Signed by Governor Tim Kaine

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that allows localities with real estate tax abatement programs to require the owners of buildings deemed "derelict" to develop plans to demolish or renovate the buildings to address aspects that endanger public health, safety, or welfare and enacts other new requirements related to derelict buildings.

Highlights:

-Defines "derelict building" as a building "that might endanger the public's health, safety, or welfare" and has been vacant, boarded up, and not connected to utilities for a continuous period in excess of six months (Sec. 1). -Authorizes the real estate tax on an amount equal to the costs of demolition or an amount equal to the increase in fair market value of the renovations to be abated for no less than 15 years, and specifies that the abatement is transferable with the property (Sec. 1). -Authorizes building permits to be expedited if the property owner's plan is to demolish a derelict building and allows site plans or subdivision applications and building permits to be expedited if the property owner's plan is to renovate a derelict building (Sec. 1). -Specifies that site plan, subdivision, and permit fees for owners who plan to renovate derelict properties shall not exceed the lesser of 50 percent of the standard fees or $5,000 per property (Sec. 1). -Authorizes buildings that constitute a nuisance, derelict buildings, and blighted properties to be sold to collect late taxes on such property if such taxes are delinquent on December 31 following the first anniversary of the date on which the taxes were due (Sec. 1). -This is a substitute bill sponsored by Del. Rosalyn Dance. -Sen. Mark D. Obenshain is not listed on the roll call because his vote did not accurately reflect his intention; he was recorded as voting "Yea" but intended to vote "Nay."

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that allows localities with real estate tax abatement programs to require the owners of buildings deemed "derelict" to develop plans to demolish or renovate the buildings to address aspects that endanger public health, safety, or welfare and enacts other new requirements related to derelict buildings.

Highlights:

-Defines "derelict building" as a building "that might endanger the public health, safety, or welfare" and has been vacant, boarded up, and not connected to utilities for a continuous period in excess of six months (Sec. 1). -Authorizes the real estate tax on an amount equal to the costs of demolition or an amount equal to the increase in fair market value of the renovations to be abated for no less than 15 years, and specifies that the abatement is transferable with the property (Sec. 1). -Authorizes building permits to be expedited if the property owner's plan is to demolish a derelict building and allows site plans or subdivision applications and building permits to be expedited if the property owner's plan is to renovate a derelict building (Sec. 1). -Specifies that site plan, subdivision, and permit fees for owners who plan to renovate derelict properties shall not exceed the lesser of 50 percent of the standard fees or $5,000 per property (Sec. 1). -Authorizes buildings that constitute a nuisance, derelict buildings, and blighted properties to be sold to collect late taxes on such property if such taxes are delinquent on December 31 following the first anniversary of the date on which the taxes were due (Sec. 1). -This is a substitute bill sponsored by Del. Rosalyn Dance.

Full Bill Text