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City staff present draft ordinance to register derelict commercial buildings, align with state law
Summary
City staff presented a draft vacant commercial building registration ordinance that would require registration of commercial buildings vacant more than six months with code violations, impose a $200 biannual fee and a $50/month late fee, create a municipal-court appeal process and allow collection remedies up to foreclosure; staff said the program is intended to align with newly signed House Bill 3231 and will require inspection resources to implement.
Trevor Pulley, speaking for city staff, briefed the council on a proposed ordinance to register derelict commercial buildings during the July 20 study session. The draft targets commercial properties that have been vacant for more than six months and that have one or more code violations (building, fire, health, property-maintenance, nuisance or other applicable city codes). Residential structures would be excluded.
Pulley outlined the proposed registration and enforcement process: city building officials or permitting staff would investigate properties, owners would receive written notices identifying violations and a registration requirement, and owners would have 30 days to correct violations or request a reinspection/reconsideration. The draft sets a registration fee of $200 every six months and a late fee of $50 per month; staff said fees could be waived if violations are corrected during the reconsideration period. Enforcement tools would include collection through municipal court, liens, denial of city permits and business licenses, and—after a year of delinquency—foreclosure, with release of liens if a property is sold to an unrelated buyer.
Pulley said the ordinance is intended to coordinate with recently signed House Bill 3231 (state-level redevelopment and downtown incentive provisions) and that the state Department of Economic Development will issue frameworks staff will use when finalizing the local program. Pulley estimated the program would take roughly six months to a year to implement because inspectors and permitting staff must create a database and perform field inspections.
Council members generally praised the proposal’s intent to spur reinvestment and improve commercial corridors. One council member described the ordinance as giving staff "teeth" to address long-vacant properties; another recommended moving the proposal forward to public hearing and vote so the city can begin inspections and registration.
The council directed staff to proceed toward a public hearing and subsequent vote in future meetings; staff said they would coordinate with state guidance from DED as it becomes available.
