Title
AN ACT CONCERNING VACANT ATTACHED PROPERTY for the purpose of strengthening enforcement of housing and property standards on vacant attached properties; providing the process for application, issuance, and execution of administrative search warrants for the purpose of Code enforcement; defining vacant unmaintained attached vacant dwelling or building; providing for a process for conducting internal inspections for unmaintained vacant attached properties; and generally relating to vacant property.
Body
FOR USE BY COUNCIL ADMINISTRATION:
Confidential: Yes
Requested by: Eric Olson
Assigned to: Josh Hamlin
Legislastion Type: Bill
Need by Date:
Background Necessitating Legislation:
The purpose of this bill is to address vacant attached homes, such as townhouses, duplexes, and triplexes, that create health and safety problems for neighboring residents, including rodents, insects, water leaks, mold, and other hazardous conditions that spread between shared-wall properties.
This legislation would authorize DPIE to investigate and enforce violations when conditions inside a vacant attached property negatively impact neighboring residences. After reasonable efforts to contact the property owner and provide due process, DPIE may issue citations and escalating fines, seek court authorization to enter the property to address hazardous conditions, and recover costs through a lien placed on the property if necessary.
The bill would also establish a clear enforcement process and a meaningful fine structure designed to encourage timely corrective action.
Special Instructions/Concerns/Time Critical Information:
Agencies or Individuals to Contact:
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Comments/Notes:
AN ACT concerning Vacant Attached Property for the purpose of strengthening enforcement of housing and property standards on vacant attached properties; providing the process for application, issuance, and execution of administrative search warrants for the purpose of Code enforcement; defining vacant unmaintained attached vacant dwelling or building; providing for a process for conducting internal inspections for unmaintained vacant attached properties; and generally relating to vacant property.
DRAFTER PLEASE COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:
Proposer(s): Council Member Olson
Background
This bill will authorize the application for and issuance of an administrative search warrant for the purposes of Code enforcement. It will also define and add certain enforcement procedures for unmaintained attached vacant dwelling or buildings, including remediation by the County of violations at the expense of the property owner in certain circumstances.
REMINDER: Attach the Legislative file document