Village of Scotia, NY Vacant Building Registry

The owner shall register with the Village Clerk no later than 30 days after any building in the Village becomes a vacant building or not later than 30 days after being notified by the Building Inspector of the requirement to register. The Building Inspector may identify vacant buildings through its routine inspection process as well as through notification by residents, neighborhood associations and other bona fide complaint that a building may be eligible for inclusion on the registry.

The registration shall be submitted on forms provided by the Building Inspector and shall include the following information supplied by the owner:

(1)

A description of the premises.

(2)

The names, addresses, and telephone numbers of the owner or owners. If the owner is a corporation, partnership, or limited liability company, the address for each director, manager, or partner, as the case may be, shall be included. The address must include a street address; a post office box alone is not acceptable.

(3)

If the owner does not reside in Schenectady County or any adjoining county, the name, address, and telephone number of any third party within Schenectady County with whom the owner has entered into a contract or agreement for property management.

(4)

The names and addresses of all known lienholders and all other parties with an ownership interest in the building.

(5)

A telephone number where a responsible party can be reached at all times during business and nonbusiness hours and an email address

(6)

A vacant building plan as described in Subsection C below.

(7)

Incomplete registration forms will not be accepted, and such property shall remain unregistered.

The owner shall submit a vacant building plan which must meet the approval of the Building Inspector. The plan, at a minimum, must contain information from one of the following three choices for the property:

(1)

If the building is to be demolished, a demolition plan indicating the proposed time frame for demolition and the proposed time frame for any necessary permitting through the Village.

(2)

If the building is to remain vacant, a plan for the securing of the building in accordance with standards provided in Article III of this chapter and/or the New York State Uniform Code, if applicable, along with the procedure that will be used to monitor and maintain the property in accordance with Article III of this chapter, and a statement of the reasons why the building will be left vacant.

(3)

If the building is to be returned to appropriate occupancy or use, rehabilitation plans for the property. The rehabilitation plan shall not exceed 365 days, unless the Building Inspector grants an extension upon receipt of a written statement from the owner detailing the reasons for the extension. If no building permit has been applied for within the 365 days, the Building Inspector will send written notification to the owner of the lack of compliance with this section. The owner will be required to file an extension with a revised rehabilitation plan and reasons for noncompliance. Any repairs, improvements or alterations to the property must comply with any applicable zoning, housing, or building codes and must be secured in accordance with Article III of this chapter, if applicable, during the rehabilitation.

All applicable laws and codes shall be complied with by the owner. The owner shall notify the Building Inspector 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 Building Inspector.

The owner and subsequent owners shall keep the building secured and safe and the building and ground properly maintained and monitored as provided in Article III of this chapter.

Failure of the owner or any subsequent owners to maintain the building and premises that results in remedial action taken by the Village shall be grounds for revocation of the approved plan and shall be subject to any applicable penalties provided by the law.

A new owner shall register or reregister the vacant building with the Village Clerk within 30 days of any transfer of an ownership interest in a vacant building. The new owner(s) shall comply with the approved plan and timetable submitted by the previous owner until any proposed changes are submitted and meet the approval of the Building Inspector.

Vacant building fees.

(1)

The owner of a vacant building shall pay to the Village Clerk an annual fee as set forth in Subsection H(2) below for the period the building remains a vacant building. The fee shall be reasonably related to the administrative costs for registering and processing the vacant building owner registration form and for the costs of the Village in monitoring and inspecting the vacant building site. Vacant building registration fees will not be accepted until an application is complete.

(2)

The first-year annual fee shall be $250 and shall be paid no later than 30 days after the building becomes vacant. If the fee is not paid within 30 days of being due, the owner shall be subject to the penalties prescribed below. If a plan is extended beyond 365 days, subsequent annual fees shall be paid as follows:

(a)

For the second year that the building remains vacant: $500;

(b)

For the third year that the building remains vacant: $1,000;

(c)

For the fourth year that the building remains vacant: $1,500; and

(d)

For the fifth and each succeeding year that the building remains vacant: $2,000.

(3)

The fee shall be paid in full prior to the issuance of any building permits, with the exception of a demolition permit.

(4)

All delinquent fees shall be paid by the owner prior to any transfer of an ownership interest in any vacant building. If the fees are not paid prior to any transfer, the new owner shall pay the annual fee no later than 30 days after the transfer of ownership, and subsequent annual fees shall be due on the new anniversary date.