Maurice Cochet, a supervisor in Code Enforcement, told the forum the City Council adopted an amendment to the city's vacant-property ordinance to require registration and active monitoring of properties that are substantially vacant.

Cochet said the ordinance defines "substantially vacant" as less than 35% occupied or abandoned for more than 90 days unless active permitted construction or a recent inspection is underway. Owners of vacant properties must register by 07/01/2026 or within 30 days of vacancy, submit a vacant-property mitigation plan, and pay quarterly monitoring fees established by city resolution.

The ordinance creates four tiers to prioritize enforcement: Tier 1 (de minimis), Tier 2 (non-de minimis but not endangering health or safety), Tier 3 (unresponsive owner or conditions endangering health/safety), and Tier 4 (conditions that immediately endanger public health and safety). Owners may appeal tier determinations within 15 days. The ordinance becomes effective 30 days after the council adoption (staff reported adoption the night before the forum).

Why it matters: City staff said mandatory registration and tiered monitoring will improve neighborhood safety, reduce blight and better target enforcement resources toward higher-risk properties.

What's next: Code Enforcement will publish registration forms and a fee schedule; owners with out-of-area addresses will be required to provide up-to-date contact information to ensure responsiveness.