9810-07 Amend Chapter 6 - Add Section 37.1 - Require Registration and Maintenance of Vacant and Abandoned Buildings

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These regulations are based on the City's authority under Indiana Code § 36-8-2- 4 to "... regulate conduct, or use or possession of property, that might endanger the public health, safety or welfare." The regulations are further based on the City's authority to "adopt, codify, and enforce ordinances" authorized by Indiana Code § 36-1- 4-11. Now, therefore, be it ordained by the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana, as follows: SECTION I. Chapter 6, Article 8, of the South Bend Municipal Code shall be, and hereby is, amended to add section 6.37.1, which shall read in its entirety as follows: Sec. 6-37.1. Vacant Building Maintenance and Registration (a) The Common Council makes the following legislative findings: (1) In South Bend, Indiana, a significant number of unoccupied buildings are not maintained and constitute a hazard to public health, safety, and welfare. (2) Vacant buildings often become dilapidated because they are not maintained and repaired by their owners. (3) Vacant buildings attract children, harbor vermin, shelter vagrants and criminals, and are likely to be damaged by vandals or arsonists. (4) Unkempt grounds surrounding vacant and abandoned buildings invite dumping of garbage, trash, and other debris. (5) Many vacant and abandoned buildings are on narrow lots and close to neighboring buildings, increasing the risk of fire and spread of insect and rodent infestation. (6) Vacant and abandoned buildings contribute to blight, cause a decrease in property values, and discourage neighbors from making improvements to buildings. (7) Buildings that remain boarded up for an extended period of time also exert a blighting influence and contribute to the decline of the neighborhood by decreasing property values, discouraging persons from moving into the neighborhood, and encouraging persons to move out of the neighborhood. (8) Vacant and abandoned buildings often continue to deteriorate to the point that demolition of the structure is required, decreasing available housing in the community and contributing to the neighborhood decline.