Willowick approves Vacant Property Registration Ordinance

 

Willowick, OH: City council members approved measures in May to set up vacant property registration for structures within town limits.

 

The conversation of registration had been an ongoing one since a 2012 city council meeting withdrew four proposed ordinances for addressing the registration of vacant buildings, notifications in foreclosure cases, demolitions, and inspections of uninhabited buildings.

 

The approved ordinance stipulates a different set of rules for residential and commercial properties:

 

Vacant residential properties are $150 for year one, $200 for year two, and a capped $250 fee for vacant homes in year three and beyond; fee increases apply only to consecutive years of vacancy.

 

Vacant commercial properties are $300 for year one, increasing by $100 each consecutive year to a cap of five years vacant at a $600 annual fee.

 

Typical VPR ordinance requirements were included in the measures – trash/debris removal, lawn care, structure cleanliness, etc. – in order to maintain the safety and security of the property and those residing in the neighborhoods of the vacant structures.

 

Ascent combines focused experience with centralized operations oversite to create innovative solutions for municipal code violation negotiations, vacant building registration, and vendor management services across the entire United States.