Title
Ordinance supplementing the Pittsburgh Code, Title Six, Conduct, Article VII, Disruptive Properties, by adding Chapter 671, entitled “Nuisance/Vacant Properties.”
Body
Whereas, vacant properties create costly problems for the city and are often a drain on our budget; and
Whereas, vacant properties are often signals of a neighborhood in distress or that the community is not a fit place to live, which in turn contributes to a “domino effect” in the loss of a city's quality of life; and
Whereas, such signals often discourage private investment, stunting community growth, detracting from economic opportunities of those living around them and are an impediment to individual neighborhood redevelopment and ultimately, to achievement of city-wide economic development goals; and
Whereas, minimizing the harm done by vacant property and restoring properties to productive use are amongst the top priorities of the City.
Be it resolved by the Council of the City of Pittsburgh as follows:
Section 1. The Pittsburgh Code, Title Six, Conduct, Article VII, Disruptive Properties, is hereby supplemented by the addition of Chapter 671 entitled “Nuisance/Vacant Properties, as follows:
Chapter 671 NUISANCE/VACANT PROPERTIES
Section 671.01 Legislative Findings and Purpose.
It is the finding of the Council of the City of Pittsburgh that buildings which remain vacant, with access points boarded over, are unsightly, unsafe and have a negative effect on their surroundings. This is particularly troublesome in residential and neighborhood commercial districts. Unfortunately, many buildings, once boarded, remain that way for many years. The purpose of this ordinance is to establish a program for identifying and registering vacant buildings; to determine the responsibilities of owners of vacant buildings and structures; and to speed the rehabilitation of the vacant properties.
§671.02 Definitions.
Unless otherwise expressly stated, the following t...
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