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Martinez adopts 'Vacant‑to‑Vibrant' registration fee to tackle long‑term vacant storefronts
Summary
After a public hearing, council adopted a Vacant‑to‑Vibrant program requiring registration of commercial buildings vacant for 90+ days and set an annual registration fee of $10.75 per vacant structure (effective July 1), paired with proactive downtown outreach and a process for owners to demonstrate 'ready for occupancy' prior to billing.
City building and code‑enforcement staff presented the Vacant‑to‑Vibrant program, which requires owners of commercial properties vacant more than 90 days to register such structures, allows staff inspections and monitoring, and establishes enforcement for noncompliance.
Staff recommended an annual registration fee of $10.75 per vacant structure based on an estimate of 5.5 staff hours per property (2.5 hours inspections and 3 hours administrative time) multiplied by the adopted code‑enforcement hourly rate in the new fee schedule. The presenter noted most comparable jurisdictions charge substantially more; the city chose the lower end of the range to reflect local staffing and enforcement plans.
Council directed staff to begin proactive outreach and a pilot focused on the downtown specific‑plan area, with letters to owners of properties that appear vacant and hand‑holding to confirm whether properties meet defined 'ready for occupancy' exemptions prior to billing. The council voted unanimously to adopt the fee effective July 1, and staff said they will send materials and an online form ahead of enforcement.
