It is the purpose and intent of the Village to establish a process
and address abandoned and vacant buildings, foreclosed properties
and properties in foreclosure located within the Village. Such properties
are unsightly and unsafe and can have a negative impact on their surroundings
and neighborhoods and can have a negative impact on property values
and tax base. The purpose of this chapter is to establish requirements
for the identification, registration, inspection, maintenance and
securing of such buildings and properties.
Unless otherwise expressly stated, the following terms shall,
for the purpose of this chapter, have the meanings indicated in this
section:
Village of Scotia Building Inspector.
Those shown to be the owner or owners on the records of the
County of Schenectady Real Property Tax Service, the Glenville Town
Assessor, those identified as the owner(s) on a vacant building registration
form, a mortgagee in possession, a mortgagor in possession, assignee
of rents, receiver, executor, trustee, lessee, other person, firm,
corporation or entity in control of the premises. Any such person
shall 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 of 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 the Building Inspector. In determining
whether a building is unoccupied, the Building Inspector may consider,
among other factors, the following:
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.
Whether the building is substantially devoid of contents or
contains only fixtures or personal property of a minimal value.
Whether the building lacks utility services.
Whether the building is the subject of a foreclosure action.
The presence or recurrence 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 or major portion of a building which is:
Unoccupied and unsecured;
Unoccupied and secured by other than normal means;
Unoccupied and an unsafe building as determined by the Building
Inspector;
Unoccupied and has multiple housing or Building Code violations;
Illegally occupied;
Unoccupied for a period of time over 180 days, and during which
time the Building Inspector has issued an order to correct code violations.
