§ 18-1305. Notice of vacant building.

(a)

Upon reasonable suspicion that a building may be a vacant building as determined by the administrator or receipt of a complaint about a vacant building, the administrator may inspect or cause an inspection of the property in order to determine if the building should be classified as a vacant building.

(b)

If the administrator determines that a building may be classified as a vacant building under this article, the administrator:

(1)

Shall attempt to contact the owner or an agent of the owner, identified by any sign posted on the property, by telephone or by electronic communication, and advise the owner or agent that the building is a vacant building and that the following measures need to be taken by the owner:

a.

File a completed vacant building registration as more particularly described in section 18-1306(a) within seven days from receipt of the notice given pursuant to subsection (b)(2) of this section;

b.

Pay the registration fee required by section 18-1308;

c.

Take action to correct any code violations; and

d.

Take measures to secure the building by normal or other than normal means within seven days from receipt of the notice given pursuant to subsection (b)(2) of this section;

(2)

Shall mail a notice to the owner, with a copy to any agent identified by any sign posted on the property that advises the owner that the building is a vacant building and that the following measures need to be taken by the owner:

a.

File a completed vacant building registration as more particularly described in section 18-1306(a) within seven days from receipt of the notice given pursuant to this subsection;

b.

Pay the registration fee required by section 18-1308;

c.

Take action to correct any code violations; and

d.

Take measures to secure the building by normal or other than normal means within seven days from receipt of the notice given pursuant to this subsection;

(3)

May post notice on the building that it appears that the building is a vacant building and that the following measures need to be taken by the owner:

a.

File a completed vacant building registration as more particularly described in section 18-1306(a) within seven days from the receipt of the notice given pursuant to section (b)(2) of this section;

b.

Pay the registration fee required by section 18-1308;

c.

Take action to correct any code violations; and

d.

Take measures to secure the building by normal or other than normal means within seven days from the receipt of the notice given pursuant to section (b)(2) of this section; and

(4)

May issue a citation or file a complaint in municipal court for any violations of this article or other applicable provisions of this Code.

(c)

The notice under subsection (b)(2) of this section must comply with the requirements of V.T.C.A., Local Government Code § 54.005.

(d)

If the owner disputes the administrator's determination that the building should be classified as a vacant building under this article, the owner shall file a written notice of appeal with the administrator within seven days from receipt of the notice provided in this section. The administrator shall schedule a hearing before the construction board of adjustments and appeals to determine whether the building should be classified as a vacant building under this article.

(e)

The owner may appeal the decision rendered by the construction board of adjustments and appeals under subsection (d) to the city council if the owner files the appeal in writing within ten days of such decision on forms provided by the city clerk.

(Ord. No. 11,030, § 2, 12-11-08; Ord. No. 11,803, § 12, 11-21-11)