A. 
Neglected vacant or abandoned buildings are a major cause and source of blight in residential and nonresidential neighborhoods, especially when the owner of the building fails to maintain and manage the building to ensure that it does not become a liability to the neighborhood. Neglected vacant or abandoned buildings often attract children, vagrants, and criminal activity. The properties are also vulnerable to be set on fire by transients and others using the property illegally. The presence of neglected vacant or abandoned buildings can lead to neighborhood decline, create an attractive public nuisance, lower property values, and discourage economic development in the area.
B. 
It is the responsibility of property owners, lenders, trustees, or others with possessory, equitable, or legal interests in the neglected vacant or abandoned buildings, including without limitation, historic buildings or structures, to maintain, secure, and prevent these buildings from becoming a burden to the neighborhood and community or a threat to the public health, safety, and welfare. The purpose of this section is to provide standards for maintaining vacant and abandoned buildings and to establish a monitoring program for those that are determined to be neglected.
(Ord. 1789 § 2)
The definitions set forth in this section shall govern the application and interpretation of this section.
"Abandoned"
means a property, including a residence, building, or structure, or any structural improvement on real property, that is vacant and is (1) under a current notice of default and/or notice of trustee's sale; (2) subject to foreclosure sale where title was retained by the beneficiary of a deed of trust, or (3) transferred under a deed in-lieu of foreclosure/sale.
"Beneficiary"
means a lender under a note secured by a deed of trust.
"Deed in-lieu of foreclosure/sale"
means recorded document that transfers ownership of real property from the trustor to the holder of the deed of trust upon consent of the beneficiary of the deed of trust.
"Deed of trust"
means an instrument by which title to real property is transferred to a third party trustee as security for a real estate loan. This definition applies to any and all subsequent deeds of trusts.
"Default"
means the failure to comply or fulfill any contractual obligation under the deed of trust.
"Director"
means the director of planning and development services, or designee, or such other director designated by the city administrator to administer this section.
"Foreclosure"
means the process by which real property, placed as security for a real estate loan, is sold at an auction to satisfy the debt when the trustor (borrower) defaults on the real estate loan.
"Historic"
means any building or structure that is listed on (1) the National Register of Historic Places; (2) the California Register of Historic Resources; or (3) deemed of importance to history, architecture or culture of the area by the City of Oroville.
"Neglected vacant building or structure"
means any vacant building or structure that is not maintained in accordance with this section.
"Notice of default"
means a recorded notice that a default has occurred under a deed of trust and the beneficiary intends to proceed with a trustee's sale of the real property or asserts any of its rights under the deed of trust.
"Owner"
means the owner of record of real property, or the occupant, lessee, or interest holder, as the case may be.
"Property"
means any improved real property, or portion thereof, situated in the city and includes any residence, building, structure, or any other improvement located on the real property.
"Rehabilitation"
means taking corrective action to meet the minimum standards set forth in this section and complying with any other applicable provisions of the Oroville Municipal Code so the property is not a public nuisance.
"Trustee"
means any person, partnership, association, company, corporation, or any other person or entity holding a deed of trust on a property.
"Trustor"
means a borrower under a deed of trust who deeds property to a trustee as security for the payment of a debt.
"Vacant"
means a building or structure that is unoccupied or occupied by unauthorized persons for any amount of time.
(Ord. 1789 § 2)
A. 
Every owner of a property shall maintain the property in accordance with this section and Title 9 of the Oroville Municipal Code. If at any time the vacant or abandoned building or structure does not meet these standards the property shall be registered by the owner into the vacant or abandoned building monitoring program as listed in Sections 9.12.120 through 9.12.190. If the director is unable to locate the owner, or the owner refuses or otherwise fails to register the property, the director shall register the property. Following the property being registered into the vacant or abandoned building monitoring program the owner shall be sent the vacant or abandoned building monitoring program fee payment form by first class mail, postage prepaid, and/or personal service. The fees shall be paid within 30 days of the date of the fee payment form.
B. 
Every owner of a property is liable for violation of this section regardless of any contract or agreement the owner has with any third party.
C. 
Except as otherwise provided herein, the director shall have the authority to enforce the provisions of this section.
D. 
Any property in violation of this section shall constitute a public nuisance.
(Ord. 1789 § 2)