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Residents debate proposed vacancy-registration fee as council shapes draft ordinance
Summary
Council discussed a proposed vacancy-registration ordinance that would require owners of vacant or foreclosed properties to register with a third-party administrator; the draft proposes a $300 registration fee every six months ($600/year) with exemptions for properties actively listed for sale or lease and other narrow exceptions.
Lansdale council members and members of the public debated a draft vacancy-registration ordinance that would require owners of vacant or foreclosed properties to register with a third‑party administrator and pay a registration fee. The proposal, discussed at length during public comment, would charge $300 per registration every six months — described in the meeting as $600 annually for properties that remain vacant and meet the ordinance definition.
Mayor Gary Herbert, several council members and borough staff explained that the program would rely on a third-party administrator, HERA, to manage registrations and notifications for foreclosed and vacant properties. “HERA receives $125 for their administrative services and the borough receives $175 for its services related to the registration,” borough staff said while explaining the proposed split of the registration fee.
The draft ordinance defines “real property” broadly (residential or commercial land, buildings or leasehold improvements within borough limits) and includes specific exemptions. Staff said properties actively listed “for sale or lease,” properties under active rehabilitation with a current building permit, properties damaged by fire and single-family owner-occupied residences temporarily absent from the home would not be treated as vacant for registration purposes.
Several residents and business owners raised concerns about the fee’s impact on small private owners and the ordinance’s scope. One resident said the $600 annual cost would hurt small landlords or owner‑investors renovating properties over multiple years. Council and staff said the proposal was not yet finalized and would return after additional drafting; staff emphasized the draft could be revised and noted the ordinance was not expected to be introduced immediately.
Why it matters: The ordinance aims to create a registration system that tracks vacant properties and channels fees to economic development activities, but council members and residents questioned whether the fee and exemptions were calibrated to avoid unintended burdens on small property owners.
No formal ordinance vote occurred. Staff and council asked for public feedback and planned further drafting before any formal advertisement or vote.
Provenance: The vacancy ordinance was discussed during public comment and staff Q&A; specific fee amounts and exemptions were described by borough staff and addressed in responses from the mayor and council.
