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9-5 VACANT COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS.
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Vacant commercial buildings are a major cause and source of blight, especially when the owner fails to actively maintain and manage the building. Vacant buildings, whether boarded, substandard, unkempt or long-term vacant discourage economic development, hinder the appreciation of property values and have a detrimental impact on the economic viability of commercial areas. Vacant commercial buildings are an attractive nuisance to children, a harborage for rodents, an increased fire hazard and invite criminal activity, such as squatting, vandalism and dumping. These activities and the eyesore of boarded, substandard and unkempt vacant buildings deter would-be customers from the area and negatively impact surrounding neighborhoods.

One (1) vacant commercial building that is not actively and well maintained and managed can be the core and cause of spreading blight. A long-term vacant building, even in the absence of code violations, is detrimental to the health, safety and welfare of the community and contrary to the intended property use. Vacant commercial buildings require more frequent monitoring by code enforcement, police and Building Department staff. This is a disproportionate use of resources that diverts staff time and resources away from addressing other issues in the community and results in a greater cost to the City. These costs should be borne by the property owner and not the community at large.

The purpose of the vacant commercial building registration and monitoring program is to discourage property owners from allowing buildings to remain vacant, ensure they are properly secured and maintained, help prevent the buildings from becoming a burden to the residents and taxpayers of the City and provide the basis for returning the properties to their intended use.

The provisions of this section are to be supplementary and complementary to all the provisions of the City Code, State and Federal law, and any other statutes or regulations, and nothing in this section shall be read, interpreted or construed in any manner so as to limit any existing right or power of the City to abate or prosecute any and all violations and nuisances. (Ord. #230-2019, S2)