Vacant properties bring a lot of concerns for cities. Homes that sit empty for long periods of time can take on an air of neglect, often becoming an eyesore on their block and potentially dragging down property values around them. At their worst, longstanding vacant properties can lead to blight and even attract crime.

For code enforcement officers, managing problems with vacant properties can take up a lot of time, from handling incoming complaints from neighbors to checking on the properties in-person and attempting to resolve the situation. Often one of the biggest time sinks that cities face when dealing with vacant properties is figuring out who the property owner is and holding them accountable for its condition.

Maybe this situation sounds familiar: A vacant property turns abandoned. Problems start to pile up – overgrown weeds in the summer, a broken window in the winter. Neighbors start to call in to the city with complaints, but since an owner proves difficult to track down and communicate with, the city takes on the responsibility of fixing the problem themselves, placing a lien on the property. Often that money is never recouped.

What is a Vacant Property Registration Ordinance (VPRO)?

One way that cities around the country are tackling the issue of vacant properties is with a vacant property registration ordinance (VPRO), which requires the owners of vacant properties to register with the city. This in turn creates a reference tool for the cities to utilize when problems arise at the vacant properties. Rather than spending time trying to track down the owners, cities can go directly to the source – and hold them accountable for the property’s condition.

Most vacant property registries require a fee to register with the city, and also include penalties for not registering to incentivize owners to voluntarily participate.

The Benefits of Vacant Property Registries

Vacant property registries offer many benefits to the cities and their staff that utilize them. If set up correctly, they require no-out-of-pocket expenses, and can even generate a small amount of additional revenue through their fee structure. (Note: Keep in mind that high fees may discourage owners from voluntarily registering and may potentially undermine the value of the ordinance and the registry.)

VPROs can also increase safety for first responders. Having that additional bit of information prior to arriving on the scene better prepares responders such as firefighters, law enforcement and code enforcement officers.

Most importantly, vacant property registries can create efficiencies by streamlining case management. By creating a registry of vacant property owners, staff no longer need to engage in the time-consuming task of trying to track down owners in the event of a problem at a vacant property. This means that VPROs also have the ability to turn what is often a reactive task into a proactive task, helping to prevent problems before they arise.

Not only does this create a positive outcome for cities and code enforcement departments, but trickles down to the community as well. VPROs have shown to mitigate the negative effects of foreclosures. They also help to retain property values in neighborhoods, and ultimately spread a positive message to the community.

Setting Up a VPRO

Vacant property registry ordinances are not a fix-all for issues surrounding abandoned properties, but they are a useful tool. For more on critical components of a strong VPRO, as well as common mistakes that some cities make when setting up a VPRO, check out our webinar “How to Combat Vacant Property Blight with VPROs.”

Real Life Success: Tackling Vacant Properties in Urbana, OH

One city that has utilized a vacant property registration ordinance to great effect is Urbana, OH. By combining a VPRO with Comcate’s Code Enforcement Manager, the city of Urbana was able to more quickly bring problem properties into compliance, more easily spot repeat offenders across multiple properties, and even develop better relationships with property owners and the public. Read Urbana’s story.

Combine VPRO with Modern Technology for a Winning Strategy

Already have a vacant property registry ordinance in your city but need help managing caseloads? Utilizing software designed specifically for code enforcement – such as Comcate’s Code Enforcement Manager – can help streamline operations and double case capacity while boosting voluntary compliance. Interested in learning more? Fill out the form below to schedule a demo today!

Schedule a Meeting with Comcate Today!

Learn how Comcate can help make government delivery simple, and offer a modern digital experience to help you increase transparency, efficiency, and performance across your departments. If you have any questions about implementing our software, please fill out the form below or call us directly at (415) 632-1248.

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