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Staff reports low registration, enforcement hurdles in Ferndale’s vacant‑structure ordinance
Summary
City staff told the council that only about six of roughly 60 suspected vacant properties identified since the April ordinance have registered and been inspected; about 60 tickets for violations have been issued.
City staff updated the council on the implementation of Ferndale’s vacant‑property ordinance, saying staff compiled an initial list of about 60 suspected vacant properties (mostly residential) using principal residence exemption and water‑use data but have seen low voluntary compliance.
The presenter said only about six properties have completed registration, payment and inspection to date, while the city has issued approximately 60 tickets for ordinance violations. Staff reported enforcement barriers including owner resistance (some cite cost or stigma), properties stuck in probate, and a definition of vacancy that is vague enough to invite workarounds (for example: commercial owners claiming storage use or owners saying they occupy the house 'half the time').
To improve compliance, staff suggested clarifying the ordinance’s vacancy definition, reconsidering the registration fee so it is a stronger incentive to register, and using a less intrusive renewal inspection schedule (full interior and exterior inspection at initial registration, followed by exterior‑only inspections for renewals). Staff also agreed to provide the ordinance committee with additional materials on court disputes and enforcement dockets if the committee requests them.
Councilmembers asked for a breakdown between residential and commercial properties (staff estimated about a 5:1 ratio, ~50 residential of 60) and whether the list could be refined; staff committed to producing follow‑up materials, including a look at the court docket for outstanding disputes. No ordinance amendments were adopted at this meeting; the item was presented as an informational update and staff indicated the ordinance committee would consider refinements.
