It is the finding of the Common Council that buildings which
remain vacant and are not properly secured and maintained are unsightly,
unsafe and have a negative effect on the surrounding community. This
is particularly troublesome in residential and commercial neighborhoods.
The purpose of this article is to establish a program for identifying
and registering vacant buildings, to determine the responsibilities
of owners of vacant buildings and structures, and to speed the rehabilitation
or demolition of vacant properties.
Unless otherwise expressly stated, the following terms shall,
for purposes of this article, have the meanings indicated in this
section:
ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
The Fire Marshal of the City of Oneida or his/her duly authorized
representative.
OWNER
Those shown to be the owner or owners on the records of the
Assessor's Office of the City of Oneida, those identified as the owner
or owners on a vacant building registration form, or any other person,
firm, organization, association, partnership, company or corporation
who holds the legal or beneficial title to any building, facilities
or premises subject to the provisions of this article. Any and all
such persons shall be jointly and severally obligated to comply with
the provisions of this article.
PROPERTY MANAGER
An employee of the City of Oneida designated by the City
Manager, responsible for maintaining the vacant building registry
and monitoring properties on the registry, in coordination with the
enforcement officer.
[Amended 7-18-2023 by L.L. No. 6-2023]
UNOCCUPIED
A building which is not being used for an occupancy authorized
by the owner.
UNSECURED
A building or portion of a building which is open to entry
by unauthorized persons without the use of tools or ladders.
VACANT BUILDING
A building or portion of a building which is:
A.
Unoccupied and unsecured;
B.
Unoccupied and secured by other than normal means;
C.
Unoccupied and determined by an enforcement officer to be an abandoned structure or a dangerous structure as set forth in Article
II of this Chapter;
D.
Unoccupied and has multiple housing or building code violations;
F.
Unoccupied for a period of time exceeding 180 days.
[Amended 7-18-2023 by L.L. No. 6-2023]
The Property Manager shall submit a quarterly report not later
than January 15, April 15, July 15 and October 15 of each year to
the City Manager and Common Council, with copies to the Fire Marshal
and Housing Inspector, listing all buildings in the City declared
vacant under the provisions of this article, the date upon which they
were declared vacant and whether a vacant building registration and
vacant building plan has been filed for the building. The report shall
additionally include a list of all previously declared vacant buildings,
which are no longer subject to the provisions of this article.
Any person violating any provision of Article
IV or providing false information to the enforcement officer relative to the vacant building registry shall be guilty of a violation and, upon conviction, be subject to a fine of $250 or imprisonment of up to 15 days, or both such fine and imprisonment. Each day's violation shall be considered a new and separate offense subject to a separate penalty.