Niles, OH, implements vacant building registration to mitigate blight

Niles, OH: City Council has approved a vacant building registration program, to move costs from the city to owners, to address blighted property.
 

Any vacant property, be it residential or commercial, must file an annual registration. Registration is due within 90 days of vacancy, or within 30 days of notification from the City Building Department, whichever comes first.


If the property owner does not reside within the City, a responsible third party within 10 miles of the City must be listed with current contact information on the registration. The registration must also include a plan for the vacant building, detailing rehabilitation, securing, demolition, and/or the plans for returning the building to an occupied status; the plans must then be approved by the Building Department.


Fees for annual vacant residential property are $200.00 for the first year, and doubling each year thereafter, for a maximum of $3,200.00 at year five and beyond; fees due at time of registration.


Fees for annual vacant commercial property are $400.00 for the first year, and doubling each year thereafter, for a maximum of $6,400.00 at year five and beyond; fees due at time of registration.


Properties with current permits and undergoing current rehabilitation may have the registration fees waived after contacting the Building Department, for the duration of the permit, with evaluation of vacancy status determined upon expiration or completion of the permit or rehabilitation.


Violations of the vacant property registry program, or violation of other associated provisions, will face fines up to $1,000.00 per instance of violations.

 


 

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