Virginia Law

A. Any locality may by ordinance require an owner, or his registered agent, of buildings that have been vacant for a continuous period of 12 months or more and (i) that meet the definition of "derelict building" under § 15.2-907.1, (ii) that meet the definition of "criminal blight" under § 15.2-907, or (iii) in which a locality has determined a person is living without the authority of an owner to register such buildings on an annual basis.

B. Any locality may by ordinance require an owner, or his registered agent, of buildings that have been vacant for a continuous period of three years or more to register such buildings on an annual basis.

C. Any locality that adopts a vacant building registration ordinance pursuant to this section may impose an annual registration fee not to exceed $100 to defray the cost of processing such registration.

D. The registration of buildings shall be on forms designated by the locality and filed with the agency designated by the locality. Such forms shall include a requirement to provide the name and contact information, including telephone number, for the owner, or the registered agent of an owner, required to register pursuant to this section. Failure to register shall be a $200 civil penalty; however, failure to register in conservation and rehabilitation districts designated by the governing body, or in other areas designated as blighted pursuant to § 36-49.1:1, shall be punishable by a civil penalty not exceeding $400. Notice shall be mailed to the owner, at the address to which property tax notices are sent, at least 30 days prior to the assessment of the civil penalty.

1993, c. 829, § 15.1-29.24; 1997, c. 587; 1999, c. 250; 2006, c. 299; 2013, cc. 253, 355, 405; 2020, c. 145; 2024, cc. 613, 616; 2026, c. 427.