City of Sacramento - File #: 2026-00507

• File #: 2026-00507
• Version: 1
• Type: Discussion Item
• Status: Agenda Ready
• File created: 1/23/2026
• In control: Law and Legislation Committee
• On agenda: 3/17/2026
• Title: Discussion of an Enhanced Vacant Lot and Vacant Building Monitoring and Enforcement Program
• Code sections: 1.04 - General Provisions, 15.52 - Vacant buildings and structures , 8.04 - Nuisances Generally, 8.100 - Housing Code, 8.100 Article XV - Maintenance of Vacant Buildings , 8.136 - Registration of Vacant Lots, 8.76 - Securing Unimproved or Unoccupied Real Property

Title
Discussion of an Enhanced Vacant Lot and Vacant Building Monitoring and Enforcement Program
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FileID
File ID: 2026-00507
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Location
Location: Citywide
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Recommendation
Recommendation: 1) Receive a report on the City's existing vacant lot program and vacant building programs with proposed enhancements; and 2) pass a Motion directing staff to prepare an ordinance for an enhanced vacant lot and vacant building registration, monitoring and enforcement program.
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Contact
Contact: Peter Lemos, Code and Housing Enforcement Chief, (916) 808-8183, plemos@cityofsacramento.org, Community Development Department
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Presenter
Presenter: Peter Lemos, Code and Housing Enforcement Chief, (916) 808-8183, plemos@cityofsacramento.org, Community Development Department
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Attachments
Attachments:
1-Description/Analysis
2-Proposed Vacant Lot and Building Monitoring and Enforcement
3-City Programs and Incentives Related to Vacant Properties
4-City Comparison of Registration Fees
5-Presentation - Vacant Properties
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Description/Analysis
IssueDetail
Issue Detail: The topic of vacant parcels and properties has been of interest in recent years due to concerns of blighted vacant properties, empty buildings and vacant storefronts, and a lack of development on vacant parcels over prolonged periods of time. The request for an enhanced vacant lot and vacant building registration, monitoring, and enforcement program has been discussed to address this citywide issue.

Enhanced Vacant Lot and Vacant Building Monitoring and Enforcement Program

The City of Sacramento's Vacant Lot Program (Chapter 8.136) was adopted in 2018 to reduce blight and improve maintenance standards. The program requires annual registration, establishes nuisance monitoring fees, and sets standards for property upkeep. The adopted ordinance did not include staffing for monitoring or enforcement of the vacant lots.

On September 16, 2025, staff brought a discussion item t...