It is the finding of the Town Board that neglected 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 and/or operators of vacant buildings, and to encourage the
rehabilitation and utilization of vacant buildings.
A.
The owner of a vacant building shall register with the Code Enforcement
Office no later than 30 days after any building becomes a vacant building
or not later than 30 days after being notified by a Code Enforcement
Officer of the requirement to register. A Code Enforcement Officer
may identify vacant buildings through a routine inspection process,
as well as through notification by residents, neighborhood associations
and other community groups. Notice will be served upon the owner as
identified by the tax roll and recorded deed. Notice will be deemed
received upon personal delivery or five days after service by first
class mail.
B.
The registration shall be submitted on forms provided by the Code
Enforcement Office and shall include the following information:
(1)
The street address and most recent use of the vacant building.
(2)
The names, addresses, telephone numbers (including cellular), and
email address of the owner or owners. If an 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 in addition to any post office box.
(3)
A name, address, and telephone numbers (including cellular), and
email address of a responsible natural person who can be reached at
all times during business and non-business hours. The address must
include a street address in addition to any post office box.
(4)
The names, addresses, telephone numbers (including cellular), and
email address of any property manager and/or property maintenance
company responsible for maintaining the vacant building and the property.
If a property manager is a corporation, limited liability company
or partnership, contact information for a responsible natural person
on behalf of the property manager.
(5)
The names, addresses, telephone numbers (including cellular), and
email address of all known mortgagees, lien holders, judgment creditors,
leaseholders or any other person or entity with a legal interest in
the vacant building. The address must include a street address in
addition to any post office box.
C.
The owner shall submit a vacant building plan that must meet the
approval of the Code Enforcement Office. The plan must contain information
addressing the following:
(1)
A plan for the securing of the vacant building and the premises, in accordance with standards provided in § 205-8 of this chapter, along with the procedure that will be used to maintain the vacant building and the property, and a statement of the reasons why the building will be left vacant.
(2)
If the vacant building is to be demolished, a demolition plan indicating
the proposed time frame for demolition.
(3)
If the vacant building is to be returned to occupancy, a rehabilitation
plan for the vacant building. The rehabilitation plan may not exceed
six months from the date of submission and shall include progress
benchmarks at least every two months, unless the Code Enforcement
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 vacant building must
comply with any applicable zoning, historic preservation and/or building
codes.
D.
The owner will comply with all applicable laws and codes. The owner
will notify the Code Enforcement 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.
E.
The owner will keep the vacant building and the property secured, safe and properly maintained as provided in § 205-8 of this chapter.
F.
The owner shall notify the Code Enforcement Office of any transfer
of ownership within 15 days of transfer. The new owner will continue
to comply with the approved vacant building plan and timetable submitted
by the previous owner until any proposed changes are submitted and
approved by the Code Enforcement Office.
G.
Enforcement.
(1)
The registration of a vacant building is required within 30 days
after the building becomes a vacant building as defined within this
chapter, or no later than 30 days after being notified by a Code Enforcement
Officer of the requirement to register.
(2)
Failure to register a vacant building within 30 days of its due date
is a violation resulting in a penalty in the amount of $250 for each
instance.
H.
Exemptions. A vacant building, as defined by this chapter, 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.
A.
Any person, corporation, limited liability company or partnership
responsible for maintaining a vacant building on behalf of any owner
shall register with the Code Enforcement Office no later than 30 days
after commencing such maintenance responsibilities or not later than
30 days after being notified by a Code Enforcement Officer of the
requirement to register. The registration shall be submitted on forms
provided by the Code Enforcement Office and shall include, for each
and every vacant building being maintained, the following information:
(1)
The street address of the vacant building.
(2)
The names, addresses, telephone numbers (including cellular), and
email address of the registrant. If a registrant 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 in addition to any post office box.
(3)
The names, addresses, telephone numbers (including cellular), and
email addresses of a responsible natural person or people of the registrant
who can be reached at all times during business and non-business hours.
The address must include a street address; a post office box is not
acceptable.
(4)
The names, addresses, telephone numbers (including cellular), and
email address of the owner of the vacant building. If an owner is
a corporation, limited liability company or partnership, contact information
for a responsible natural person on behalf of the owner.
