DC DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER & REGUALTORY AFFAIRS Vacant Property Program DC CODE SECTION Registration of Vacant Buildings October 4, 2010

2 MISSION To improve the social and economic health of the District of Columbia by returning vacant properties to productive use and ensuring that owners maintain such properties as clean, safe and secure.

3 Summary of Services The Vacant Property Unit (VPU) is responsible for investigating, surveying and classifying vacant properties through proactive inspections, complaints from residents and referrals from other agencies and organizations.

4 City Wide Survey Beginning around October 2007 DCRA conducted a survey of the entire city to identify vacant properties Approximately 3,300 properties were identified as vacant.

5 What is a Vacant Property? DC Code Section defines a vacant property as: “… a building, or part of a building, which contains a dwelling or commercial unit … which … has not been occupied continuously.

6 Vacant Property Classification Process The VPU conducts an initial four point survey/inspection to determine whether or not the property has; (1) trash and debris (2) excessive grass and vegetation (3) graffiti and (4) is open and accessible.

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8 Process Other indicia of vacancy Complaints/information from neighbors “For Sale” signs & property has no furnishings within plain view Accumulated mail Non-functioning utility meters Lack of maintenance; gutters, peeling paint, broken windows and doors.

9 Examples of Properties

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16 Neighborhood Walkthroughs

17 Process If the survey/inspection provides convincing evidence that the property is vacant a registration packet is sent the owner of record.

18 Process Owner must return registration application within 30 days (annually) Five days added for mailing to property owner; five days added for owner returning application Property must be re-inspected Minimum of 45 days for process to be completed. VPU conducts re-inspection Property determined to be (a) Vacant or (b) Vacant & Blighted

19 Registration Application For Vacant Properties (Not blighted)

20 Process Owners of vacant properties must maintain and register properties within 30 days after it becomes vacant. Owner shall arrange for the inspection of the building (13 point) Registration lasts for one year … If the owner … fails to comply … the Mayor may deny or revoke the registration and subject the owner to penalties …

Registration Application For Vacant Properties Deemed Blighted

22 Notice of Determination

23 BCIB Determination

24 13 Point Inspection

25 Vacant Building Maintenance Standards DC Code Section contains thirteen maintenance standards that must be met: (1) Doors, windows, areaways, and other openings are weather-tight and secured against entry by birds, vermin, and trespassers, and missing or broken doors, windows, and other openings are secure; (2) The roof and flashing are sound and tight, will not admit moisture…; (3) The building storm drainage system is adequately sized and installed; (4) The interior and exterior is maintained in good repair, structurally sound, free from debris, rubbish, and garbage, and sanitary; (5) The structural members are free of deterioration and capable of safely bearing imposed dead and live loads;

26 Maintenance Standards (6) The foundation walls are plumb, free from open cracks and breaks, and vermin-proof; (7) The exterior walls are free of holes, breaks, and loose or rotting materials, and exposed metal and wood surfaces are protected; (8) The cornices, belt courses, corbels, terra cotta trim, wall facings, and similar decorative features are safe, anchored, and in good repair; (9) All balconies, canopies, marquees, signs, metal awnings, stairways, fire escapes, standpipes, exhaust ducts, and similar features are in good repair; (10) Chimneys, cooling towers, smokestacks, and similar appurtenances are structurally safe, sound, and in good repair;

27 Maintenance Standards (11) Openings in sidewalks are safe for pedestrian travel; (12) Accessory and appurtenant structures such as garages, sheds, and fences are free from safety, health, and fire hazards; and (13) The property on which a structure is located is clean, safe, and sanitary and does not threaten the public health or safety.

28 Abatement and Condmenation of Nuisance Properties Omnibus Act of 2000 (Effective April 2001) DCRA designated vacant properties; sent list to Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR) Owner could appeal DCRA’s classification to the Office of Administrative Hearings OTR mailed owner proposed vacant property classification notification affording owner one of 15 exemptions OTR had final classification authority Property owner could appeal to BRPPA & then to Superior Court.

29 Nuisance Properties Abatement Reform and Real Property Classification Temporary Amendment Act of consolidated exemptions under DCRA 2 - vests fully DCRA with authority to classify 3 - reduced number of exemptions 4 - provides for internal agency appeal procedure 5 - authorizes BRPAA to hear vacant property appeals

30 Vacant Property Disincentivization Amendment Act 2010 Effective for tax Year 2010 Created Blighted Class- “ A blighted vacant building means a vacant building that is determined by the Mayor to be unsafe, insanitary, or which is otherwise determined to threaten the health, safety, or general welfare of the community” Factors to be considered: Subject to condemnation proceeding Boarded up; Failure to comply with maintenance standards

31 Appeal Process DC Code § (2008 Amendment) 1. VPU designates property as vacant Owner submits vacant property application and requests one of the exemptions. 2. Exemption denied and Denial of Registration Exemption is issued. 3. Owner may petition agency for reconsideration within 15 days. Agency has 30 days to issue final Notice of Final Determination (NFD) 4. Within 45 days of NFD owner may file appeal with BRPPA (only if a NFD was issued).

32 Registration Exemption Denial

33 Notice of Final Determination

34 Notice of Untimely Appeal

35 Issues Property owners are appealing years prior to 2009 Untimely Lack of jurisdiction Property owners are mischaracterizing what they are appealing; assessment vs. classification. Superior Court addresses appeals at the tax sale level

36 Appeal Process

37 Questions & Answers