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Auburn adopts vacant-and-abandoned buildings ordinance, adds fees to city schedule
Summary
The Auburn City Council adopted Ordinance 0508182025 to create an article on vacant and abandoned buildings, approved a council amendment to clarify access language in section 12-281, and moved related fees into the master fee schedule (Order 8109022025). The votes were unanimous.
The Auburn City Council on Sept. 2 adopted Ordinance 0508182025, adding Article 5 to Chapter 12 of the city code to address vacant and abandoned buildings and approving a companion change to the master fee schedule.
Councilor Tim Cowan moved a targeted amendment to section 12-281, subsection A, asking the council to "replace the words 'consent to' with 'arrange for' and to strike out the entire third and fourth sentences," citing redundancy and ambiguity in the draft language. Councilor Rick Whiting seconded the amendment; the council approved the amendment by show of hands and then adopted the ordinance as amended by roll call (seven yes, none opposed).
The council also approved Order 8109022025 to add the fees discussed during the ordinance review into Appendix A of the city's master fee schedule. The manager said the fee changes were intended to implement the enforcement and administrative costs associated with the new vacant-and-abandoned building authority.
The ordinance establishes a process for notice and, when necessary, access to properties for inspection and abatement; the council’s amendment clarifies the phrasing in 12-281 so the ordinance retains consent and notice requirements while allowing the city to "arrange for" access when appropriate, and to pursue legal action if consent is not given. No members of the public spoke during the ordinance’s public hearing.
The ordinance and fee-schedule order were adopted unanimously. The council returned to other business following the vote.
