[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of
Mount Oliver as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where
applicable.]
[Adopted 11-16-2009 by Ord. No. 915]
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
The Borough Code Enforcement Officer, or duly authorized
representative.
A building or portion of a building which is open to entry
by unauthorized persons without the use of tools or ladders.
A building shall be deemed to be vacant if no person or persons
actually, currently conducts a lawfully licensed business, or lawfully
resides or lives in any part of the building as the owner or occupant
on a permanent, nontransient basis.
A.
The owner of the vacant building shall register the building with
the Enforcement Officer no later than 30 days after the building becomes
vacant.
A.
The owner of the vacant building shall pay an annual registration
fee in the amount of $100 for each registered commercial building
and $50 for each residential building, subject to increase from time
to time by a majority vote of Borough Council. If the owner believes
that he is able to fill the vacancy within 180 days, or if the property
is actively being marketed for lease or for sale, then the owner may
file for an exemption, in which case the owner must still register
the building, but may be exempt from the fee.
[Amended 5-20-2013 by Ord. No. 934; 6-20-2016 by Ord. No. 957]
B.
The first annual fee shall be paid no later than 30 days after the
building becomes vacant or within 30 days after acquiring ownership
of any vacant building not currently registered. The annual registration
fee shall accompany the registration form. The fee and registration
form shall remain valid for 12 months from the date of registration.
Subsequent registrations shall constitute as a renewal. The owner
shall be required to renew the registration for successive twelvemonth
periods as long as the building remains vacant for any part thereof.
The fee for a renewal shall be $200 for each commercial building and
$100 for each residential building, subject to increase from time
to time by a majority vote of Borough Council.
[Amended 5-20-2013 by Ord. No. 934; 6-20-2016 by Ord. No. 957]
C.
The fee
shall be paid in full prior to the issuance of any building permits.
A.
In order to encourage the prompt renovation of properties, the owner
of a fire-damaged building may be exempt from paying the building
fee required under this article, provided that within 30 days from
the date of the fire, the owner at the time of the fire submits a
request for an exemption in writing to the Enforcement Officer. This
request shall include the following information supplied by the owner:
B.
An exemption granted under this section shall be valid for no more
than 90 days.
The failure or refusal for any reason by any owner to register
a vacant building or to pay any fees pursuant to this article, within
30 days after they become due, shall constitute a violation punishable,
upon conviction, by the filing of a lien upon the said property for
the registration fee, and a fine of no less than $100 for each failure
or refusal to register or each failure or refusal to pay the required
registration fee.