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Current as of January 01, 2024 | Updated by Findlaw Staff
(a) When making a determination that a building is vacant, the Mayor shall consider the following:
(1) Neighbor complaints;
(2) Advisory Neighborhood Commission certification;
(3) Accumulated mail, fliers, or newspapers;
(4) Past due utility notices, disconnected utilities, or low utility usage inconsistent with regular and habitual occupancy;
(5) Presence of overgrown vegetation, dead or diseased trees, or noxious weeds;
(6) Absence of furnishings or personal items consistent with habitation;
(7) Building is open to casual entry or trespass; and
(8) Any other criteria the Mayor deems relevant.
(b) When making a determination that a vacant building is a blighted vacant building, the Mayor shall consider the following:
(1) Incidence of illegal activity, as documented by police reports;
(2) Whether the vacant building is the subject of a condemnation proceeding before the Board for the Condemnation of Insanitary Buildings;
(3) Referrals to the Department of Buildings from other District agencies;
(4) One or more windows, doors, or other means of entry are missing or boarded up;
(5) Collapsing, missing, or deteriorating walls, roof, stairs, porches, balconies, chimneys, and other building elements;
(6) Siding or exterior walls that are seriously damaged, missing, or deteriorating;
(7) Trash and debris are improperly stored or accumulated on the premises;
(8) Building shows visible signs of vandalism, such as graffiti;
(9) Presence of mold, algae, abandoned or wild animals, or insect or pest infestation; and
(10) Any other criteria the Mayor deems relevant.
Cite this article: FindLaw.com - District of Columbia Code Division VII. Property. § 42-3131. b. Determination of vacancy and blight. - last updated January 01, 2024 | https://codes.findlaw.com/dc/division-vii-property/dc-code-sect-42-3131-05b/
FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature before relying on it for your legal needs.
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