9-5.10 Boarding Permit.
a. No person shall erect, install, place or maintain boards over the doors, windows or other openings of any commercial building or otherwise secure such openings by a means other than the conventional method used in the original construction and design of the building or structure without first applying for and, within ten (10) days of application, completing all steps necessary to the issuance of a boarding permit and thereafter having a valid and current boarding permit.
b. The Enforcement Official shall issue a boarding permit required by subsection (a) of this section upon the submission of a written application by the owner of the property or his/her authorized representative or contractor, upon the payment of the required fee and confirmation through inspection by the Enforcement Official that the boarding or other method of securing the building or structure has been done in compliance with subsection 9-5.11.
c. A boarding permit issued pursuant to this subsection shall authorize the boarding or other securing of a commercial or residential building or structure for a period no greater than thirty (30) days unless all the following requirements are met:
1. The boarding has been done in full compliance with this subsection; and
2. The owner or his or her authorized representative has submitted an extension request in writing within ten (10) days of the expiration of the original permit with the required fee; and
3. The owner has complied with all prior orders and notices regarding the property; and
4. The owner simultaneously submits a detailed plan and timeline for correction, repair or rehabilitation of the property or a detailed plan for the sale of the property to another person, with a provision in the sale for the correction, repair or rehabilitation of the property.
d. A boarding permit for a building or structure may not be extended beyond a six (6) month period nor may a new application for the same property be accepted by the Enforcement Official within one (1) year of the date of expiration of the prior permit, except upon the submission of a written application by the owner of the property or his/her authorized representative or contractor, upon the payment of the required fee, upon the confirmation through inspection by the Enforcement Official that the boarding or other method of securing the building or structure has been done in compliance with this section and upon demonstration that “good cause” for the renewal exists.
1. “Good cause” shall require a factual showing by the owner that the permit renewal is made necessary by conditions or events beyond the owner’s control, such as inability to obtain financing for repair or rehabilitation, inability to locate a suitable buyer, unanticipated delays in construction or rehabilitation, or unanticipated damage to the property; and
2. In addition, where appropriate, “good cause” shall also require a factual showing by the owner that he/she has exercised reasonable and due diligence in attempting to complete the needed repairs, rehabilitations or corrections or in attempting to sell, rent or lease the property. If the Enforcement Official determines that there exists good cause to renew the permit and that all other conditions are met, the permit may be renewed by the Enforcement Official for a period of up to, but not more than, an additional three (3) months, subject to all the same conditions imposed on the original permit.
e. The fees for a boarding permit, including the renewal or extension thereof, shall initially be set at one hundred fifty ($150.00) dollars. The fee includes one (1) inspection by an Enforcement Official. Additional inspections to correct deficiencies identified at the initial inspection shall incur a reinspection fee. (Ord. #230-2019, S2)