Council introduces ordinance to regulate vacant commercial structures and holds public hearing

Taylor City Council held a public hearing on Nov. 8, 2025, and council members were presented with Ordinance 2025-35, which would establish a registration, inspection and maintenance framework for vacant commercial structures within a defined downtown boundary.

Chief Building Official Chris Baum (presentation delivered by staff) said vacant commercial buildings can become safety hazards, attract criminal activity, and deter reinvestment. The ordinance as drafted would apply to commercial buildings that appear to be inactive for 150 days or more (or multi-unit buildings where 75% of units are unused for that period). Owners would be required to register, designate a local agent, submit a vacant-building plan and pay an annual fee (staff proposed waiving the fee for the first year). Baum said the city estimates 30 to 40 properties could be affected in the initial downtown area.

The hearing drew comments from residents concerned about properties outside the downtown boundary; one speaker asked the council to include lots farther south on MLK and other West side parcels. Staff said they would review addresses provided by speakers as part of the inventory. The ordinance would require annual inspections by the building official and could require structural evaluations and remediation plans; enforcement tools could include penalties and existing remedies for substandard buildings, up to remedial action with liens in worst cases.

City attorney introduced Ordinance 2025-35 (title read on the record). Council did not adopt the ordinance at the hearing; next steps described by staff included statutory notice, inspections and further review. Council took no final action to adopt the ordinance tonight; staff said the proposal could be piloted in the defined downtown historic district and potentially expanded later.