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Council advances ordinance to monitor vacant commercial buildings
Summary
Council gave first reading to an ordinance that would register and allow monitoring of commercial buildings vacant more than six months with housing-code violations; the measure targets commercial properties and excludes residential structures.
City staff presented a proposed amendment to chapter 7 of the city code to establish registration and monitoring of derelict commercial vacant buildings that have been empty for more than six months and have existing housing-code violations. "This ordinance and the purpose of the ordinance provide an effective monitoring and routine inspection of derelict commercial vacant buildings and structures that due to housing code violations may endanger the life, limb, health, property, safety, or well-being of the general public," said the presenting staff member (Pulley).
Under the draft, commercial properties would be eligible for registration if they meet three criteria: commercial use, vacancy longer than six months, and one or more housing-code violations (property maintenance, building, fire, health, nuisance). Residential structures would be excluded. Council members praised staff coordination and cross‑departmental work during the study sessions leading up to the ordinance and approved the first reading by voice vote.
