Amend Section 13-75.5 - To define Ownership of Disorderly Houses and provide for security and safety of vacant buildings

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ORDINANCE NO. t 2~ ~ ~'~, AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, AMENDING SECTION 13-75.5 OF THE SOUTH BEND MUNICIPAL CODE TO DEFINE OWNERSHIP OF DISORDERLY HOUSES, TO PROVIDE FOR THE SECURITY AND SAFETY OF VACANT BUILDINGS, AND TO ENHANCE THE CITY'S ABILITY TO ENFORCE PROVISIONS OF THIS ORDINANCE. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND INTENT The purpose of this ordinance is to amend Chapter 13, Article 5, Section 13-75.5 of the South Bend Municipal Code, to define ownership of disorderly houses, to provide for the safety and security of vacant buildings, and to enhance the City's ability to enforce provisions of this Ordinance. The Common Council of the City of South Bend determines that vacant buildings.constitute a public nuisance and have a deleterious effect on their surroundings and on the public health, safety and welfare if they are not adequately secured so as to prevent crime and activity which contributes to urban blight and a decrease in property values. The Common Council of the City of South Bend also recognizes that responsible property ownership increases economic viability and increases pride in the community. To these ends, the Common Council further recognizes that the City's ability to enforce the provisions of this Chapter must be enhanced. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, AS FOLLOWS: SECTION I. Chapter 6, Article 5, Section 13-75.5 of the South Bend Municipal Code shall be, and hereby is, amended to read as follows: Sec. 13-75.5. Disorderly houses; prohibited. (a) Definitions (1) For purposes of this section, disorderly house means a building, dwelling, establishment, premises or place where prohibited conduct occurs and it includes the outside area contiguous to and surrounding the structure such as a yard or lot under the same ownership. If the building, dwelling, establishment, premises or place is a multiple-unit dwelling or residence, hotel or motel, or commercial or office building, this definition applies onlytr~:l~es-tt~e to that dwelling unit, room or suite of rooms in the hotel or motel, office rooms or suite, of store, lot or yard in or on which prohibited conduct occurs. For purposes of this section, owner means: ~ The recorded owner of the property, as determined by the records of the St. Joseph County Assessor's Office;