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REGISTRATION OF CERTAIN VACANT BUILDINGS

Jackson Code of Ordinances ch. 26, art. XIII
in effect

Jackson Code of Ordinances § 26-531 Definitions.

Sec. 26-531. - Definitions. The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning: Owner: For the purpose of this article, the definition of "owner" shall be any person or legal entity which owns an interest in the property in question or any legal entity which serves as a managing agent for the property in question. This definition specifically excludes any person who is an employee of the owner who has a title of "manager" or any employee of a managing agent who has the title of "manager." Vacant: A building is "vacant" when it ceases to be regularly used by the owner or by someone with the permission of the owner and when the owner has no definite and specific intent to resume the property's use in the future. A building is determined to be vacant by considering certain factors on a case by case basis. These factors include but are not limited to: Whether or not the structure has electricity or other utilities available to it; whether or not the structure is furnished; whether or not the owner or someone with the owner's permission uses the facility with regularity; and whether or not the structure has any deficiencies which have remained uncorrected for an unreasonable amount of time. This definition does not include any house maintained in compliance with the all of the city's property codes for seasonal or vacation use. (Ord. No. 2006-37(3), § 1, 7-5-06)

Jackson Code of Ordinances § 26-532 Vacant building-owner required to act—Enforcement.

Sec. 26-532. - Vacant building-owner required to act—Enforcement. (a) The owner of any building that has been vacant shall within 30 days after the building becomes vacant or within 30 days after the effective date of this article, whichever is later, request an inspection of the vacant building from community improvement to verify that it is properly secured and file a registration statement with the City of Jackson, Community Improvement Division, Jackson Police Department, on forms provided by the division for such purposes. The registration statement shall remain valid for one year from the date of issuance. The owner shall be required annually to renew the registration as long as the building remain vacant and shall pay an annual registration fee as follows: Owners of one or two vacant buildings shall pay a fee of $50.00 per year for each building, plus $20.00 for each building for each subsequent year after the initial year of vacancy. Owners of three to five vacant buildings in aggregate during any part of the registration year shall pay a fee of $50.00 per year for each of their buildings, plus $30.00 for each building for each subsequent year after the initial year of vacancy. Owners of five to ten vacant buildings in aggregate during any part of the registration year shall pay a fee of $50.00 per year for each of their buildings, plus $40.00 for each building for each subsequent year after the initial year of vacancy. Owners of ten or more vacant buildings in aggregate during any part of the registration year shall pay a fee of $50.00 per year for each of their buildings, plus $50.00 for each building for each subsequent year after the initial year of vacancy. (b) The number of years of vacancy shall be determined by the total consecutive years after the enactment of this article. The years of vacancy will run with the land and shall not be affected by a sale and/or change of ownership. (Ord. No. 2006-37(3), § 2, 7-5-06)

Jackson Code of Ordinances § 26-533 Registration information.

Sec. 26-533. - Registration information. (a) The owner shall notify the division of community improvement, within 20 days, of any change in the registration information by filing an amended registration statement on a form provided by the division for such purpose. The registration statement shall be deemed prima facie proof of the statements therein contained in any administrative enforcement proceeding or court proceeding instituted by the city against the owner or owners of the building. (b) In addition to other information required by the division, the registration statement shall include the name, address, and telephone number of a natural person 18 years of age or older, designated by the owner or owners as the authorized agent for receiving notices of code violations and for receiving process in any court proceeding or administrative enforcement proceeding on behalf such owner in connection with this article. By designating an authorized agent under the provisions of this subsection the owner is consenting to receive any and all notices of code violations concerning the registered building(s), and all process in any court proceeding or administrative enforcement proceeding brought to enforce code provisions of this article. The continuation of the agents designation for the purposes of this article shall continue until the owner notifies the division of a change of authorized agent or until the owner files a new annual registration statement. (Ord. No. 2006-37(3), § 3, 7-5-06)

Jackson Code of Ordinances § 26-534 Maintaining vacant building(s).

Sec. 26-534. - Maintaining vacant building(s). The owner of any building that has become vacant shall, within 30 days, do the following: (1) Post a sign affixed to the building indicating the name, address and telephone number of the owner and the owners authorized agent for the purpose of service of process. The sign shall be of a size and placed in such a location so as to be legible form the nearest public street or sidewalk, whichever is nearer; and (2) Maintain the building in a secure and closed condition and maintain the sign until the building is again occupied or until repair or completion of the building has been undertaken. (3) The owner of any building that has become vacant shall, within 30 days, acquire or otherwise maintain liability insurance, in an amount of not less than $100,000.00 for buildings designed primarily for use as residential units and not less than $500,000.00 for any other building, including, but not limited to, buildings designed for manufacturing, industrial, storage or commercial use, covering any damage to any person or any property caused by any physical condition of the building. Any insurance policy acquired after the building has become vacant shall provide for written notice to the division within 30 days of any lapse, cancellation or change in coverage. The owner and the owners director of community improvement or his designed code inspector. (4) The division of community improvement shall issue rules and regulations for the administration of this article, including the issuance of uniform signs for the purpose of posting vacant property. These rules may designate board-up materials and methods which are to be used when securing a building so that the boarding is reasonably incapable of being removed by trespassers or others acting without the building owners consent. (Ord. No. 2006-37(3), § 4, 7-5-06)

Jackson Code of Ordinances § 26-535 Penalty.

Sec. 26-535. - Penalty. Any person guilty of violating the terms and provisions of this article shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and punished to the extent allowed by state law. (Ord. No. 2006-37(3), § 5, 7-5-06)
Source: City of Jackson, Mississippi, Code of Ordinances (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/ms/jackson/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH26BUBURE_ARTXIIIRECEVABUFetched: 11/1/2026

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