[Adopted 5-12-1998 by Ord. No. 1998-4]
The following is a sample letter of notice to
the property owner:
(Letterhead)
|
|
(Date)
|
Notice of Warning For Control of a Building
Used for Drugs or Crime
|
(Name)
|
(Address)
|
Dear Sir/Madam,
|
You are hereby notified that your property,
located at _______________, Snow Hill, Worcester County, Maryland
has been found to be in violation of Snow Hill Town Ordinance Number
1998-4.
|
The cause of this violation is:
|
If you continue to rent to these person(s) or
allow the use of your property to be used in this manner you will
be liable for a fine of $100 for a first offense, and a fine of $300
for a second or subsequent offense. The Snow Hill Police Department
will work with you to correct this problem if you so desire. The department's
address and phone number is: 103 Bank Street, Snow Hill, MD. 21863,
phone number (410)632-2444.
|
|
____________________________
Police Officer,
Snow Hill Police Department
|
[Adopted 7-12-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-01]
The following terms shall have the meaning indicated, unless
the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
BLIGHTED BUILDING
Any building or portion thereof, along with the lot on which
it exists, that poses a serious or immediate danger to the health,
safety or general welfare of the public or is not being maintained,
is dilapidated, or is an obvious nuisance as deemed by the Code Official.
Examples include, but are not limited to, missing or boarded windows
or doors; collapsing or missing walls, roofs or floors; seriously
damaged or missing siding; structurally faulty foundations; garbage,
trash or abandoned/unregistered vehicles on premises; overgrown diseased,
dead or decayed trees, weeds and vegetation; unmaintained swimming
pool, pond, or other body of water; graffiti; fire damage; harbors
vermin or other animal nuisances.
BOARDED
A building or structure where, in place of one or more exterior
doors, other than a storm door or of one or more windows, there is
plywood or similar material covering the space for such door or window
so that a door or window is secured.
BUILDING
Any combination of materials having a roof and enclosed within
exterior walls or firewalls, built to form a structure for the shelter
of persons or property, excluding accessory structures that are incidental
to the principal structure located on the same lot.
COMMERCIAL STOREFRONT
Any area within a building that may be individually leased
or rented for commercial use.
EVIDENCE OF VACANCY
A condition that on its own or combined with other conditions
would reasonably be believed that the property is vacant, which includes,
but is not limited to, overgrown or dead vegetation; accumulation
of newspapers, circulars, or mail; past due utility notices or disconnected
utilities; accumulation of trash or debris; absence of window coverings
(curtains, blinds); absence of furnishings or personal items associated
with residential habitation; and statements from neighbors, delivery
agents, government officials, etc. that the property is vacant.
OCCUPIED
A building or structure where one or more persons actually
conducts a lawful business in all or any part of the building as the
licensed business occupant, or as the legal or equitable owner/occupant(s)
or tenant(s) on a permanent, nontransient basis, or any combination
of the same. For purposes of this article, evidence offered to prove
that a building is so occupied may include, but shall not be limited
to, proof of continual electric, gas, heating, and water and sewer
services.
OWNER
Any person, beneficiary, co-partnership, association, trust,
corporation or fiduciary having a legal or equitable title or interest
in any real property.
OWNER OF RECORD
The person or legal entity having a recorded title to the
property that has, at any given time, been recorded in the Maryland
Land Records.
PROPERTY PLAN
This plan identifies the owner's plans for the building
or structure; its current status; and the measures in place to ensure
that the building is secured and how it will be maintained, in compliance
with applicable Town Codes.
SECURED
A building or structure that has a permanent door or window
in each appropriate building opening that is secured to deter vandalism
and unauthorized entry, and has all its door and window components,
including frames, jambs, rails, stiles, muntins, mullions, panels,
sashes, lights and panes intact and unbroken.
UNSECURED
Any vacant or abandoned building or structure not continuously
secured, maintained, locked or boarded to deter vandalism and unauthorized
entry; fails to provide protection from weather damage; and is an
attractive nuisance to children, vagrants, criminals, or other unauthorized
persons.
VACANT
A building structure in which there is no habitual presence
of persons who have a legal right to be on the premises, or in which
all lawful business, construction activity, or residential occupancy
has substantially ceased, or which is substantially devoid of contents.
The Town shall notify a property owner of a building or structure
that is deemed vacant or blighted. The notice shall include supporting
documentation, such as photos, water usage reports, or any such information
in support of the determination.
The owner, or the responsible person or agent for the owner,
shall notify the Town Code Official within 30 days of any change to
the information contained in the registration statement on file with
the Town.
Properties not registered after 30 days notice shall be fined
$100. If unpaid, within 90 days the fine will become a lien on the
property and collected in the same manner as real estate taxes.
The property owner shall have 30 days from the date of the report
to appeal the determination or to provide evidence in writing to the
Code Official showing proof that the property is not vacant or blighted.
Upon receipt, the Code Official will schedule a hearing within 10
days before the Housing Review Board for a final determination as
to whether or not the building or structure is vacant and/or blighted.