Baltimore City Council Urges State Lawmakers to Enact Vacant Homes Tax Legislation

Baltimore City Council is advocating for legislation that would enable city leaders to implement a special tax rate on vacant and abandoned properties, aiming to address blight and improve community safety.

The Baltimore City Council unanimously passed a resolution requesting the Maryland General Assembly to authorize a special tax rate for vacant and abandoned properties to address the widespread problem. (Photo: WYPR)

Maryland General Assembly Encouraged to Empower City Leaders in Addressing Vacant Properties

The Baltimore City Council unanimously passed a resolution requesting the Maryland General Assembly to authorize a special tax rate for vacant and abandoned properties to address the widespread problem. If authorized, the city council and mayor could establish a tax rate on these properties to discourage speculative purchases. Councilwoman Odette Ramos introduced the motion at a council meeting, calling for state action on this long-standing issue.

The legislation aims to expedite the eligibility of properties for ‘in rem’, a process that allows the city to take possession of vacant and abandoned properties through a new foreclosure process.

Additionally, the council sees this initiative as crucial to addressing Baltimore’s substantial number of approximately 14,000 vacant and abandoned properties and 20,000 vacant lots. These properties have been identified as contributors to blight and crime in the city, further underscoring the urgency to take action.

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The proposed special tax rate is also endorsed by residents who have experienced the negative impact of developers acquiring vacant homes without making substantial contributions to the community. Jon Marchione, a resident, expressed support for the vacancy tax, citing instances where developers have held onto these properties without undertaking meaningful development efforts, leading to blight in various areas of Baltimore.

With the support of Delegate Regina Boyce and Senator Antonio Hayes, the bill faces state lawmakers for potential approval, with a projected effective date in June. If enacted, this legislation could signal a significant step towards mitigating the blight caused by vacant and abandoned properties in Baltimore.

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