* Warning: This is an unofficial, introductory copy of the bill.
The official copy considered by the City Council is the first reader copy.
Introductory*
City of Baltimore
Council Bill R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: Councilmember Ramos
A Resolution Entitled
A Council Resolution concerning
title
Request for State Action - Passage of HB002/SB138 - Baltimore City Property Taxes - Authority to Set a Special Rate for Vacant and Abandoned Property
For the purpose of calling on the General Assembly to pass and Governor Wes Moore to sign HB002/SB138 - Baltimore City Property Taxes - Authority to Set a Special Rate for Vacant and Abandoned Property.
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Recitals
Just under 14,000 vacant and abandoned properties are designated as vacant and abandoned in Baltimore City. In addition, there are several thousand vacant lots. These properties are mostly privately owned. The City only owns fewer than 1,000 vacant properties and roughly one-half of the vacant lots in the City.
Setting a special tax rate on the vacant and abandoned properties and lots will do two things. First, it will reduce speculators investing in vacant properties and holding them without renovating. They would be disincentivized from neglect if developing the property would reduce their tax burden.
Second, it is likely the increased liens from the vacancy tax will never be paid, thereby stacking the liens to make more properties eligible for in rem foreclosure. While this City Council has worked to increase fines and fees for leaving properties and lots vacant and uninhabitable, the City’s capacity to continue to cite a vacant property is inconsistent for lack...
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