Albany, NY, amends vacant property registration ordinance to include initial inspection, utilities off, winterization
Albany, NY: The vacant property registration ordinance has been amended to now require an initial interior inspection by City of Albany Buildings Department.
The inspection requirement began July 2019, and with the new requirement comes the following two additional requirements: as a condition of registration, all vacant buildings must be winterized and have all utilities turned off.
Registration includes current contact information for all owners and those responsible for the building, individual’s driver’s license information and/or company articles of incorporation, if there is a mortgage or tax foreclosure action, proof of insurance, and plans for either rehabilitation, continued vacancy (and securing/maintenance plan), or disposal of the property.
Registration is due immediately upon vacancy, to be renewed annually for duration of vacancy, and any change to registration information or transfer of title is due within 30 days.
Fee schedule:
- For residential buildings of one to three units: 1st year $250; 2nd year $500; 3rd year $750; each subsequent year $1,000.
- For residential buildings of four to six units, and mixed commercial and residential buildings of two to three residential units: 1st year $500; 2nd year $1,000; 3rd year $1,500; each
subsequent year $2,000.
- For residential buildings of seven or greater units, and mixed commercial and residential buildings of four or greater units: 1st year $1,000; 2nd year $2,000; 3rd year $3,000; each
subsequent year $4,000.
- For non-residential buildings, the greater of: 1st year $1,000 or $.05 per square foot; 2nd year $2,000 or $.10 per square foot; 3rd year $3,000 or $.15 per square foot; each subsequent year
$4,000 or $.20 per square foot.
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