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Ordinance amending and supplementing the Pittsburgh Code of Ordinances, Title Four, Public Places and Property, Article Seven, City Realty, with a new Chapter, Chapter 457: City of Pittsburgh Side Yard Sale Program.
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The Council of the City of Pittsburgh hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The Pittsburgh Code of Ordinances, Title Four, Public Places and Property, Article Seven, City Realty, is hereby amended and supplemented as follows:
CHAPTER 457: CITY OF PITTSBURGH SIDE YARD SALE PROGRAM
§ 457.01 - Legislative Purpose and Findings
§ 457.02 - Definitions
(a) Second Class City Treasurer's Sale and Collection Act - Unless otherwise stated, all terms in this Ordinance shall have the meanings assigned to them by the Second-Class City Treasurer’s Sale and Collection Act, 53 P.S. § 27101, et. seq.;
(b) Side Yard - A vacant parcel of residential property without a structure which does not exceed five thousand square feet in land area which must be adjacent to the owner-occupied property of a qualified applicant.;
(c) Owner-Occupant - An individual who owns and occupies a property as their principal residence and domicile.
(d) Owner-Occupant Real Property." - A real property that is owned and occupied by an individual as the individual's principal residence and domicile.;
(e) Qualified Applicant(s): An individual who owns and occupies a residential structure on a parcel which is adjacent to a side yard as defined by this Ordinance who meets the requirements to purchase a side yard from the City.;
(f) Qualified Objector(s): An individual who owns and occupies a residential structure on a parcel which is adjacent to a side yard which is in the purchase process upon notice of the application of a different adjacent owner-occupant who objects to the sale, who subsequently submits an application to purchase the same side yard, who also meets the requirements to purchase a side yard from the City.
(g) Treasurer: A fiscal officer of the city who has responsibility for the administration of tax laws and who has the authority to collect taxes, or agents of the treasurer or director of finance.
§ 457.03 - Procedure
(a) The Director of Finance shall create and provide applications for individuals who wish to apply for the City of Pittsburgh Side Yard Sale Program, and promulgate regulations for the same, which shall be filed with the City Clerk.
(b) Upon the filing of an application, the Director of Finance shall ensure that the applicant(s) and any objector(s):
1. Is/are the owner-occupant of the residence whose parcel(s) abut the subject side yard;
2. Is/are current on all taxes or fees owed to the City of Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh Water;
3. Has/have no unresolved municipal code violations;
(c) When the Director of Finance has determined that the applicant is qualified to purchase, they will inform the applicants of the same, and instruct the applicant to procure a title report for the subject side yard.
(d) The cost to purchase a side yard shall be set at an amount not less than one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500), subject to revision by Council at the request of the Director of Finance.
(e) When the Director of Finance is satisfied that all requirements have been met, they shall submit the proposed sale to City Council for its approval.
§ 457.04 - Objections
(a) Upon the determination, by the Director of Finance, that an owner-occupant whose parcel abuts the subject side yard filed an objection and is deemed a qualified buyer, the Director of Finance shall notify all parties and the member(s) of City Council in whose district(s) the subject side yard is located, and proceed pursuant to applicable law.
§ 457.05 - Restrictions
The Director of Finance and Solicitor shall ensure that the deeds for side yard s sold under this program contain the following covenants:
(b) No city, school district or county tax abatements on side yard parcels for fifteen (15) years;
(c) No changes in zoning for two years, with the exception of lot consolidation;
(d) No residential structures can be erected on side yard parcels acquired under this program.
§ 457.06 - Lease-A-Lot Program
(a) The Director of Finance is hereby authorized to establish a temporary entry program to allow qualified purchasers the opportunity to enter into agreements with the City to secure temporary access to City-owned side yards. The Director shall promulgate regulations for this program, to be approved by the Solicitor and filed with the City Clerk thirty (30) days before taking effect.