Pittsburgh City Council members yesterday introduced legislation to force owners of vacant properties to submit plans to demolish, board up, or rehabilitate them -- or face stiff fines.

Vacant buildings have become "a problem we can't get rid of," said Councilman Len Bodack, who with Councilman Dan Deasy, authored the legislation. "Hopefully now this gives us the ability to try to do something."

The legislation would apply to neighborhood commercial buildings and residences like 514 Herschel St. in Elliott. That house has sat empty since its owners abandoned an effort to rehabilitate it a few years ago, according to neighbor Elaine Edder.

"It's a fire hazard and a rodent hazard, in my opinion," said Ms. Edder, who is raising two teenagers next to the empty hulk with a collapsing rear addition.

The city boarded up the property, and condemned it, but has not scheduled it for demolition.

Under the proposed legislation, the owner of a building that became abandoned would be required, within 30 days, to give the city's Bureau of Building Inspection a plan to secure it, demolish it or fix it up. If neighbors or community groups make the bureau aware of a vacant property, it could demand that the owner submit a plan.

Failure to submit a plan would bring a fine of up to $300 a day.

"That could be mighty expensive," said Councilwoman Darlene Harris, a co-sponsor. "Sometimes you have to hit people in the pocket."

The owner would have to carry out the plan in 180 days, or seek an extension, though there is no fine for failing to follow through.

Mr. Bodack said he's been working on the legislation for months, but was spurred by a Jan. 5 fire in Hazelwood that started in a vacant building and devoured 12 houses.

"We need to have this tool out there for the Bureau of Building Inspection," he said.

Creating a registration requirement "gives us a database of how many properties are out there that are vacant," said Mr. Deasy, who said he has involved Mayor Luke Ravenstahl's staff in drafting the legislation.

He said the city then could put vacant properties that are near schools and playgrounds at the top of the list for code enforcement, boarding or demolition.

"At a glimpse, we'd be able to find out for the communities, who is the person who owns this property," said Ms. Harris. "Who is the person that needs to take care of this property?"

Building inspectors also would provide council and the mayor with a list of vacant properties twice a year.

Council will likely delay consideration of the legislation until after it holds a public hearing.