City of Detroit VPR Ordinance Summary
August 26th, 2010
As stated in their VPR Ordinance, the City of Detroit is amending several sections of their City Code concerning buildings and building regulations. The amendments are summarized below:
Who registers: "Owners" as defined below
What is registered: Vacant buildings and structures located within the City of Detroit
Timeframe to Register: Within 30 days after the building or structure becomes vacant. Property must remain registered until it is re-inhabited or demolished.
Proximity Requirements: Located with the City of Detroit
Responsibility for Maintenance:
- The owner of the building must maintain it and any open space on the premises in compliance with the City of Detroit Property Maintenance Code.
- It is unlawful for any person to occupy, or to permit another person to occupy a building or premise that is not properly maintained in habitable, sanitary and safe condition in accordance with the City of Detroit Property Maintenance Code.
- Each owner, or the owner;s agent is responsible for maintenance of any structure on the property, for violations, penalties and any failure to comply
- All owners are jointly and severally required to comply with the its exterior All vacant buildings must be maintained in accordance with the Detroit Property Maintenance Code and to cure any blight violations issued under it.
Definitions:
"Owner" means any person, agent, operator, firm or corporation that:
- has a legal or equitable interest in the building, premises or structure,
- is the title holder asrecorded in the official records of Wayne County, Michigan or the City of Detroit,
- otherwise has the legal responsibility for the control and maintenance,
- including the conservator or guardian of the estate of any such person, the executor or administrator if ordered to take possessiilon of the building, premises or structure by a court,
- is the taxpayer of record
"Vacant" means a building or structure:
- that is unoccupied for more than (30) days, lacking the regular presence of people who have a legal right to be on the premises;
where substantially all lawful business, construction operations or residential occupancy has ceased, is open to trespass by any means, or is secured by abnormal means;
- if a multi-family residential property with (10) or more dwelling, it is considered vacant when 90% or more of its units are unoccupied; and
- is unoccupied for more than (30) days, is unsecured, secured by abnormal means, is illegally occupied, or poses an imminent danger to the health and safety of surrounding residents and properties or to the general public by being unsafe as determined by an authorized local official, including but not limited to existence of a fire hazard, collapsed or dilapidated portion, loss of a utility or an unsanitary condition.
To view the VPR ordinance, please click here
About Safeguard
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