§ 8-74. Vacant building plan and inspections by the owner.

(a)

Vacant building plan required. At the time that the owner applies for a certificate of registration or renewal of the certificate of registration, the owner shall submit to the building official a vacant building plan containing the following information:

(1)

The amount of time that the building is expected to remain vacant;

(2)

A plan and time table for correcting all current violations of city ordinances and state and federal law at the building or its premises;

(3)

A plan for regular maintenance of the building during vacancy in compliance with city ordinances and state and federal law;

(4)

The measures that the owner will take to ensure that the vacant building is secured according to subsection 8-26(j) of The Code of Civil and Criminal Ordinances of the City of Irving;

(5)

The measures that will be taken to reduce the adverse impact on the properties surrounding the vacant building during the building's vacancy, including provisions for lighting, security patrols, alarm systems, and fire suppression systems or execution of a trespass affidavit, allowing peace officers to enforce criminal trespass laws at the property; and

(6)

The measures that the owner will take to monitor and inspect the vacant building and its premises on at least a weekly basis; such inspections must be performed by a person who is at least twenty-one (21) years of age and authorized by the owner to make decisions regarding the day-to-day supervision, management, and maintenance of the vacant building.

(b)

Approval of plan by building official. The vacant building plan submitted by the applicant must be approved by the building official, which approval may not be unreasonably withheld. The building official must approve or disapprove the vacant building plan within ten (10) working days of receipt.

(c)

Notification of change. A registrant shall notify the building official in writing of any material change in the information contained in the vacant building plan within seven (7) days of the change. Such change must be approved by the building official and may form the basis of a revocation of the certificate of registration.

(d)

Inspection by the owner. The owner of a vacant building shall monitor and inspect the vacant building and its premises on at least a weekly basis; such inspections must be performed by a person who is at least twenty-one (21) years of age and authorized by the owner to make decisions regarding the day-to-day supervision, management, and maintenance of the vacant building. If within fourteen (14) days of the city observing that a vacant building, for which a vacant building plan has been filed, is unsecured or that weeds remain uncut or litter remains on the property in violation of city ordinances, there is a presumption that the owner has failed to inspect the vacant building and its premises on a weekly basis.

(Ord. No. 2009-9081, § 2, 6-11-09)