Susana Alcala Wood, City Attorney Jorge Oseguera, City Auditor Mindy Cuppy, City Clerk Howard Chan, City Manager John Colville, City Treasurer Law and Legislation Committee Report
915 I Street, 1st Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
www.cityofsacramento.org
File ID: 2021-01366 January 4, 2022 Discussion Item 04
Title: Ordinance Relating to Vacant Lot Registration
Location: Citywide
Recommendation: 1) Provide direction to staff on recommended amendments to Sacramento City Code 8.136 relating to registration of vacant lots; and 2) direct staff to bring back to the Law and Legislation Committee ordinance amendments for consideration.
Contact: Peter Lemos, Code and Housing Enforcement Chief, (916) 808-8183, [email protected]
, Community Development Department
Presenter: Peter Lemos, Code and Housing Enforcement Chief, (916) 808-8183, [email protected], Community Development Department
Attachments:
1-Description/Analysis
File ID: 2021-01366 Discussion Item 04
January 4, 2022
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City of Sacramento
Description/Analysis
Issue Detail:
Vacant Lot Program
On May 22, 2018, the City Council adopted Chapter 8.136 of the Sacramento City Code relating to registration of vacant lots. The vacant lot program was established to prevent blight and ensure proper maintenance of vacant lots. Key provisions of the program include but are not limited to requiring annual registration of vacant lots; requiring local contact representatives; defining nuisance vacant lots; requiring posted signage for nuisance lots; and establishing vacant lot program and nuisance lot monitoring fees. The city code did not include a specific section for exemptions when it was adopted.
In December 2018, the City Council approved the annual Vacant Lot Program and the Nuisance Vacant Lot fees. These fees offset costs to administer the program and register properties. City council also added 2.0 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) employees to administer the program. No additional code enforcement field staff were added at that time. The intent was to implement the program registration and evaluate the need for enforcement staff.
January through June of 2019, staff worked on the development and implementation of the registration program. This included creating a system to allow property owners to register and pay program fees online. During this time, staff also conducted an extensive outreach program to educate property owners and key stakeholders of the new program and its requirements.
In July of 2019, staff mailed registration notices to over 6,000 property owners. Real estate development and exclusions of lots which did not meet the criteria as defined by the code have reduced the number of properties subject to the ordinance. Approximately 3,600 vacant lots are registered each year.
Recommended Ordinance Amendments
When the ordinance was adopted, it did not define or specify exemptions. This has resulted in problems with designating vacant lots that may be exempt from the code. For example, staff discovered that many property owners own vacant lots that are often an extension of their primary residence. Currently, the ordinance does not allow for an exemption of a vacant lot if a parcel is maintained and adjacent to a primary residence. These vacant properties are often not a problem for the City of Sacramento because they are maintained and fenced. Additionally, the requirements for nuisance lots that have violations were limited. To improve program administration and clarify vacant lots subject to the code, , staff recommends amending the vacant lot ordinance to add a section defining exemptions. Staff also recommends enhancing securement requirements for nuisance vacant lots to strengthen nuisance lot enforcement.
File ID: 2021-01366 Discussion Item 04
January 4, 2022
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City of Sacramento
Policy Considerations: After several years of implementation, staff recommends amending the code to improve the program efficiency and effectiveness. This includes adding a section defining exemptions and establishing stricter requirements for nuisance lots. The proposed changes will clarify vacant lot criteria and improve compliance with the city code.
Economic Impacts: Not applicable.
Environmental Considerations: Vacant lots that are not properly maintained may become fire hazards and illegal dumping of junk and debris create health safety problems.
Sustainability: There are no sustainability considerations applicable to amending Sacramento City Code 8.136 related to registration of vacant lots.
Commission/Committee Action: Not applicable.
Rationale for Recommendation: Upon request of this committee, staff is providing information on a proposed modified ordinance to regulate privately-owned vacant lots.
Financial Considerations: The Vacant Lot Program fees offset costs for administrative positions required to properly register properties.
Local Business Enterprise (LBE): Not applicable.