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BNS proposes fee changes and a continuous-vacancy program as demolition and permit work expands
Summary
The Department of Business and Neighborhood Services presented its 2026 budget and a package of fee updates, proposed a continuous-vacancy enforcement program for severely blighted properties, and described an expanded demolition program funded by recent council allocations.
The Department of Business and Neighborhood Services (BNS) presented its 2026 proposed budget and a set of fee-and-penalty updates to the Metropolitan and Economic Development Committee, and announced a new continuous-vacancy enforcement program aimed at long-term, problematic vacant structures.
Director Abby Brands said the department is shrinking vacancies and expanding enforcement work: "We have 210 staff members. Last year when I came before this body, we had 70 vacancies. In January, we had 30. Now we have 18," she told the committee. Brands outlined rising demolition activity after the council provided additional funding and described efforts to modernize permitting, public-facing maps and website content.
Nut graf: BNS proposed targeted fee increases informed by a Baker Tilly cost study, seeks to add reinspection and stop-work penalties, and…
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