Yesterday, the Baltimore City Council took a decisive measure in the fight against urban blight by approving a bill that significantly raises taxes on vacant properties. According to theBaltimore Banner, the legislation introduces a tax rate for vacant and abandoned homes three times higher than the typical rate in the first year, escalating to four times the standard in subsequent years. Mayor Brandon Scott is expected to approve the plan, which could come into effect by July 2026. Councilwoman Odette Ramos stated that the main goal of the bill is not revenue but moving properties into the “in rem” foreclosure process.
Under this process, the city could seize control of vacant homes left languishing by their owners, a situation plaguing more than 10,000 properties citywide.According to aCBS News interviewwith Councilwoman Ramos, concerns have been raisedabout possible unintentional consequences, such as developers facing higher taxes due to permitting delays from the Department of Housing and Community Development, not by their own fault. The legislation, set to affect approximately 36,000 vacant properties, represents a concerted effort to transition these buildings into the hands of individuals or entities poised to rehabilitate them.
The unanimous vote by the City Council reflects years of advocacy for such a measure, with attempts to pass enabling legislation repeatedly faltering from 2010 until its success in 2024. City Council President Nick Mosby stated that this puts Baltimore in a different perspective regarding addressing the vacancy issues that have afflicted areas of the city for decades. He emphasized the holistic approach embodied in the legislation.
There remains a significant period before the new tax rates take effect, a window that city officials intend to use to reach out to property owners and ensure they understand the forthcoming changes. Ramos underscored the importance of this process in a statement detailed byCBS News. The councilwoman encouraged those inadvertently affected individuals who might have bought a rehab property still classified as vacant due to a lack of proper permits to come forward so the city can assist in rectifying their situations.
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