Explanation: Capitals indicate matter added to existing law.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
* Warning: This is an unofficial, introductory copy of the bill.
The official copy considered by the City Council is the first reader copy.
Introductory*
City of Baltimore
Council Bill
Introduced by: President Mosby
A Bill Entitled
An Ordinance concerning
title
Vacant Structures - Registration Fees and Penalties
For the purpose of revising the registration process for vacant structures; modifying the registration fee for vacant structures; modifying the registration renewal process for vacant structures; modifying the penalties applied to vacant structures in violation of City Code; providing for a special effective date; and generally relating to registration fees and penalties for vacant structures.
body
By repealing and re-ordaining, with amendments,
Article 13 - Housing and Urban Renewal
Sections 4-8(c) and 4-9
Baltimore City Code
(Edition 2000)
By adding
Article 13 - Housing and Urban Renewal
Section 4-8(d)
Baltimore City Code
(Edition 2000)
Section 1. Be it ordained by the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore, That the Laws of Baltimore City read as follows:
Baltimore City Code
Article 13. Housing and Urban Renewal
Subtitle 4. Registration of Non-Owner-Occupied Dwellings,
Rooming Houses, and Vacant Structures
§ 4-8. Registration fees.
(c) Vacant structures.
(1) Increased fee.
Except as otherwise specified in this [section, an annual] subtitle, a one-time registration fee, in addition to any fee that might also be required by subsection (a) or (b) of this section, must be paid for vacant structures at the following rates:
(i) [(1)] for residential structures - [$100] $300 per structure.
(ii) [(2)] for all other structures - [$250] $500 per structure.
(2) Vacant structure penalties.
If a vacant structure has any unabated violation notices or orders issued under the City Building, Fire, and Related Codes Article at the time a registration renewal is required, the amount of the renewal fee is as follows:
(i) $500 at the first registration renewal of the vacant structure, if violations continue unabated;
(ii) $750 at the next renewal if violations continue unabated;
(iii) $1,000 at the time of the next renewal if violations continue
unabated; and
(iv) for subsequent renewals, the fee shall be double the fee charged
the previous year, if violations continue unabated.
§ 4-9. Term and renewal.
(a) In general.
A registration term expires on December 31 of each year, unless:
(1) it is renewed [and the annual registration fee paid before then,]; or
(2) the structure is a vacant structure.
(b) Vacant structure registration term and renewal.
(1) Duration.
A registration for a vacant structure is valid for 6 months from the date of registration.
(2) Renewal period.
A vacant structure registration must be renewed every 6 months until the property is deregistered.
(3) Renewal fee.
A $50 fee must be paid for each registration renewal for a vacant structure.
(4) Renewal fee
The registration fee or renewal fee for a vacant structure is $500 if:
(i) the applicable registration or renewal takes place as the result of the identification of a violation of this subtitle; and
(ii) the applicable registration or renewal does not take place through voluntary and timely compliance with this subtitle.
Section 2. And be it further ordained, That this Ordinance takes effect on the 90th day after the date it is enacted.