The data herein is provided by city of Richmond Property Maintenance Inspectors conducting proactive inspections. When a
building is found to be vacant, it is noted in our tracking system and the property is monitored. If the property is code-compliant, no
action is taken other than monitoring. If it's not code-compliant, a notice of violation may be issued. Once the building is occupied,
it is removed from the Vacant Building List. It is not a violation for a building to be vacant.
Vacant Building Registration Information
A building must be registered with the Commissioner of Buildings when it has been continuously vacant for over 12 months. The
registry fee is $25.00 per year and is required annually.
A vacant building may contain more than one dwelling or unit. For example, if you have a quadplex under one roof and three units are
unoccupied, this is not a vacant building. A building is not deemed vacant until it is completely unoccupied. The same principal
applies to commercial structures.
An owner may challenge the
registry requirement and a site inspection and review of utility information will be conducted to confirm or deny occupancy. Some
buildings used for storage may appear vacant and not have utilities.
Confirmation of proper use (Certificate of Occupancy) and an
interior inspection can resolve questionable issues. The registry fee may be waived under certain conditions such as a pending sale,
lease or under permit and active construction.
If you have questions regarding the Vacant Building List, please contact the Vacant Building
Coordinator at (804)646-6398, vacantbuildings@richmondgov.com or visit Room G-12 in City Hall.
