§ 18-154. Maintenance requirements.

(a)

All owners of properties which are abandoned real property, vacant, or show evidence of vacancy, are responsible for maintaining the properties in accordance with the provisions of this article and all other applicable Pasco County codes and ordinances.

(b)

If the owner of the property is is not a natural person physically residing on the property, the owner shall contract with a local agent to perform monthly inspections on the property and to verify compliance with the requirements of this article and any other applicable laws. The local agent shall be empowered to accept service of warnings, citations, and other legal process for the owner if the owner is not a natural person physically residing on the property.

(c)

Abandoned real property, vacant property, and property showing evidence of vacancy must be maintained by owners to meet the standards in the county's minimum housing codes located in chapter 18 of the Pasco County Code of Ordinances, and to comply with local regulations concerning external and/or visible maintenance. These ordinances include section 42-1 of the Pasco County Code of Ordinances (Overgrown conditions and related public safety violations), section 106-54 of the Pasco County Code of Ordinances (outdoor storage of inoperative, unregistered, abandoned, or wrecked vehicles on any property prohibited), and sections of the Land Development Code pertaining to accumulation of debris; property maintenance; fences and walls. Pools must be maintained in accordance with chapter 18 of the Pasco County Code of Ordinances.

(d)

Compliance with this article does not relieve the owner of any applicable obligations set forth elsewhere in the Pasco County Code of Ordinances, the Pasco County Land Development Code, or within any covenants, conditions and restrictions and/or homeowner's association rules and regulations.

(Ord. No. 10-49, § 4, 12-7-10; Ord. No. 15-14, § 3, 6-22-15)