shall be responsible for a civil infraction.
Any person aggrieved by any of the requirements of this article
may appeal a determination made hereunder in a manner specified in
the adopted International Property Maintenance Code.
