City solicitor outlines proposed revisions to Bangor's vacant building registration ordinance

City solicitor Dave Stepcak presented proposed revisions to Bangor City's vacant building registration ordinance that would allow limited fee deferrals in some cases, eliminate interim vacant building permits and clarify permit durations and maintenance standards.

The proposal would let property owners defer the registration fee for six months after a fire or other casualty event that renders a home uninhabitable — provided the event was not caused by the owner's criminal act or gross negligence, the owner registers the building as vacant, provides an emergency contact, and remains available to code enforcement. Owners could request one six-month extension if code enforcement determines adequate, good-faith progress is being made; "If the property becomes no longer vacant within that 6 month period, the code enforcement director may waive or reimburse the registration fee to the owner," Stepcak said. For casualty events, that waiver discretion may extend to a…