[Adopted 4-15-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-OR-03]
A.
A vacant residential building is one that is zoned for residential
use and is 1) uninhabited or 2) not occupied by the owner, a tenant
or agent of the owner, or other person having permission of the owner,
on a regular and habitual basis for the usual and customary purposes
for which the building is designed and lawfully permitted. This requirement
does not apply to buildings that are permitted for and undergoing
active construction, renovation or rehabilitation.
B.
A vacant residential lot is one that is zoned residential and is
unimproved but has an assessed value as determined by the State of
Maryland, Department of Assessments and Taxation.
C.
A vacant residential building or lot is required to be registered
with the Town and inspected on an annual basis. The annual registration
fee is $300.
Upon a determination that a vacant building or lot in the Town
is required to be registered and inspected, the record owner of the
property shall be notified by the Town of the requirement to register
the building or lot. The notice shall be made by regular mail to the
address reflected for the property by the State Department of Assessments
and Taxation and shall be posted on the property, at least 20 days
before a municipal infraction is issued.
A violation of this article is a municipal infraction. The penalty
for violation for a first offense shall be a fine of $500. The penalty
for violation for a second or subsequent offense shall be a fine of
$1,000. An unpaid fine for violation of this article shall constitute
a lien on the nonpayor's real property and may be collected as unpaid
taxes are collected.
