Town of Brentwood, MD Article II Vacant Lot Registration

§ 57-7 Definitions.

As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

LOT

An area of land designated as a separate parcel or unit of land on a legally recorded subdivision plat or deed filed among the land records of Prince George's County and assigned a property tax account identification number.

OWNER

The record property owner of the vacant lot, but does not include a governmental entity or an instrumentality or unit of a governmental entity.

VACANT LOT

A lot without a building or other improvement which has an assessed value as determined by the State Department of Assessments and Taxation.

§ 57-8 Registration required.

A. Owner to register annually. By July 1 of each year, beginning July 1, 2014, each owner of a vacant lot shall file a vacant lot registration statement with the Town on a form provided by the Town Administrator or his/her designee.

B. Registration fee. There shall be an annual registration fee for each vacant lot, payable at the time of registration. The amount of such fee is to be established by the Mayor and Council.

C. Purchaser required to register upon acquisition. A new owner of a vacant lot must file a registration statement within 30 days of the acquisition and pay the annual registration fee, unless that fee was already paid by the prior owner.

§ 57-9 Registration requirements.

A. The registration statement shall contain the following information:

(1) A description of the vacant lot by street address, property tax account identification number, and any other information required in order to accurately identify the vacant lot;

(2) The name, address, and telephone number of the property owner of record and, in addition, if the owner is a corporation, limited liability company, limited liability partnership, or limited partnership, the name, address, and telephone number of the resident agent and, if the owner is a partnership or other entity not having a resident agent, the name, address, and telephone number of all partners, owners or officers of the owner or of an authorized agent of the owner; and

(3) The name, address, and telephone number of the owner's authorized agent if an agent has been designated by the owner.

B. A post office box does not suffice as an address for the purposes of the registration statement. The Town Administrator shall be notified within 15 days of any change in the agent designated by the owner or any change in the address of the owner or agent.

§ 57-10 Exception to vacant lot registration requirement.

No registration of a vacant lot is required if:

A. The vacant lot is zoned as residential and the owner occupies a residence on a lot contiguous to the vacant lot;

B. The vacant lot is contiguous to a lot with an occupied building and both lots are under common ownership; or

C. The vacant lot is being utilized as a parking lot in compliance with the county zoning ordinance and other applicable laws.

§ 57-11 Violations and penalties.

A. Municipal infraction. The failure of an owner of a vacant lot to file a registration statement when it is due, to pay the registration fee, or to provide all information required with registration is a municipal infraction with a fine of $200. Each additional 60 days a violation exists is a separate violation subject to an additional fine of $200.

B. Lien on real property. All registration fees, when overdue, are a lien in favor of the Town on the vacant lot and may be collected and enforced in the same manner as delinquent real property taxes.