Supplementing Municipal Code Chapter 20 Vacant Structures and Proving for a Penalty

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vacant structures ORDINANCE NO. 5198 -70 AN ORDINANCE SUPPLEMENTING ORDINANCE NO. 4268 -59 (Municipal Code Chapter 20) BY ADDING A NEW ARTICLE DEALING WITH VACANT STRUCTURES AND PROVIDING FOR A PENALTY. AS AMENDED BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA: SECTION I. That Ordinance No. 4268 -59, adopted July 13, 1959, (being Chapter 20 of the Municipal Code adopted October 14, 1963) be supplemented by adding at the end thereof a new Article III, reading as follows: ARTICLE III "Sec. 20 -31 LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS OF THE COUNCIL The Council of the City does hereby find, deter- mine and declare that there are and have been within the City, vacant structures which have re- mained completely or partially open to the public by reason of the owner's failure to adequately secure the same, that the vacant interiors of such structures are used by trespassers as places of habitation and are frequently damaged or de- stroyed by fire, that the entryways to such structures are used for the deposit of and become foul with human waste, garbage, and debris; that signs and marquees located on or above the public right -of -way become unkempt and unsound; that any and all of such conditions constitute public nuisances which adversely affect the public health, safety and general welfare, contribute to the decay of commercial and residential areas, dis- courage the most appropriate use and development of land, and hinder civic improvement. Sec. 20 -32 APPLICATION OF THIS ARTICLE This article shall apply to any structure or any portion of a structure which remains vacant and unoccupied for a period in excess of 30 days. The incidental use of any vacant structures for storage purposes shall not be deemed to exempt it from the provisions of this article. Sec. 20 -33 DEFINITIONS Whenever used in this article the following words shall mean: