Council discusses a vacant-building fee modeled on other cities as a tool to return properties to productive use

Council members discussed adopting a vacant-building fee and registration program after staff reviewed how other municipalities have used fees to encourage property rehabilitation.

A councilor said initial online research suggested municipalities cannot impose fees unless they are directly tied to a service, but follow-up research found that some cities have established vacant-building programs that require property registration, a re-occupancy plan and follow-up reporting. The transcript referenced Ogden City’s vacant-building statute as an example: property owners must register a vacant building and submit a plan to re-occupy or otherwise address the property; if they fail to follow the plan they can be assessed fines. A councilor also cited Smyrna, Delaware, where fees are used to fund grants for fire-safety upgrades and building rehabilitation.

Staff said they would provide relevant examples and legal research to help the council consider whether a local program is feasible under state law. The topic was discussed as a potential tool to address long-vacant downtown buildings and other abandoned properties; staff said the city has downtown buildings that have been dormant for many years and that a program might incentivize rehabilitation.

Ending: Staff said they would provide the council with examples and legal analysis to inform whether Price could implement a vacant-building registration and fee program and how any funds might be used for grants or building upgrades.