[1]
Editor's Note: Ord. No. 1103 changed the title of this Article from Registration of Vacant Residential Properties to Registration and Inspection of Vacant Residential Properties.
[R.O. 1993 § 512.030; Ord. No. 740 § 1, 12-16-2002]
Every parcel of residential property improved by a residential structure or commercial property improved by a structure containing multiple dwelling units, that is vacant and has been vacant for at least six (6) months and is characterized by violations of the Housing Code shall be registered as a vacant residential structure and shall be subject to the registration fee.
[R.O. 1993 § 512.040; Ord. No. 740 § 1, 12-16-2002]
A. 
Registration. The Building Commissioner for the City of Bel-Nor, Missouri, or his/her designee shall investigate any property that may be subject to registration. Based upon his/her findings, the Building Commissioner may register property as a vacant residential structure subject to this Chapter.
B. 
Notice Of Registration. Within five (5) business days of such registration, the City Clerk shall notify the owners of the registered property by mail at their last known address according to the records of the City of Bel-Nor and St. Louis County. Such notice shall state:
1. 
A description of the property registered;
2. 
A description of the Housing Code violations found on the property;
3. 
The fact that a semiannual registration fee has been levied on the property; and
4. 
The amount of the semiannual registration fee.
C. 
Time To Cure — Reconsideration. Within thirty (30) days of the date of notification, the property owner may complete any improvements to the property that may be necessary to remove the property from registration under this Chapter and may request a reinspection of the property and reconsideration of the levy of the registration fee. Upon receipt of a written request for reconsideration of the levy of the registration fee which sets out the reasons claimed by the property owner as to why the registration fee should be waived, the Building Commissioner may waive levy of the registration fee following timely compliance.
D. 
Appeal Of Registration And/Or Reconsideration To Municipal Court. Within thirty (30) days of the date of such notification or within thirty (30) days of the date of reconsideration by the Building Commissioner, the property owner may appeal the decision to the office of the Municipal Court for the City of Bel-Nor.
[R.O. 1993 § 512.050; Ord. No. 740 § 1, 12-16-2002; Ord. No. 744 § 1, 4-21-2003]
A. 
Amount Of Fee. There is hereby established and assessed a semiannual fee in the amount of two hundred dollars ($200.00) imposed on all owners of property registered under this Chapter.
B. 
Owner Responsible. It shall be the joint and several responsibility of each owner of property registered pursuant to this Chapter to pay the semiannual registration fee.
C. 
Accrual Of Fee. The registration fee shall begin to accrue on the beginning of the second calendar quarter after registration by the Building Commissioner or reconsideration by the Building Commissioner; however, in the event that an appeal is filed with the Municipal Court, the registration fee shall begin to accrue on the beginning of the second calendar quarter after the final decision of the Municipal Judge or court of competent jurisdiction.
D. 
Billing Procedures — Late Penalties. The City Clerk shall cause to be mailed to the owner of property registered under this Chapter, at his/her last known address, a bill for the semiannual registration fee. The fee shall be due and payable within thirty (30) days of mailing. In addition to any other penalties provided by law, if an owner fails to pay the fee assessed for such property within thirty (30) days of the date of mailing, a late payment fee of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) per month shall be assessed for each month during which the fee remains unpaid.
E. 
Failure To Pay Fee Unlawful. It shall be unlawful for any owner of property registered pursuant to this Chapter to fail to pay the registration fee imposed for such property. Any person found guilty of failing to pay any required fee shall be punished as provided in Section 100.220 of the Municipal Code.
F. 
Collection Of Delinquent Fees — Lien On Property And Other Effects Of Delinquent Fees — Foreclosure Proceedings.
1. 
Action To Recover. In addition to any other penalties provided by law, the City may initiate and pursue an action in a court of competent jurisdiction to recover any unpaid fees, interest and penalties from any person liable therefor and, in addition, may recover the cost of such action, including reasonable attorney fees.
2. 
Lien On Property. Any unpaid or delinquent fees, interest and/or penalties, whether or not reduced to judgment, shall constitute a lien against the property for which the fee was originally assessed until the same shall be fully satisfied. The City Clerk is authorized to take all steps necessary to file and perfect such liens as may be required or directed by the Building Commissioner from time to time.
3. 
Obtaining Permits Prohibited. In addition to any other penalties provided by law, if an owner fails to pay the fee assessed for such property, including any late payment fee subsequently imposed, within sixty (60) days of the date of mailing of the initial bill, said owner shall not be permitted to apply for, obtain or renew any City license or permit of any kind until such delinquency has been satisfied.
4. 
Foreclosure. Any registration fees which are delinquent for a period of one (1) year shall be subject to foreclosure proceedings in the same manner as delinquent real property taxes. The owner of the property against which the assessment was originally made shall be able to redeem the property only by presenting evidence that the violations of the applicable Housing Code cited by the Building Commissioner have been cured and presenting payment of all registration fees and penalties.
5. 
Sale Of Property. Upon bona fide sale of the property to an unrelated party, the lien on such property for the registration fees shall be considered released and the delinquent registration fee forgiven.
[Ord. No. 953 § 1, 11-21-2016]
For each parcel owned by a corporation, non-for-profit corporation, limited-liability company or other type of corporate entity, the owner shall register the name, address and phone number of an individual person who has been made responsible for ensuring adequate repairs and maintenance are undertaken on the property to prevent nuisance conditions and correct building code violations. Such registration shall be on a form acceptable to the City.
[Ord. No. 1103, 11-21-2022]
A. 
Any residential structure, single or multi-unit, that has been completely vacant for a continuous twenty-four (24) months period; or is vacant with pending action to foreclose on a mortgage or deed of trust; or is vacant with blighted conditions; or has been placarded by the City as uninhabitable is deemed to be a vacant residential structure and must be inspected.
B. 
In order to ensure the safety of first responders and emergency personnel, as well as the health and safety of the general public and to support property values within the City, vacant structures must be inspected regularly. The amendments have been made as part of the City's ongoing commitment to promote and assure public safety, health and welfare, to prevent deterioration of vacant structures, to ensure the safety of first responders and emergency personnel, to support property values, and to encourage responsible management and use of vacant structures. The exterior and interior of the vacant structure shall be inspected every twenty-four (24) months or two (2) years.
1. 
The interior inspection shall be limited to the vacant portion(s) of the structure to assure compliance with all applicable property maintenance, fire and other City Codes for unoccupied structures. Inspectors will examine the general interior, attic and basement, plumbing, mechanical systems and fire protection, with a focus on ensuring the structure is safe and sound and will not present a danger to any responding emergency personnel.
2. 
The exterior shall be inspected to ensure that doors and windows of a vacant structure are securely closed to prevent unauthorized entry and that the owner maintains the structure sufficient to ensure there is minimal negative economic effect on the neighborhood.
3. 
Results of the vacant property inspection shall be provided to the owner of record as soon as possible following the inspection, and shall be kept on file in the City's housing files until the next scheduled inspection is completed.