Laserfiche WebLink
(9) The blighting influence of vacant and abandoned buildings adversely <br />affects the tax revenues of local government. <br />(10) Vacant and abandoned buildings create a serious and substantial problem <br />and are public nuisances. <br />(11) The City of South Bend spends extraordinary resources and staff time to <br />secure, demolish or otherwise respond to problems associated with vacant and <br />abandoned buildings. <br />(12) Owners of vacant and abandoned buildings should be held accountable <br />for the physical condition of their buildings. At a minimum they should prevent such <br />buildings from exerting a negative influence on the well-being of the neighborhoods <br />where they are located. <br />Accordingly, in addition to the property maintenance requirements set forth in this <br />Code, the Common Council establishes the following standards for maintenance of any <br />real property within the City of South Bend which is vacant and abandoned as defined <br />by this section. <br />(b) This article: <br />(1) Establishes a program for ongoing identification and registration of <br />buildings which have been vacant for a certain length of time. <br />(2) Establishes responsibilities of owners of these vacant buildings; and <br />(3) Provides for administration and enforcement of standards related to <br />vacant buildings. <br />This section should be construed liberally to effect its purposes and intent. <br />(c) Definitions <br />(1) For purposes of this section, vacant building means a structure on a <br />parcel of real property which lacks the habitual presence of human beings who have a <br />legal right to be on the premises, or at which substantially all lawful business operations <br />or residential occupancy has ceased. <br />(2) For purposes of this section, abandoned building means a structure on a <br />parcel of real property which is: vacant for more than ninety (90) days; the subject of an <br />order issued pursuant to the Indiana Unsafe Building Law; and at which the condition <br />which generated the order has existed for at least thirty (30) days and has not been <br />remedied. <br />