(June 23, 2016) The vacant building ordinance that has been the subject of debate in recent months in Snow Hill reemerged as a vacant building registration during last week’s meeting of the mayor and council.
“We can get heavier handed as we go along,” Michael Day, economic development consultant, said. “We needed to know what is out there and what is vacant.”
The stated purpose of the ordinance is to “establish a mechanism to protect residential and commercial neighborhoods from becoming blighted through lack of adequate maintenance and to ensure the safety of vacant properties.”
What is considered a blighted building by the town is under the discretion of a code officer, but some factors in defining a blighted building include collapsing or missing walls, roofs or floors, seriously damaged or missing siding, structurally faulty foundations and fire damage.
Buildings falling under the ordinance must show evidence of vacancy for 90 consecutive days. Such evidence of vacancy includes habitual emptiness, attracts illegal activity as documented by the SHPD, is a fire hazard and interferes with the lawful enjoyment of neighboring properties. Partially constructed, deconstructed or demolished buildings where work was abandoned and no current building or demolition permits could also fall under the ordinance, but is subject to additional conditions.
There are two exemptions: residents on extended vacations or have alternative living arrangements, like spending winter elsewhere, and buildings that have suffered fire damage if cleanup and repairs are completed within 120 days of the event — this exemption must be formally requested in writing, according to the ordinance.
Buildings whose residents do leave for extended periods of time must have a verified emergency contact, and the property must be maintained during the absence by a local person or agent.
Snow Hill is bound by the ordinance to provide property owners with a notice and supporting evidence before a property can be declared vacant.
Whether properties are vacant and secured, vacant and unsecured or vacant and boarded, registration is required under the ordinance.
If the property is registered within 30 days of the notice the town must provide, there is no fee for registration, and updates to an existing registration must be completed within 30 days of a change.
Properties not registered within 30 days will be fined $100. If unpaid within 90 days the fine will become a lien, according to the ordinance.
Those wishing to appeal a decision of the code officer must first notify the code officer, who will prepare a hearing before the housing review board within 10 days.
The ordinance passed first reading unanimously, and is scheduled for second reading during the next town meeting on July 12 at 7 p.m. in the train station.
“We can get heavier handed as we go along,” Michael Day, economic development consultant, said. “We needed to know what is out there and what is vacant.”
The stated purpose of the ordinance is to “establish a mechanism to protect residential and commercial neighborhoods from becoming blighted through lack of adequate maintenance and to ensure the safety of vacant properties.”
What is considered a blighted building by the town is under the discretion of a code officer, but some factors in defining a blighted building include collapsing or missing walls, roofs or floors, seriously damaged or missing siding, structurally faulty foundations and fire damage.
Buildings falling under the ordinance must show evidence of vacancy for 90 consecutive days. Such evidence of vacancy includes habitual emptiness, attracts illegal activity as documented by the SHPD, is a fire hazard and interferes with the lawful enjoyment of neighboring properties. Partially constructed, deconstructed or demolished buildings where work was abandoned and no current building or demolition permits could also fall under the ordinance, but is subject to additional conditions.
There are two exemptions: residents on extended vacations or have alternative living arrangements, like spending winter elsewhere, and buildings that have suffered fire damage if cleanup and repairs are completed within 120 days of the event — this exemption must be formally requested in writing, according to the ordinance.
Buildings whose residents do leave for extended periods of time must have a verified emergency contact, and the property must be maintained during the absence by a local person or agent.
Snow Hill is bound by the ordinance to provide property owners with a notice and supporting evidence before a property can be declared vacant.
Whether properties are vacant and secured, vacant and unsecured or vacant and boarded, registration is required under the ordinance.
If the property is registered within 30 days of the notice the town must provide, there is no fee for registration, and updates to an existing registration must be completed within 30 days of a change.
Properties not registered within 30 days will be fined $100. If unpaid within 90 days the fine will become a lien, according to the ordinance.
Those wishing to appeal a decision of the code officer must first notify the code officer, who will prepare a hearing before the housing review board within 10 days.
The ordinance passed first reading unanimously, and is scheduled for second reading during the next town meeting on July 12 at 7 p.m. in the train station.