Lincoln, Neb., Mun. Code ch. 21.09 § 21.09.100

a. In addition to reimbursing the City for all registration fees paid by the City, any owner who fails to timely register a neglected building , as required by this chapter, shall be liable for a civil penalty not to exceed $500.00 as determined by the Director .

b. Each civil penalty herein shall automatically renew for an additional 90 days unless the neglected building is removed from the registration list as set forth in this chapter with new fees assessed as set forth in Section 21.09.080 .

c. If a building continues to meet the definition of a neglected building for a period of more than 90 calendar days after notice is given, or has been registered, and the owner fails or refuses to register or re-register the neglected building after the initial registration expires, or if the City has not been reimbursed for any portion of registration fees paid by the City, or an assessed civil penalty is not paid, the Director may continue to assess a penalty not to exceed $500.00 for each 90- calendar-day period, or portion thereof, the neglected building continues to be unregistered or the registration fees or civil penalties are not paid. At no time shall the amount of unreimbursed registration fees, civil penalties, and assessments exceed $4,000.00 per building in a calendar year, but shall be cumulative in following years. The Director may reduce, waive, or stay the imposition of a civil penalty herein for good cause shown by the owner in efforts to comply with this section or an approved plan.

d. All registration fee reimbursements and civil penalties assessed shall be payable directly to the Planning Department.

e. The owner of the property at the time any notice under Section 21.09.070 is issued shall be personally liable for all unreimbursed registration fees and unpaid civil penalties and any unreimbursed fees and penalties shall also be a lien on any real property upon which the neglected building is wholly or partially located, from the date of assessment of fees and civil penalties. Interest as allowed by applicable Nebraska law shall also accrue unless reduced, waived or stayed by the Director.

f. The Director shall develop policies and procedures for the implementation of this penalty.

g. The Director shall keep an itemized account of the expenses incurred by the City pursuant to this section. For assessment of unpaid fees and civil penalties hereunder, the Director shall prepare and file with the City Clerk a report specifying the actions taken, the itemized and total cost of the actions, a description of the real property upon which the building or structure is or was located, and the names and addresses of the owners of the property.

h. Upon receipt of said report, the City Clerk shall present it to the City Council for consideration. The City Council shall fix a time, date, and place for hearing said report and any protests or objections thereto. The City Clerk shall cause notice of said hearing to be posted upon the property involved, published once in a newspaper of general circulation in the City, and served by regular first class U.S. mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the owner of said property as the owner’s name and address appears on the last equalized assessment roll of the county, if such so appears, or as known to the clerk. Deposit of the notice with the United States Postal Service shall be deemed good service. Such notice shall be given at least ten days prior to the date set for the hearing and shall specify the day, hour, and place the Council will hear and pass upon the Director’s report, together with any objection or protests which may be made thereto, and assess such property with such cost. Such assessment shall be a lien upon such property from the date of assessment, shall become delinquent thirty days after the date of assessment, and shall draw interest from said date until paid at the same rate as provided by law for delinquent general real estate taxes. Foreclosure on a lien shall be pursuant to Nebraska law.

( Ord. 21786 §54; September 29, 2025 : Ord. 20058 §10; August 11, 2014).