Relating to recovery of costs for the demolition of abandoned buildings by cities

Under current law, a building is considered abandoned if it is vacant, or is occupied only by trespassers, and is in violation of the housing code or building code of the city or county in which the property is located. Under current law, a city may require the abatement of a nuisance, public or private, in any reasonable manner. If the property owner does not perform an action required by the city within a reasonable time, the city may perform the action and assess the costs against the property for collection in the same manner as a property tax. 1; (3) the property taxes remain unpaid by the owner or lienholder for a minimum of one year from the date the property is considered abandoned; and (4) the property has been cited for causing a nuisance at least six separate times within the preceding six-month period. A city’s plan to demolish a building on abandoned property pursuant to the bill does not preclude a court from granting the city title to the property.