Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Property Maintenance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council adopts tougher vacant‑building rules, raises fees for negligent owners
Summary
After ordinance‑committee review the council adopted an amendment increasing quarterly fees for vacant buildings, adding a tiered fee structure (lower for 1–2 family homes) and a late fee; staff said the changes are intended to cover administrative costs and prompt property owners to address blight.
City Council on April 14 voted to adopt an amendment to Burlington’s vacant‑building ordinance that raises permit fees, creates a two‑tier fee schedule differentiated by building type, and adds a late fee and an administrative fee for dangerous‑building actions.
Director Bill Ward of the Department of Permitting and Inspections summarized the ordinance changes. The previous fee had been $750 per quarter ($3,000 annually) for a vacant building permit. The amended ordinance raises the fee to $1,000 per quarter ($4,000 annually) for most properties, with a lower tier for one‑ and two‑family homes. The ordinance also establishes a temporary higher fee during the first year of implementation and adds a 12% per year late fee for unpaid amounts. Ward said the fee adjustments were vetted to ensure they are tied to staff time and administration so they can be defended if appealed.
Councilors on the ordinance committee and at the meeting emphasized the goal of prompting repair or reuse of vacant assets, protecting neighborhoods from blight, and using fees that relate to staff costs. Councilor McKnight, who moved the amendment, said she preferred even higher fees but accepted the legal and administrative limits staff identified. Councilor Bergman and other members signaled support for strong enforcement and indicated they would revisit fee levels if administrative reviews and enforcement actions show the need for adjustments.
The ordinance establishes a clear appeals path: director decisions may be appealed to the Department of Public Works Commission. The council did not create new demolition authorities but preserved due process and appealed remedies for owners. The amendment was adopted by council vote and will be enforced following publication and the city’s normal ordinance‑processing timeline.
