Knowledge Base

Per City Code 1375.02, a "vacant building" is

• Unoccupied and unsecured; or
• Unoccupied and secured by other than normal means; or 
• Unoccupied and an unsafe building as determined by the Community Development Department; or
• Unoccupied and having utilities disconnected; or 
• Unoccupied and has housing or building code violations; or
• Illegally occupied, which shall include loitering and vagrancy; or 
• Unoccupied for a period of time over 90 days and having an existing code violation issued by the Code Enforcement Office; or
• Unoccupied with a mortgage status of abandonment (i.e. deceased or foreclosed); or
• Unoccupied and abandoned by the property owner.

"Evidence of vacancy" are conditions present that would lead a reasonable person to believe a property is vacant. Such conditions include (but not limited to),

• Below standard utility usage
• Overgrown and/or dead vegetation
• Accumulation of newspapers, mail or flyers
• Accumulation of trash, junk or debris
• Broken or boarded up windows 
• Abandoned vehicles, auto parts or materials
• Absence of window coverings
• Absence of furnishings an/or personal items
• Statement by a governmental employee(s) that the property is vacant.

Vacant properties can negatively affect property values and attract criminal activity like vandalism, squatting and illegal dumping. They also can pose a safety risk by becoming a breeding ground for pests, mold and health hazards. You can report vacant properties to the Code Enforcement Office at 440-392-5922.