§ 110-2. Demolition and rebuilding in residential districts.

(a)

Purpose. The purpose of this section is to protect the character of residential neighborhoods within the city and to deter the unnecessary demolition of standard residential structures that are suitable for further occupancy and use as residences.

(b)

Definitions. The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this section, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this subsection, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Building means a structure that is constructed, erected, or located on the ground, which requires permanent location, and consists of walls and a roof.

Demolition means the razing, leveling, disassembly, or destruction of a building by humans and/or machinery, but not including arson or acts of God.

Main building means the building (as herein defined) designed and used for the principal permitted use of the lot.

(c)

Removal of debris; restoration of site and landscaping. If a main building in any residential district of the city is demolished and construction of a new main building on the same property is not commenced within 30 days from the date of issuance of a demolition permit, the property owner must restore the site by removal of all debris, return the site elevations to the original contour levels, seed and/or sod bare dirt, install stormwater and siltation control, plant trees and other landscape materials. The building commissioner may grant an extension of this time, or time for commencement of landscaping, as required, based on inclement weather or some other hardship on the property owner, provided such hardship is not self-imposed. In the event that said site restoration and landscaping work described above is not completed within the 30-day period described above and any extensions granted by the building commissioner, the property is subject to a fine of $25.00 per day for each day that the property remains in the unauthorized condition until such time as the city determines the property to be properly restored. When any application for demolition is submitted and the property to be demolished lies within a subdivision, the trustees of that subdivision must be notified of the project, and proof of said notification presented to the building commissioner at the time of application for a demolition permit.

(Code 1969, § 31-2; Ord. No. 1683, §§ 1—5, 4-20-1998; Ord. No. 1686, §§ 1—4, 5-18-1998; Ord. No. 1710, §§ 2—4, 3-15-1999; Ord. No. 1713, § 1, 5-17-1999; Ord. No. 1859, §§ 1, 2, 8-16-2004)