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Council reviews vacant-property ordinance with seasonal-occupancy and well-maintained exemptions
Summary
Councilors reviewed a revised vacant-property ordinance that adds exemptions for seasonal dwellings, active-duty military, buildings with active permits or marketing, and reduced fees for well-maintained owner-occupied properties; staff said the city attorney’s legal review was positive and fees will fund inspections and first-responder readiness.
Mayor Jeff Hyman introduced a revised draft vacant-property ordinance at the Aug. 4 council workshop and asked city staff to summarize changes that councilors had requested at earlier meetings.
A presenter for the ordinance told the council the draft incorporates previously raised concerns and that legal review found only minor edits were needed. The draft adds exemptions for active-duty armed forces and typical seasonal dwellings and establishes an owner-occupied fee reduction and an exemption for properties with active permits for renovation or demolition.
The presenter said the fee language was clarified so the fees are expressly for inspections, first-responder preparedness and related services rather than a punitive penalty. Councilors discussed a “Snowbird” provision that excludes property owners who are out of the city up to 20 weeks a year from mandatory fees.
Councilors raised enforcement and precedent concerns. One councilor recounted a multi-year foreclosure and vacancy case in another town to illustrate how long a property can remain in limbo under current processes and said a local ordinance would help ensure timely contact information and accountability.
No final vote on the ordinance was taken at the workshop; staff will return with any additional refinements. Council members asked staff to ensure the packet clearly indicates which lines are new versus carried over from prior drafts before a future vote.
