§ 8-483. Vacant properties.

(a)

Upon any building or structure located within the corporate city limits becoming vacant, the owner of such building or structure shall have 60 days from the first date of vacancy to register such building or structure in the same manner as provided in sections 8-471 and 8-474 and said statement must include an agent designation as provided in section 8-472 as well as a written comprehensive plan of action detailing a timeline for correcting any Code violations, any rehabilitation required, the maintenance that will be performed while the building or structure is vacant and the future use of the building or structure and pay a registration fee of $200.00.

(b)

The owner of any vacant building or structure subject to this section shall be required to update the plan of action provided with the registration statement and pay a fee of $200.00 every year the said building or structure remains vacant.

(c)

Any vacant building or structure registered pursuant to this section shall be subject to inspection to verify the status of the plan of action submitted.

(d)

In addition to the registration statement in subsection (a) above, the owner of any vacant building or structure shall provide written notice, within 30 days, of a change in: (1) ownership of the property, including a copy of the deed; (2) contact information for either the owner or the designated agent.

(e)

Upon identification of a vacant building or structure by an enforcement officer that has not been registered under this section, a written notice shall be issued to the property owner by means of personal service, or by first class mail to their last known address of record, and by posting on the property. The owner of said vacant building or structure shall have 30 days from the date the written notice is issued in which to register.

(f)

Properties that are vacant and in default or bank owned (REO) remain subject to the registration requirements as set forth in section 8-481 and are exempt from the requirements of this section.

(g)

This registration requirement shall not apply to:

(1)

Any governmental entity, excluding government sponsored entities (G.S.E.'s), any public authority or any quasi-public, nonprofit corporation engaged in housing development, management or operation under contract with a governmental entity.

(2)

Any owner who has a current and valid license as required by section 19-226 with respect to the subject parcel.

(3)

Any owner who intends for the building or structure to be his/her/its domicile regardless of whether said building or structure is occupied for all 12 months of the year.

(4)

Any owner who has listed the building or structure for sale with a licensed real estate agent or broker.

(h)

Upon written request from an owner of an unoccupied building or structure, the codes administrator may approve of an existing use of said building or structure if, after verification of the records on file in the codes administration office to determine there have been no code violations on the subject property for the preceding 12 months and after inspection, it is found that such use is a permitted and lawful use under current code requirements, and, provided further, that no fire hazards or other hazards are found in such building or structure or part thereof, and relieve said owner of the registration fee required under this section.

(Ord. No. O-12-17 , § 6, 6-29-2017; Ord. No. O-6-18 , § 8, 2-22-2018)