[Adopted 5-12-1998 by Ord. No. 1998-4]
The following is a sample letter of notice to the property owner:
(Letterhead) |
| (Date) |
Notice of Warning For Control of a Building Used for Drugs or Crime |
(Name) |
(Address) |
Dear Sir/Madam, |
You are hereby notified that your property, located at _______________, Snow Hill, Worcester County, Maryland has been found to be in violation of Snow Hill Town Ordinance Number 1998-4. |
The cause of this violation is: |
If you continue to rent to these person(s) or allow the use of your property to be used in this manner you will be liable for a fine of $100 for a first offense, and a fine of $300 for a second or subsequent offense. The Snow Hill Police Department will work with you to correct this problem if you so desire. The department's address and phone number is: 103 Bank Street, Snow Hill, MD. 21863, phone number (410)632-2444. |
| ____________________________ Police Officer, Snow Hill Police Department |
[Adopted 7-12-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-01]
The following terms shall have the meaning indicated, unless the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
BLIGHTED BUILDING Any building or portion thereof, along with the lot on which it exists, that poses a serious or immediate danger to the health, safety or general welfare of the public or is not being maintained, is dilapidated, or is an obvious nuisance as deemed by the Code Official. Examples include, but are not limited to, missing or boarded windows or doors; collapsing or missing walls, roofs or floors; seriously damaged or missing siding; structurally faulty foundations; garbage, trash or abandoned/unregistered vehicles on premises; overgrown diseased, dead or decayed trees, weeds and vegetation; unmaintained swimming pool, pond, or other body of water; graffiti; fire damage; harbors vermin or other animal nuisances.
BOARDED A building or structure where, in place of one or more exterior doors, other than a storm door or of one or more windows, there is plywood or similar material covering the space for such door or window so that a door or window is secured.
BUILDING Any combination of materials having a roof and enclosed within exterior walls or firewalls, built to form a structure for the shelter of persons or property, excluding accessory structures that are incidental to the principal structure located on the same lot.
COMMERCIAL STOREFRONT Any area within a building that may be individually leased or rented for commercial use.
EVIDENCE OF VACANCY A condition that on its own or combined with other conditions would reasonably be believed that the property is vacant, which includes, but is not limited to, overgrown or dead vegetation; accumulation of newspapers, circulars, or mail; past due utility notices or disconnected utilities; accumulation of trash or debris; absence of window coverings (curtains, blinds); absence of furnishings or personal items associated with residential habitation; and statements from neighbors, delivery agents, government officials, etc. that the property is vacant.
OCCUPIED A building or structure where one or more persons actually conducts a lawful business in all or any part of the building as the licensed business occupant, or as the legal or equitable owner/occupant(s) or tenant(s) on a permanent, nontransient basis, or any combination of the same. For purposes of this article, evidence offered to prove that a building is so occupied may include, but shall not be limited to, proof of continual electric, gas, heating, and water and sewer services.
OWNER Any person, beneficiary, co-partnership, association, trust, corporation or fiduciary having a legal or equitable title or interest in any real property.
OWNER OF RECORD The person or legal entity having a recorded title to the property that has, at any given time, been recorded in the Maryland Land Records.
PROPERTY PLAN This plan identifies the owner's plans for the building or structure; its current status; and the measures in place to ensure that the building is secured and how it will be maintained, in compliance with applicable Town Codes.
SECURED A building or structure that has a permanent door or window in each appropriate building opening that is secured to deter vandalism and unauthorized entry, and has all its door and window components, including frames, jambs, rails, stiles, muntins, mullions, panels, sashes, lights and panes intact and unbroken.
UNSECURED Any vacant or abandoned building or structure not continuously secured, maintained, locked or boarded to deter vandalism and unauthorized entry; fails to provide protection from weather damage; and is an attractive nuisance to children, vagrants, criminals, or other unauthorized persons.
VACANT A building structure in which there is no habitual presence of persons who have a legal right to be on the premises, or in which all lawful business, construction activity, or residential occupancy has substantially ceased, or which is substantially devoid of contents.
The Town shall notify a property owner of a building or structure that is deemed vacant or blighted. The notice shall include supporting documentation, such as photos, water usage reports, or any such information in support of the determination.
The owner, or the responsible person or agent for the owner, shall notify the Town Code Official within 30 days of any change to the information contained in the registration statement on file with the Town.
Properties not registered after 30 days notice shall be fined $100. If unpaid, within 90 days the fine will become a lien on the property and collected in the same manner as real estate taxes.
The property owner shall have 30 days from the date of the report to appeal the determination or to provide evidence in writing to the Code Official showing proof that the property is not vacant or blighted. Upon receipt, the Code Official will schedule a hearing within 10 days before the Housing Review Board for a final determination as to whether or not the building or structure is vacant and/or blighted.