(a) 
No person, firm, association or corporation shall erect, install, place, or maintain boards over the doors, windows or other opening of any building or structure or otherwise secure such opening by a means other than the conventional method used in original construction and design of the building or structure without first obtaining a valid boarding-up permit in accordance with this section. Any properties with boards existing at the time of the adoption of this section will have 60 days from the date of the adoption of this section to submit an application to the city's neighborhood services department for a permit to continue to board.
(b) 
The neighborhood services department may issue a boarding-up permit only upon satisfaction of the following conditions:
(1) 
Submission of a written application by the owner of the property or his authorized representative, including the following information:
a. 
Name, address and telephone number of the owner;
b. 
Name, address and telephone number of any local agent of the owner;
c. 
Tax parcel identification number of the premises on which the structure is situated;
d. 
Common address of the structure; and
e. 
Other information as may be required by the department.
(2) 
Payment of the required permit fee by the owner of the property or his/her authorized representative as set forth in appendix A; and
(3) 
Submission of a written statement or plan by the owner of the property or his authorized representative specifying:
a. 
Length of time the owner expects the boarding-up to continue;
b. 
Proposed plan to secure or board up the structure including a detailed description regarding the manner and materials; and
c. 
Proposed maintenance plan detailing the monitoring and maintenance of the structure and premises.
(c) 
The city may conduct an inspection of the subject property to ensure that the structure is boarded-up in accordance with the approved plan as described in subsection (b)(3).
(d) 
A permit issued pursuant to this section shall authorize the boarding-up or other securing of a building or structure for a period of six months. An owner of a property desiring to continue to board his property beyond the six-month term must submit a renewal application to renew the permit and continue to meet the requirements for the issuance of a new permit. The permit may be renewed within 30 days of the expiration of the original upon payment of necessary fees. A new permit must be obtained if the original permit is not renewed within 30 days of the expiration of the original permit.
(e) 
No permit shall be required to board-up a building for up to 30 days in the event of a temporary emergency situation, including but not limited to, damage caused by vandalism, theft, or weather. In the event an emergency situation requires a building or structure to be boarded-up for more than 30 days, the owner of the building or structure or his authorized representative must obtain a valid building permit for repair or a valid boarding-up permit in accordance with this section.
(f) 
The boarding of doors, windows, or other openings of any building or structure or any means of securing such openings, other than by the conventional method used in the original construction and design of the building or structure, shall be according to the specifications approved under the permit. All boarded openings shall be painted with a minimum of two coats of exterior paint, which is of a color compatible with the exterior color of the building or structure.
(g) 
Any structure which is boarded shall be in compliance with all applicable codes and ordinances of the city.
(h) 
Any building or structure which is boarded-up shall be posted with the name, permit information, and contact phone of the local agent.
[Ord. No. 1269-14, § 1, 5-6-2014]