§ 11-225. Registration of abandoned real property.

(a)

Any mortgagee who holds a mortgage on real property located within the county shall perform an inspection of the property that is the security for the mortgage, upon default by the mortgagor, prior to the issuance of a notice of default. If the property is found to be vacant or shows evidence of vacancy, it shall be deemed abandoned and the mortgagee shall, within ten (10) days of the inspection, register the property with the director of growth services, or the director's designee, on forms provided by the county. A separate registration is required for each vacant property.

(b)

If the property is occupied but remains in default, it shall be inspected by the mortgagee or the mortgagee's designee monthly until (1) the mortgagor or other party remedies the default, or (2) it is found to be vacant or shows evidence of vacancy at which time it is deemed abandoned, and the mortgagee shall, within ten (10) days of that inspection, register the property with the director of growth services, or the director's designee, on forms provided by the county.

(c)

Registration pursuant to this section shall contain the name of the mortgagee, the direct mailing address of the mortgagee, a direct contact name and telephone number of mortgagee's contact, a facsimile number and e-mail address and, in the case of a corporation or out-of-area mortgagee, the property management company responsible for the security and maintenance of the property.

(d)

An annual registration fee established by resolution by the board of county commissioners shall accompany the registration form.

(e)

This section shall also apply to properties that have been the subject of a foreclosure sale where the title was transferred to the mortgagee/beneficiary of a mortgage involved in the foreclosure and any properties transferred under a deed in lieu of foreclosure/sale.

(f)

Properties subject to this section shall remain under the registration requirement, security and maintenance standards of this section as long as they remain vacant.

(g)

Any person or corporation that has registered a property under this section must report any change of information contained in the registration within ten (10) days of the change.

(h)

Any mortgagee who holds a mortgage on real property located within the county which is in default and the subject of an outstanding notice of default as of October 1, 2010, shall perform an inspection of the property by December 1, 2010. If the property is found to be vacant or shows evidence of vacancy, it shall be deemed abandoned and the mortgagee shall, within ten (10) days of the inspection, register the property with the director of growth services, or the director's designee, on forms provided by the county. If the property is occupied but remains in default, it shall thereafter be subject to the re-inspection requirements as set forth in paragraph (b) above.

(Ord. No. 14-20, § 5, 8-5-2014)