The city of Phoenix plans to crack down on vacant properties to ensure they do not turn into blight and to help property owners activate the space rather than letting it sit.
Last week a Phoenix Subcommittee unanimously recommended a new vacant property registry with the Neighborhood Services Department that now heads to a city council vote on Wednesday, Nov. 1.
The registry only applies to commercial properties, properties of more than 10,000 square feet and residential properties with 50 or more units. Multiple members on the Economic Development and Housing Subcommittee, along with many members of the public, asked for vacant residential properties to be held to similar standards. Neighborhood Services staff plans increased enforcement on those properties but under a different approach.
