§ 44-5.1-2. Definitions.
The following words, terms, and phrases, when used in this chapter, have the meanings
ascribed to them in this section, except in those instances where the context clearly
indicates a different meaning:
(1) "Abutter� means a neighbor whose property touches the property in question.
(2) "Actively marketed� means good faith efforts by the owner of the property to obtain
one or more occupants of the property. These good faith efforts may include, without
limitation, one or more of the following:(i) making substantial financial expenditures
in comparison with the value of the property; or (ii) listing the property for sale
or lease, or both, with one or more real estate brokers, for a price and on terms,
or for a rental that is realistic considering the fair market or fair market rental
value of the property; or (iii) advertising, using one or more signs on the property
and at least one other medium, the availability of the property for sale or rental
for a price and on terms, or at a rental that is realistic considering the fair market
value or fair rental value of the property. Sporadic attempts to sell or lease the
property during the privilege year may be viewed as not constituting a good faith
marketing effort.
(3) "Continuously unoccupied� means any property, which is listed during the entire privilege
year as vacant in the records of a city or town's department of minimum housing.
(4) "Development plan� means a plan to rehabilitate a vacant and abandoned property within
a set time frame for a use in conformance with the city or town's comprehensive plan.
(5) "Nonprofit housing organization� means any organization exempt from taxation pursuant
to §â€‚501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, 26 U.S.C. §â€‚501(c)(3), whose exempt purposes include the provision of affordable housing to low and moderate
income households.
(6) "Privilege year� means the twelve (12) month period corresponding to the calendar
year.
(7) "Reviewing entity� means the municipal entity designated by the city or town pursuant
to §â€‚44-5.1-3.
(8) "Vacant and abandoned property� means any property, which is:
(i) A building that has remained continuously unoccupied during the privilege year or
a lot, with no existing structure that is littered with trash and obviously abandoned;
(ii)(A) In the case of property containing one or more buildings used in whole or in part
for one or more dwelling units immediately prior to the time the property became vacant,
been under continuous designation as vacant by a city's or town's department of minimum
housing during the privilege year; or
(B) In the case of property containing one or more buildings none of which were used in
whole or in part for one or more dwelling units immediately prior to the time the
property became vacant, been under continuous citation by an agency of a city or town
for violation of minimum housing code provisions relating to the health or safety
of citizens during the privilege year.