[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of the City of Auburn 5-30-2013 by Ord. No.
5-2013. Amendments noted where applicable.]
This chapter shall be known and referred to as the "Vacant Building
Registry of Auburn, New York."
It is the finding of the Auburn City Council that vacant buildings
are unsightly, unsafe, and have a negative effect on the community.
Unfortunately, many buildings, once vacant, remain that way for years.
The purpose of this chapter is to establish a program for identifying
and registering vacant buildings, to set forth the responsibilities
of owners of vacant buildings, and to speed the rehabilitation of
vacant buildings.
Unless otherwise expressly stated, the following terms will,
for the purpose of this chapter, have the meanings indicated in this
section:
Where the condition of a building, structure, or any part
thereof is an imminent, immediate, and substantial danger to the health
or safety of occupants, emergency responders, and/or the general public.
Such conditions include, but are not limited to, fire hazards, falling
or dilapidated buildings, structures, or any part thereof, loss of
significant water, heat, ventilation, or a lack of sanitary conditions.
Any duly authorized City of Auburn employee of the Code Enforcement
or Fire Chief's office, or designated persons from those offices.
The person, persons, or entity shown to be the owner or owners
on the records of the City of Auburn Assessor's office, those
identified as the owner or owners on a vacant building registration
form, a mortgagee in possession, a mortgagor in possession, or an
assignee of rents, receiver, executor, administrator, trustee, lessee,
other person, firm or corporation in control of the premises. Any
such person will have joint and several obligations for compliance
with the provisions of this chapter.
A building secured by means other than those used in the
design and approved plans for the building.
A building or portion thereof which lacks the habitual presence
of human beings who have a legal right to be on the premises, including
buildings ordered vacated by an enforcement officer. In determining
whether a building is unoccupied, the enforcement officer may consider
these factors, among others:
Whether lawful residential or business activity has ceased;
The percentage of the overall square footage of the occupied
to unoccupied space or the overall number of occupied and unoccupied
units;
The building is substantially devoid of contents or the minimal
value of fixtures or personal property in the building;
The building lacks utility services;
The building is subject to a foreclosure action;
Duration of vacancy; and/or
The presence or reoccurrence of code violations.
A building or portion of a building which is open to entry
by unauthorized persons without the use of tools or ladders.
A building, a portion of a building, or a structure which
is any one or more of the below:
Unoccupied and unsecured;
Unoccupied and secured by other than normal means;
Unoccupied and an unsafe building as determined by an enforcement
officer;
Unoccupied and an enforcement officer has issued an order to
correct code violations;
Illegally occupied; or
Unoccupied for a period of time over 30 days.
A.
The owner of a vacant building will register with the Code Enforcement
or Fire Chief's office no later than 30 days after any building
becomes a "vacant building," as defined above, or not later than 30
days after being notified by a code enforcement officer of the requirement
to register. A code enforcement officer or Fire Department officer
may identify vacant buildings through his/her routine inspection process
as well as through notification by residents, neighborhood associations
and other community groups that a building may be eligible for inclusion
on the registry. Notice will be served upon, or sent by mail to, the
owner, and any registered property manager, and to the property address.
Notice will be deemed received by the owner, property manager, or
an occupant, as the case may be, upon personal delivery or three days
in Cayuga County or five days for other locations after service by
first-class mail. The City may also post notices on the City's
website to provide additional notice to the public. However, the City's
failure to post such violations on the City's website will not
constitute a defense to any enforcement proceeding or collection of
fines.
B.
As part of the notice to register, the code enforcement officer may
provide the owner with a written referral to the Office of Planning
for information outlining programs available which may be useful to
implement a rehabilitation plan.
C.
The registration will be submitted on forms provided by the Code
Enforcement/Fire Chief's office and will include the following
information:
(1)
A description of the premises, i.e., square footage, number of stories,
age of the building, and most-recent use of the building.
(2)
The names, addresses, and telephone numbers of the owner or owners;
if the owner is a corporation, limited liability company or partnership,
the address for each director, manager, or partner, as the case may
be. The address must include a street address; a post office box is
not acceptable.
(3)
If the owner does not reside in Cayuga County or any adjoining New York county, the name and address of the registered property manager as required by § 182-56, registration of rental housing units; certificates of compliance. The address must include a street address; a post office box is not acceptable.
(4)
The names and addresses of all known lien holders and all other parties
with an ownership interest in the building. Each address must include
a street address; a post office box is not acceptable.
(5)
A name, address, and telephone number of a responsible natural person
(not a corporation, partnership, or limited liability company) who
can be reached at all times during business and nonbusiness hours.
The address must include a street address; a post office box is not
acceptable.
D.
The owner will submit a vacant building plan which must meet the
approval of the Code Enforcement/Fire Chief's office. The plan,
at a minimum, must contain information from one of the following three
proposals for the property:
(1)
If the building is to be demolished, a demolition plan indicating
the proposed time frame for demolition;
(2)
If the building is to remain vacant, a plan for the securing of the
building in accordance with standards provided below, along with the
procedure that will be used to maintain the property, and a statement
of the reason(s) why the building will be left vacant; or
(3)
If the building is to be returned to appropriate occupancy or use, rehabilitation plans for the building must be submitted to the Code Enforcement office. The rehabilitation plans will not exceed 365 days from the date of submission and will include progress benchmarks at least every four months, unless the Code Enforcement/Fire Chief's office grants an extension for good cause shown, upon receipt of a written statement from the owner detailing the reasons for the extension. Any repairs, improvements or alterations to the property must comply with any applicable zoning, housing, historic preservation or building codes. The building must be secured in accordance with § 182-66 of the Auburn City Code.
E.
The owner will comply with all applicable laws and codes. The owner
will notify the Code Enforcement/Fire Chief's office of any changes
in information supplied as part of the vacant building registration
within 30 days of the change. If the plan or timetable for the vacant
building is revised in any way, the revisions must be in writing and
must meet the approval of the enforcement officer.
F.
The owner and any subsequent owner will keep the building secured and safe and the building and grounds properly maintained as provided in § 182-66 of the Auburn City Code.
G.
Failure of the owner or any subsequent owner to maintain the building
and premises as required herein will be grounds for the City:
H.
The owner will notify the Code Enforcement/Fire Chief's office
of any transfer of ownership within 15 days of transfer. The new owner
will comply with the approved plan and timetable submitted by the
previous owner until any proposed changes are submitted and approved
by the Code Enforcement/Fire Chief's office.
I.
Vacant building registration fees.
(1)
The owner of a vacant building will pay a registration fee as determined
annually by the fee schedule adopted by City Council or by separate
resolution of the City Council at any time during the course of a
fiscal year. The registration fee is due and payable upon registration;
to wit: no later than 30 days after any building becomes a "vacant
building," as defined above, or no later than 30 days after being
notified by an enforcement officer of the requirement to register.
(2)
If the building is to remain vacant, then the owner will also pay
an annual vacant building fee. The amount of said fee shall be determined
annually pursuant to the fee schedule adopted by the Auburn City Council
or by separate resolution of the City Council. Said fee schedule shall
provide for differing amounts dependent upon the number of years that
the building is vacant.
(3)
If the building is to be returned to a permitted use, the rehabilitation plan will not exceed 365 days and will include progress benchmarks at least every four months, unless the enforcement officer grants an extension for good cause shown upon receipt of a written statement from the owner detailing the reasons for the extension. If the rehabilitation has not been completed or extended, then the owner will pay an annual vacant building fee until the building is properly demolished or rehabilitated. The annual vacant building fee is payable either on each anniversary of the payment of the initial registration fee in Subsection I(1) above or no later than 15 days after being notified by an enforcement officer that the owner has failed to meet a required benchmark, whichever date is earlier, and on each anniversary thereafter until the building is demolished or rehabilitated.
(4)
If the owner of a vacant building fails to register and pay the fees in a timely manner, then the owner will be subject to the penalty set forth in § 125-59 of the Auburn City Code.
(5)
All delinquent fees will be paid by the owner prior to any transfer
of an ownership interest in any vacant building. The owner will give
a purchaser written notice that the building in question is a vacant
building under this section.
(6)
The vacant building registration fees and annual vacant building
fees as set forth in the annual fee schedule or by separate resolution
are to be delivered, by mail or in person, to the Treasurer's
office, Memorial City Hall, 24 South Street, Auburn, New York, 13021.
A late charge of 2% per month, or any part thereof, will be assessed
on any invoice which is unpaid after 30 days from the date of the
demand for payment or an invoice. A processing fee will be charged
for each check returned by the bank due to insufficient funds or other
reason. A replacement payment must be made in cash, money order, or
bank or certified check and must include the processing fee and any
applicable late charges. Invoices and any additional fees that remain
unpaid will be added to the property owner's tax bill and will
include an additional fee.
J.
The Code Enforcement/Fire Chief's office will include in the
file any property-specific written statements from community organizations,
other interested parties or citizens regarding the history, problems,
status or blighting influence of a vacant building.
A.
The owner of a vacant building will take such steps and perform such
acts as may be required of him or her from time to time to ensure
that the building and its grounds remain safe and secure and do not
present a hazard to the adjoining property or the public. Owners will
be responsible for maintaining their buildings and structures so that
they do not become an unoccupied hazard. In any building or floor
area that is vacant or about to become vacant, there will be at least
one access which meets the approval of the code enforcement officer.
B.
The owner will protect and maintain the exterior of the building
as follows:
(1)
Exterior walls, including foundations, will be maintained so that
water does not penetrate into basements, cellars, or other interior
areas. All exterior walls and foundations must be free of holes and
crevices.
(2)
Exterior doors, windows, skylights and similar openings will be maintained
weathertight.
(3)
Exterior stairs, porches, entrance platforms, fire escapes and the
railings thereon shall be maintained in a safe and sound condition.
(4)
Roofs shall be maintained in a weathertight condition.
(5)
Exterior surfaces shall be maintained in good condition. Surfaces
not inherently resistant to deterioration shall be treated with a
protective coating of paint or other suitable preservative.
(6)
The coverings for windows and doors with glass may not consist of
any substance sprayed onto the glass doors or windows. All enclosures
shall be properly fitted and be of such material and surface that
they are neither unsightly nor will materially detract from the general
appearance of the building or the neighborhood and, when possible,
secured by normal means.
(7)
The covering for broken doors and cracked or broken windows may consist
of replacement glass, plexiglass, boards, plywood or similar materials
finished and maintained in a manner recommended and approved by the
code enforcement officer. The materials will be designed and of such
color to blend in with the finish of the building.
(8)
Windows that are not cracked or broken may be covered with interior
blinds, curtains, shades, or decorative paper.
(9)
The premises will be kept free of insects and vermin and will be
treated if necessary.
(10)
Any excavations, swimming pools, or other attractive nuisances
must be filled in or properly closed.
C.
In addition to the standards prescribed above, vacant commercial
and retail buildings shall comply with the following standards:
D.
The owner will protect and maintain the interior of the building
as follows:
E.
The owner will maintain the premises as follows:
(1)
The owner will not permit garbage and refuse to accumulate.
(2)
Buildings and structures will be maintained free of insects, vermin
and rodent harborage and infestation.
(3)
Refrigerators and similar equipment with locking mechanisms will
not be discarded, abandoned or stored without first removing the locking
devices or the hinges of the doors.
(4)
Junked vehicles will not be stored at the premises.
(5)
Chimneys, smokestacks, flues, gas vents, smoke pipes and connectors
will be maintained structurally safe and smoketight.
(6)
If the building is to be demolished or remain vacant, then, within
10 days of registering the building as a vacant building, all fuel
gas, water, and utilities must be disconnected at the mains and water
pipes drained. If the building is going to be rehabilitated, then
the building must be heated to avoid freezing pipes, fuel gas pipe
systems must be maintained gastight, in a safe and operative condition,
and water pipes must be maintained to avoid leaks and/or breakage.
(7)
Fuel tanks will be maintained so as not to be a hazard or will be discontinued in a manner consistent with Chapter C of the State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code (9 NYCRR).
(8)
The domestic water supply system of the building will be connected
to an approved source, will not be subject to contamination and will
not be connected to unsafe water supplies, or the system will be disconnected
at the main and completely drained.
(9)
Stormwater drainage systems will be maintained so as to function
properly and be kept free from obstructions, leaks and defects. Sewage
systems will be similarly maintained or will be sealed so as to prevent
accumulation of sewage gases in buildings.
(10)
Electrical fixtures, devices, wiring and systems will be maintained
in safe working condition in a manner which will avoid a potential
source of ignition or shock, or service will be discontinued at the
supply.
(11)
Elevators, dumbwaiters and escalators will be maintained or
taken out of service.
(12)
The owner will provide for snow removal.
(13)
The owner will maintain yards and vacant lots trimmed and mowed,
with the height of grass and weeds being no more than 10 inches, and
clean and free of physical hazards, rodent harborage and infestation.
F.
Whenever the owner of a vacant building fails to comply with a notice from a code enforcement officer to take steps and perform acts as are required of him or her to ensure that a building and its adjoining yards remain safe and secure and do not present a hazard to adjoining property in violation of Subsection B above, the City may enter onto the building and the property and take steps and perform acts to render the building and its adjoining yards safe, secure and free from hazards to adjoining property and the public. These acts will include but not be limited to removal of dangerous conditions, properly replacing or boarding up windows and doors, shutting off utilities, capping plumbing to prevent leakage of water or sewer gas, or removing flammable or otherwise hazardous material and debris. A bill for the expenses incurred above will be presented to the owners of the building.
A building which has suffered fire damage or damage caused by
extreme weather conditions will be exempt from the registration requirement
for a period of 90 days after the date of the fire or extreme weather
event if the property owner submits a request for exemption in writing
to the Code Enforcement/Fire Chief's office. This request will
include the following information supplied by the owner:
By registering a vacant building, an owner consents to a code
enforcement officer inspecting the premises for the purpose of enforcing
and assuring compliance with the provisions of this chapter. Upon
the request of the code enforcement officer, an owner will provide
access to all interior portions of a vacant building in order to permit
a complete inspection. Nothing contained herein, however, will diminish
the owner's right to insist upon the procurement of a search
warrant from a court of competent jurisdiction by the enforcement
officer or his or her designee in order to enable such inspection,
and the enforcement officer will be required to obtain a search warrant
whenever an owner refuses to permit a warrantless inspection of the
premises after having been advised of his or her constitutional right
to refuse entry without same. In the case of an emergency, this section
will not apply.
Once a year, the Office of Buildings and Construction or Code
Enforcement/Fire Chief's office will send to the Mayor and to
the Auburn City Council a list of all buildings in the City declared
vacant under the provisions of this chapter, as well as a list of
all previously declared vacant buildings which are no longer subject
to the provisions of this chapter. This information may be published
on the City's website.
Any person violating any provision of this vacant building registry
or providing false information to the code enforcement officer will
be subject to the following fines:
A.
Such person will be subject to a fine of $1,000 or imprisonment not
exceeding six months, or both such fine and imprisonment.
B.
The term "person," as used in this section, will include the owner,
occupant, mortgagee or vendee in possession, assignee of rents, receiver,
executor, administrator, trustee, lessee, agent or any other person,
firm or corporation directly or indirectly in control of the building
or part thereof.
C.
Each day of violation will be deemed to constitute a separate offense.
D.
Fines levied will constitute civil forfeitures to the City of Auburn.
