[R.O. 2007 § 501.010; Ord. No. 3883 § 1, 8-28-2003]
It is the purpose of this Chapter to provide for effective monitoring
and routine inspection of vacant buildings and structures that, due
to housing code violations, may endanger the life, limb, health, property,
safety or welfare of the general public, and this Chapter shall apply
to all residential structures that have been vacant for more than
six (6) months and that are subject to housing code violations.
[R.O. 2007 § 501.020; Ord. No. 3883 § 1, 8-28-2003]
The following words and phrases, when used in this Chapter,
shall mean:
A local building, fire, health, property maintenance, nuisance
or other ordinance which contains standards regulating the condition
or maintenance of residential buildings.
A structure devoted primarily to residential use, whether
classified as residential or commercial, and regardless of the number
of dwelling units contained within such structure.
[R.O. 2007 § 501.030; Ord. No. 3883 § 1, 8-28-2003]
Every parcel of residential property improved by a residential
structure or commercial property improved by a structure containing
multiple dwelling units, that is vacant and has been vacant for at
least six (6) months, and is characterized by violations of the housing
code shall be registered as a vacant residential structure and shall
be subject to the registration fee as stated in Appendix A of this
Title.
[R.O. 2007 § 501.040; Ord. No. 3883 § 1, 8-28-2003]
A.
Registration. The Building Commissioner for the City of
St. Peters, Missouri, or his/her designee shall investigate any property
that may be subject to registration. Based upon his/her findings,
the Building Commissioner may register property as vacant residential
structure subject to this Chapter.
B.
Notice Of Registration. Within five (5) business days of
such registration, the City Clerk shall notify the owners of the registered
property by mail at their last known address according to the records
of the City of St. Peters and St. Charles County. Such notice shall
state:
C.
Time To Cure — Reconsideration. Within thirty (30)
days of the date of notification, the property owner may complete
any improvements to the property that may be necessary to remove the
property from registration under this Chapter and may request a reinspection
of the property and reconsideration of the levy of the registration
fee. Upon receipt of a written request for reconsideration of the
levy of the registration fee which sets out the reasons claimed by
the property owner as to why the registration fee should be waived,
the Building Commissioner may waive levy of the registration fee following
timely compliance.
D.
Appeal Of Registration And/Or Reconsideration To Municipal Court. Within thirty (30) days of the date of such notification or within
thirty (30) days of the date of reconsideration by the Building Commissioner,
the property owner may appeal the decision to the office of the Municipal
Court for the City of St. Peters.
[R.O. 2007 § 501.050; Ord. No. 3883 § 1, 8-28-2003]
A.
Amount Of Fee. There is hereby established and assessed
a semi-annual fee as stated in Appendix A of this Title, imposed on
all owners of property registered under this Chapter.
B.
Owner Responsible. It shall be the joint and several responsibility
of each owner of property registered pursuant to this Chapter to pay
the semi-annual registration fee.
C.
Accrual Of Fee. The registration fee shall begin to accrue
on the beginning of the second calendar quarter after registration
by the Building Commissioner or reconsideration by the Building Commissioner,
however, in the event that an appeal is filed with the Municipal Court,
the registration fee shall begin to accrue on the beginning of the
second calendar quarter after the final decision of the Municipal
Judge or court of competent jurisdiction.
D.
Billing Procedures — Late Penalties. The Director
of Finance shall cause to be mailed to the owner of property registered
under this Chapter, at his or her last known address, a bill for the
semi-annual registration fee. The fee shall be due and payable within
thirty (30) days of mailing. In addition to any other penalties provided
by law, if any owner fails to pay fee assessed for such property within
thirty (30) days of the date of mailing, a late payment fee as stated
in Appendix A of this Title per month shall be assessed for each month
during which the fee remains unpaid.
E.
Failure To Pay Fee Unlawful. It shall be unlawful for any owner of property registered pursuant to this Chapter to fail to pay the registration fee imposed for such property. Any person found guilty of failing to pay any required fee shall be punished as provided in Section 100.060 of the Municipal Code.
F.
Collection Of Delinquent Fees — Lien On Property And Other Effects Of Delinquent Fees — Foreclosure Proceedings.
1.
Action To Recover. In addition to any other penalties provided
by law, the City may initiate and pursue an action in a court of competent
jurisdiction to recover any unpaid fees, interest and penalties from
any person liable therefore and, in addition, may recover the cost
of such action, including reasonable attorney fees.
2.
Lien On Property. Any unpaid or delinquent fees, interest
and/or penalties, whether or not reduced to judgment, shall constitute
a lien against the property for which the fee was originally assessed
until the same shall be fully satisfied. The Director of Finance is
authorized to take all steps necessary to file and perfect such liens
as may be required or directed by the Building Commissioner from time
to time.
3.
Obtaining Permits Prohibited. In addition to any other penalties
provided by law, if an owner fails to pay the fee assessed for such
property, including any late payment fee subsequently imposed, within
sixty (60) days of the date of mailing of the initial bill, said owner
shall not be permitted to apply for, obtain or renew any City license
or permit of any kind until such delinquency has been satisfied.
4.
Foreclosure. Any registration fees which are delinquent
for a period of one (1) year shall be subject to foreclosure proceedings
in the same manner as delinquent real property taxes. The owner of
the property against which the assessment was originally made shall
be able to redeem the property only by presenting evidence that the
violations of the applicable housing code cited by the Building Commissioner
have been cured and presenting payment of all registration fees and
penalties.
5.
Sale Of Property. Upon bona fide sale of the property to
an unrelated party, the lien on such property for the registration
fees shall be considered released and the delinquent registration
fee forgiven.
