Council hears proposal to tweak vacant-building registry statute

Ed Reed presented a proposed amendment to the vacant-building registry statute aimed at removing a single word in the code to allow localities more flexibility in registering vacant properties. He told council the measure had been sponsored in 2021, had momentum, but saw limited success in 2022; Virginia 1st Cities and nearby Norfolk have added the proposal to their packages for the coming session.

"We're looking to simply amend, the code section to remove 1 word, really, here to allow, some flexibility for localities," Reed said, describing the intent as narrowly focused on local flexibility rather than broad new mandates. Council did not vote on the item in the work session; staff and the lobbyist will bring any recommended language to the November adoption for final council approval.

Council members did not raise substantive objections to the registry concept during the session, but asked staff to include the item in the draft package and to track related bills in neighboring localities.