Vacant Property Registration.
The Vacant Residential, Commercial, & Industrial Property Registration Program
The City of Hamilton contains a significant amount of vacant and abandoned residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. Unfortunately, in many cases owners or other responsible parties fail to adequately maintain and secure their properties. It is a well-established fact that vacant buildings cause severe harm to the health, safety and general welfare of the community, including diminution of neighboring property values, loss of property tax revenues, accumulation of trash and debris, increased risk of fire, and the potential for an increase in criminal activity. In an effort to mitigate these risks, and encourage restoration of these residential, commercial, and industrial properties to productive use, the City of Hamilton has established a vacant property registration process.
Every owner of a vacant residential, commercial, and industrial property is required to register the property within 90 days of the property becoming vacant, or within 30 days of being notified to register, in accordance with the requirements adopted in Chapter 1507 of the Fire Prevention Code, amended in 2020 OR2020-2-4, and again in 2021 to include residential vacant properties OR2021-4-24.
Note: The transfer of property(s) from one owner to the next does not restart the registration fee year or escalation rate,
unless the property qualifies for an exemption.
How to Register a Property
Step 1: Complete the Registration Form
Step 2: Submit a Vacant Property Plan
Step 3: Pay the Annual Fee
Contact
vacantproperty@hamilton-oh.gov
513-785-7508
Download the Forms
All forms & documents are to be sent to the Hamilton Fire Department electronically at vacantproperty@hamilton-oh.gov or by mail to 77 Pershing Avenue, Hamilton, Ohio 45011
Foreclosed Property Registration Program
Welcome to the City of Hamilton’s Semi-Annual Foreclosed Property Registration Program, in accordance with Chapter 1707 of the City of Hamilton’s Codified Ordinances. Within ten (10) business days of filing a foreclosure action on a residential property located within the City of Hamilton, a separate registration is required for each property under a Foreclosure Action, regardless of whether it is occupied or vacant. There is a semi-annual fee of $200.
Please see chapter 1707 of the City of Hamilton's Codified Ordinances to review the full text of the ordinance.
All forms & documents are to be sent to the City of Hamilton electronically at vacantproperty@hamilton-oh.gov or by mail to the City of Hamilton, C/O Foreclosure Registration Program, 345 High Street, Floor 4, Hamilton, Ohio 45011
FAQs
What is the goal of the vacant and foreclosed property registration programs?
The goal is to establish a process for identifying and registering vacant structures within the City of Hamilton and incentivizes their return to productive use. The program governs the responsibilities of the owners of vacant structures, and redirects the cost of the vacant property from the the citizens of Hamilton back to the property owner.
What about fees, and are there refunds available?
Fees were established as part of the program to provide appropriate incentives for owners of vacant buildings to care for their property, seek to fill them, and in appropriate cases, demolish them. The escalating annual fee amounts are intended to increase pressure on the vacant property owner, absorb costs for possible demolition, hazard abatement, or repairs to vacant structures.
Vacant Residential Fee Schedule:
$200 (Years 0-1)
$400 (Years 1-2)
$800 (Years 2-3)
$1,600 (Years 3-4)
$3,200 (Every Subsequent Renewal)
Vacant Commercial & Industrial Fee Schedule:
$400 (Years 0-1)
$800 (Years 1-2)
$1,600 (Years 2-3)
$3,200 (Years 3-4)
$6,400 (Every Subsequent Renewal)
Foreclosure Fee Schedule:
$200 semi-annually during the foreclosure process.
Refunds:
If the property is reoccupied within one (1) year of payment of the annual registration fee, and is brought into compliance with the applicable standards set forth in all State and City Housing Codes, Building Codes and Property Maintenance Codes, it will be eligible for a refund. The refund shall be prorated by day for the fee paid during the calendar year in which the Vacant Property was brought into compliance with the aforementioned codes and reoccupied. Registration fees paid in previous years shall not be refunded.
Why is the City requiring vacant buildings to be registered?
It is a well-established fact that vacant buildings cause severe harm to the health, safety and general welfare of the community, including diminution of neighboring property values, loss of property tax revenues, accumulation of trash and debris, increased risk of fire, and the potential for an increase in criminal activity. In an effort to mitigate these risks, and encourage restoration of these residential, commercial, and industrial properties to productive use, the City of Hamilton has established a vacant and foreclosed property registration process.
My property isn’t vacant, but I got a letter?
There are several ways your property could have been identified as vacant, and includes any condition that on its own or combined with other existing conditions that would lead a reasonable person to believe the building is vacant. Such conditions include, but are not limited to: no or significantly below standard utility usage; overgrown or dead vegetation; accumulation of newspapers, circulars, flyers or mail; accumulation of trash, junk or debris; broken or boarded up windows; abandoned or inoperable vehicles; the absence of furnishings or other personal items consistent with habitation or occupation; statement(s) by neighboring property owners, delivery persons, U.S. Postal service employees or government employee(s) that the building is vacant.
If you believed you received a notice to register in error, you can contact the Hamilton Fire Department at vacantproperty@hamilton-oh.gov to explain your specific situation and provide documentation that the building is not vacant (i.e. current lease agreements.)
My property is vacant, but I have an extenuating circumstance that I would like to request an exemption for.
There are situations where an exemption from registration is available:
Active Construction: Buildings under active construction with a valid building permit on file with the City of Hamilton.
Fire & Extreme Weather Damage: Fire & extreme weather damage is exempt from registering for a period of (90) days after the event, contingent on submitting a request for exemption.
For Sale with Licensed Realtor: Proof that your property is listed for sale with a licensed State of Ohio Realtor grants you exemption for (12) months. Valid for the first year of vacancy only.
Good Cause Exemption: If you feel you have a good cause exemption, you can submit your request for the Fire Chief for review.