Council introduces vacant and abandoned‑structure ordinance; second reading set for April

The council held a first reading and presentation of Ordinance 2025‑4, a local law to establish a vacant and abandoned‑structure registration and minimum standards for maintenance in Madison. Clerk Treasurer Renierson introduced the ordinance and City code enforcement officer Dewey O’Neil presented the draft to the council.

O’Neil said the ordinance draws on state definitions and sets specific timelines: a building or parcel unused for at least 90 days can be classified as vacant; a commercial or residential property unused for at least six months may be classified as abandoned. The draft requires owners ordered to register to submit paperwork within 14 days; within 30 days owners may challenge an order; and within 60 days properties must meet minimum standards described in the ordinance.

Minimum standards described in the draft include securing structures to prevent unlawful entry, keeping premises free of nuisance conditions, maintaining exterior surfaces (including weatherproofing and eliminating significant holes or rotting materials), and ensuring roofs and drainage do not admit rain. The ordinance specifies that temporary coverings such as tarps or house wrap are not acceptable beyond 30 consecutive days.

O’Neil and Mayor described the enforcement structure: the Office of Planning, Preservation and Design (including the planning director and code enforcement staff) will act as enforcement authority and the Board of Public Works and Safety will serve as the hearing authority. Building inspector Brian Shaw was listed as part of the implementation team.

Council discussion focused on scope and limits. Several council members said they supported the ordinance’s purpose — addressing chronic blight that affects neighborhoods and business districts — but raised concerns about potential government overreach where cosmetic maintenance (for example, peeling paint) could be viewed as a regulatory mandate. Councilmember Patrick asked staff to draft a proposed amendment to add a quarterly report requirement so both the Board of Public Works and Safety and the City Common Council receive updates on registry activity and enforcement outcomes.

Staff highlighted past city efforts: in the last five years city and county programs and partnerships have helped rehabilitate roughly 222 structures with an estimated $17 million invested; O’Neil said the city has managed roughly 1,175 nuisance and vacant‑property matters over recent years and that the ordinance focuses on chronically vacant or abandoned properties that have not been reformed by owners.

Public comment at the meeting was strongly supportive overall. Multiple residents and business owners told council that long‑term vacant buildings depress property values, attract rodents and trespass and create public‑safety concerns. Several speakers described specific problem properties and urged expedited enforcement in difficult probate or absentee‑owner cases; staff acknowledged there are complicated situations (for example, deceased owners and stalled probates) that can delay remedies.

O’Neil said the ordinance is intentionally collaborative and non‑punitive in early steps: no registration fee or penalty is imposed if owners follow the registration and remediation steps in the timelines. The ordinance adopts Indiana Code definitions and penalty limits for vacant and abandoned structures; staff noted penalties can escalate if remediation does not occur and that unpaid remediation costs may be recovered as liens against the property.

The council set the ordinance for a second reading at its next meeting in April and invited further suggested amendments, including the suggested quarterly reporting language for council review.