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 - 3-1-1 Complaint Fines
For the purpose of establishing a fee structure for repeated substantiated 3-1-1 service requests; providing for a special effective date; and generally relating to fining the owner of a vacant structure for repeated service requests.
body
By adding
Article 13 - Housing and Urban Development
Section(s) 4A-1 though 4A-4 to be under the new subtitle designation,
“Subtitle 4A. Service Request Fines”
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. Housings and Urban Development
Subtitle 4A. Service Request Fines
§ 4A-1. Definitions.
(a) In general.
In this subtitle, the following terms have the meanings indicated.
(b) Code enforcement officer.
“Code enforcement officer” means:
(1) a Baltimore City police officer;
(2) a Special Enforcement Officer appointed under City Code Article 19,
Subtitle 17 {“Special Enforcement Officers”}; or
(3) any City employee who:
(i) is in a position of trust, as defined by the Baltimore City Administrative Manual AM-20-4 {“Positions of Trust”}; and
(ii) has been authorized by the head of the employee’s agency to issue environmental citations.
(c) Director.
“Director” means the Executive Director of the Environmental Control Board of Baltimore City.
(d) Service request.
“Service request” means a complaint submitted to Baltimore City’s 3-1-1 system about the condition or state of a property.
(e) Substantiated service request.
“Substantiated service request” means a service request that a City agency has investigated and determined to be a valid complaint.
(f) Vacant structure.
(1) In general.
“Vacant structure” means any structure that is subject to an unabated violation notice issued under § 116 {“Unsafe Structures”} of the Baltimore City Building Code.
(2) Exclusions.
“Vacant structure” does not include an accessory structure that is not intended for occupancy, such as a:
(i) garage;
(ii) shed; or
(iii) storage building.
§ 4A-2. Fee Schedule.
After a City agency responds to a substantiated service request at a vacant structure for the 2nd time in a 12-month period, a fee shall be imposed and an invoice shall be sent to the owner of the structure for each service request response, based upon the following fee schedule:
|
Service Request Response |
Fees |
|
1st |
- |
|
2nd |
$100 |
|
3rd |
$200 |
|
4th |
$300 |
|
5th |
$500 |
|
6th |
$750 |
|
7th |
$1,000 |
|
8th |
$1,500 |
|
9th |
$2000 |
|
10th |
$2,500 |
§ 4A-3. Late fee.
The Director may assess a late fee of up to $50 for any unpaid fee charged under this subtitle and send an invoice to the owner of the structure:
(1) 30 days or more after the issuance of the invoice described in § 4A-2 of this subtitle that the fee has been imposed; or
(2) if a timely appeal has been made, 30 days or more after the final decision in that appeal.
§4A-4. Penalty.
If the fee or late fee assessed under this subtitle is not paid within 10 business days of the issuance of the invoice described in § 4A-3 of this subtitle, the Director may revoke the vacant structure’s registration under Subtitle 4 {“Registration of Non-Owner-Occupied Dwellings, Rooming Houses, and Vacant Structures”}.
§ 4A-4. Exemptions.
A vacant structure is exempt from the fees established under this subtitle if the vacant structure is owned by a governmental entity or an instrumentality or unit of a governmental entity.
Section 2. And be it further ordained, That this Ordinance takes effect on the 90th day after the date it is enacted.