flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

D.C. Council passes bill to reduce number of blighted properties

Codes and Standards

D.C. Council passes bill to reduce number of blighted properties

The new legislation reduces the amount of time a vacant property can qualify for a lower tax rate.


By Peter Fabris, Contributing Editor | December 2, 2016

Pixabay Public Domain

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 | Oct 19, 2020

NEXT Coalition chooses five pilot projects to fight COVID-19 on jobsites

Mobile platforms, wearable sensors, AI video systems among the trial solutions.

Codes and Standards | Oct 15, 2020

Neighborhoods Now offers cost-effective, DIY designs in response to COVID-19 pandemic

Designs include barriers for outdoor dining, sidewalk retail displays, and modular seating for public spaces.

Codes and Standards | Oct 14, 2020

Standard contract document for prefab and modular building released

ConsensusDocs addresses the most common prefabricated construction use-case scenario.

Codes and Standards | Oct 13, 2020

Austin is first major Texas city to adopt wildfire code

New ordinance based on the International Wildland-Urban Interface Code.

Codes and Standards | Oct 12, 2020

Guidance offered for K-12 schools to support students with asthma

Green purchasing policies for cleaning, filters, furniture and other products encouraged.

Codes and Standards | Oct 7, 2020

More energy efficiency programs are encouraging zero-energy projects

At least 20 programs for new construction, major renovations emerge.

Codes and Standards | Oct 6, 2020

LEED, GBCI rating systems spur resilience-enhancing strategies

Expanded programs, resources address impact of climate change.

Codes and Standards | Oct 6, 2020

International Code Council to hold inaugural online education event

Week-long ICC Learn Live will include panel conversations, keynotes, and breakout sessions around key topics in building safety.

Codes and Standards | Oct 5, 2020

Guides addressing fenestration anchorage updated

First update to decade-old technical documents released.

Codes and Standards | Oct 1, 2020

Deadline extension for LEED 2009 project certifications

Delivery timeline delays due to COVID-19 pandemic prompt action.

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category




halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021