House Bill 315

This act authorizes Class 1 municipalities to adopt a vacant property registration ordinance that: (1) requires private owners of vacant residential and commercial property to register the property with the program adminstrator using a specific form within a certain time; (2) requires an initial registration fee of $250, subject to annual increases not to exceed $1,000, that may be refunded on a yearly basis upon the property no longer being vacant; (3) requires owners to submit a plan for restoration and occupancy; (4) provides exemptions for certain persons and properties from registration in general and time limit and fee requirements; (5) authorizes the program administrator to inspect the inside and outside of a registered property, subject to prior notice; (6) authorizes fines not exceeding $1,000 for ordinance violations which become liens on the property upon nonpayment; and (7) may require owners to enclose and secure vacant properties.