Florence council takes steps on vacant/abandoned registry and unfit‑dwelling ordinance

The Florence City Council on Jan. 13 took two related steps aimed at addressing blighted and hazardous properties: it moved discussion of a proposed vacant-and-abandoned building registration ordinance into executive session for legal advice, and it approved first reading of an ordinance to declare dwellings unfit for human habitation.

City staff described the registry as a new code requirement that would require owners of vacant and abandoned residential, commercial and industrial buildings to register with the city and provide contact information. The ordinance would create three vacancy categories tied to the degree of degradation, require a no‑trespass placard on properties, authorize inspections to determine category and impose escalating fees including inspection and delinquency penalties. Staff said exemptions would include buildings actively marketed for sale or lease, government‑owned buildings and sites actively slated for demolition.

The council voted to discuss the registry ordinance in executive session for legal advice rather than take final action at this meeting.

Council approved first reading of an “unfit dwelling” ordinance that defines conditions under which the building official may find a dwelling uninhabitable. The measure lists factors such as safe ingress and egress, functioning plumbing and sanitation, electricity and heat during cold months, secure exterior doors and violations listed in the International Property Maintenance Code. The ordinance creates an administrative sequence of remedies and an appeals path that includes staff review, the Construction Maintenance Board of Adjustment and Appeals and, if necessary, circuit court.

City Manager Scotty said enforcement and demolition work will have budgetary implications and noted that council previously set aside funds for voluntary demolitions; the new measures are intended to allow the city to address the most hazardous structures even when owners do not cooperate. Scotty described the properties targeted as "the worst of the worst," including houses where a tree was growing through the structure, and said staff will use available demolition funds and place forgivable liens on properties where the city performs demolition work.

Council recessed into executive session for legal discussion on the vacant/abandoned registry; the unfit dwelling ordinance passed first reading by voice vote.