The Washington D.C. Council recently passed legislation that will make it more expensive for owners to hold vacant or blighted property.
The Vacant Property Enforcement Act of 2016 reduces the maximum amount of time a vacant property can qualify for an exemption from higher vacancy tax rates. It also closes a loophole that allows continuous renewal of construction permits to qualify for tax exemptions, and require owners of vacant properties to prove they are no longer subject to the higher tax rates.
"The District has a substantial number of vacant properties, many of which are poorly maintained,” the bill report says. "Property owners may keep their properties vacant or fail to maintain them because they expect property values to rise over time. Poorly maintained and vacant properties can damage surrounding communities by being eyesores, by serving a venue for drug use and by providing a home for rodents or other animals. The net effect is to reduce the feeling of a cohesive community and depress surrounding property values."
The legislation reduces the time an owner can claim an exemption from higher taxes because of construction to one year for residential properties and to two years for commercial properties. Fines for failing to comply with city property regulations will rise from $1,000 to $5,000.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Apr 12, 2015
California imposes stringent new water standards
California is the first state to adopt standards that are more efficient than those set by EPA's WaterSense program.
Codes and Standards | Apr 12, 2015
Virginia surpasses Florida for strictest hurricane building codes
Virginia has edged out Florida as the state with the most stringent hurricane building codes, according to the Institute for Business and Home Safety’s “2015 Rating the States” report.
Codes and Standards | Apr 6, 2015
Industry groups petition for change order reform on federal projects
Nine design and construction associations ask for assurance that funds available for additional work.
Codes and Standards | Apr 6, 2015
DOE releases Better Buildings Workforce Guidelines
The guidelines are aimed at strengthening and streamlining commercial building workforce training and certification programs for workers in energy auditing, building commissioning, building operations, and energy management.
Green | Apr 3, 2015
Georgia may ban use of LEED on state buildings
Georgia's state legislature is considering a measure to require all state buildings to only use green building standards that permit the use of Georgia's lumber.
Codes and Standards | Mar 29, 2015
Elevator shafts a major source of heat loss in New York City
A typical New York apartment building loses thousands of dollars worth of energy every year from leaky elevator shafts that vent warm air at the top of the building and draw in cold air at the bottom, according to a new Urban Green Council report.
Green | Mar 22, 2015
6 myths holding back green building
Sustainable design has proven benefits, so why isn’t it more widely adopted?
Multifamily Housing | Mar 16, 2015
New Jersey Supreme Court puts control of affordable housing agency in the courts
The court said the state’s affordable housing agency had failed to do its job, and effectively transferred the agency's regulatory authority to lower courts.
Codes and Standards | Mar 16, 2015
San Jose adopts bird-friendly building standard
The standard includes avoiding large chunks of transparent or reflective glass and adding fritting.
Codes and Standards | Mar 12, 2015
Energy Trust of Oregon offers financial incentives for net-zero buildings
The organization is offering technical assistance along with financial benefits.
