Owners of vacant commercial buildings in Lorain will pay an increased cost annually to the city along with other new requirements as part as new legislation that City Council recently passed.
An ordinance repealing the original legislation governing vacant property adopted in 2021, was passed on the third reading with no discussion at Council’s regular meeting May 26.
Matt Kusznir, director of the Building, Housing and Planning Department, proposed the legislation earlier this year “to hold vacant property owners accountable and promote the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of Lorain,” according to city documents.
The city is maintaining its registration of vacant commercial buildings, which was created in the original legislation.
The Building, Housing and Planning Department and the Lorain Fire Department have determined that the registration of vacant commercial buildings is best administered under the authority of the chief building official in collaboration with the city’s fire marshal, the ordinance states.
The ordinance will require vacant commercial building owners to add the city of Lorain as additional insurer on their insurance policy.
The annual registration fee will increase from $400 to $1,000.
The annual fee will continue to increase by $500 each year the building remains vacant.
The city also will require the property owners to pay a $10,000 or $15,000 cash or surety bond based on the size of the building to be used by the city of Lorain to secure or maintain the vacant building.
Owners of vacant buildings measuring 10,000 square feet will pay the lesser amount while the owners of buildings more than 10,000 square feet will pay the greater amount, the ordinance states.
The registration fee must be paid in order for the owner of the building to apply for any building permits.
Additional requirements include designating an authorized agent if the owner or person in control of the vacant commercial building doesn’t reside in the city.
Those responsible for the building also must submit a “Vacant Building Plan” which must be approved by the chief building official.
Owners also must maintain a $1 million general liability insurance policy covering the vacant commercial property.
The property owners must list the city of Lorain as “additional insured” on the policy and provide written notice within 30 days of any lapse, cancellation or change in coverage, the documents stated.
