§ 18-209. Registration of vacant property.

(a)

Registration by owner. Every owner of vacant property shall register with the city by filing a registration application prescribed by the city within ten days of vacancy. Vacant property, on which a registration is existing at the time of the enactment of this ordinance [March 5, 2012] must re-register pursuant to this section within 30 days.

(b)

A registration application shall contain at least the following information:

(1)

The address and parcel control number of the vacant property;

(2)

For purposes of notice, the name, telephone number, mailing address, and e-mail address of the owner;

(3)

For purposes of notice, the name, telephone number, mailing address, and e-mail address of an individual or entity designated by the owner who has the authority to make decisions concerning the abatement of nuisance conditions at the vacant property, as well as any expenditure in connection therewith;

(4)

The city reserves the right to require such other information as needed to carry out the public purpose and intent of this article.

(c)

An annual registration fee, per property, for the vacant property registration, shall be established by resolution of the city commission and kept on file in the development services department. Such fee shall accompany the registration form and shall be for the costs of registration and enforcement and the protection against and removal of blight and real property deterioration. Said fees shall be deposited to a special revenue account dedicated to the cost of the development services department's implementation and enforcement of this article and any registries so required.

(d)

Registration pursuant to this section shall be required annually for as long as the property is vacant and shall remain a continuing obligation for a period of one year from the date that the property is no longer vacant. A case initiated pursuant to this section may be presented to the special magistrate even if, prior to a hearing, the property is no longer vacant or no longer showing evidence of distress.

(e)

Properties subject to this section shall remain under the registration requirement, and the inspection, security, and maintenance standards set forth in sections 18-211 and 18-212 of this Code as long as they remain vacant.

(f)

Any person or other legal entity that has registered a property under this section must report any change of information contained in the registration within ten days of the change. There shall be no fee to update the current owner's information.

(g)

Failure of the property owner of record to properly register or to modify the registration from time to time to reflect a change of circumstances as required by this ordinance [Ordinance No. 4410-12] is a violation of this article and shall be subject to enforcement by any of the enforcement means available to the city.

(h)

Pursuant to a finding by the special magistrate that any property is in violation of this article the city may take the necessary action to ensure compliance with and place a lien on the property for the cost of the work performed to benefit the property and to bring it into compliance.

(Ord. No. 4410-12, § 4, 3-5-2012)