Derelict Structures

Norfolk has adopted an ordinance to address derelict buildings by enlisting the cooperation of property owners to demolish or renovate buildings within a specific period of time, rather than forcing the City to use existing “nuisance property” authority to abate the situation.

The ordinance follows action by the Virginia General Assembly to give localities a new tool to deal with the derelict structures that negatively impact neighborhoods. The changes were supported by the Virginia Housing Commission.

A major component of the ordinance requires owners to register derelict buildings and submit a plan rectifying the situation. The ordinance streamlines existing city incentives for renovating and demolishing structures and will have a major impact on Norfolk as the City addresses quality of life issues in many of its neighborhoods.

Under the ordinance, a “derelict structure” is defined as a residential or nonresidential building – completed or under construction, which:

• Might endanger the public’s health, safety or welfare;
• Has, for a continuous period of six months:
• Been vacant
• Boarded up
• Not lawfully connected to electric service from a utility service provider or not lawfully connected to any water or sewer service from a utility service provider.

Under the ordinance, the owners of buildings declared derelict are required to develop a plan within 90 days, to either renovate or demolish the structure. Owners will be notified if their property is declared derelict:

• by certified mail, or
• if the only address on record is the property, by a notice posted on the property.

Under the ordinance, workplans for derelict buildings will be submitted to the Director of Neighborhood Preservation for scheduling and approval. The plan may include one or more adjacent properties held by the same owner.

Once a plan is approved, the plan, including the schedule for commencement and completion of the work, is binding on the property owner. In an effort to encourage owners to take action, the ordinance provides the following incentives:

Renovation:

• Refund of 50 percent of the building permit fees upon submittal of proof of renovation within the prescribed time period
• At the request of the property owner, the real estate assessor will assess the derelict building before and after renovation. The real estate tax in an amount equal to the increase in the fair market value of the renovations shall be abated for 14 years and is transferable with the property

*The tax abatement program is not available for any property that is a registered Virginia landmark or is determined by the Virginia Department of Historic resources to contribute to the significance of a registered historic district.

Demolition

• The demolition permit fees refunded upon submittal of proof of demolition within the prescribed time period
• At request of the property owner following demolition, the real estate assessor shall reflect a reduction in assessment.

Failure to submit a plan within the allotted time, or failure to comply with the contents of a work plan or schedule for commencement and completion, shall constitute a class 2 misdemeanor.

Nothing in the new ordinance would prohibit the City from using its authority under existing laws to make repairs, secure the derelict building, demolish the structure or otherwise abate the nuisance.

The City’s goal is to prevent properties from getting to this point; however, once they do, this ordinance will help the city address the issue in a timely manner.

Your Civic League Can Help.

Your civic league, its members and your community are the best eyes for your neighborhood.  The Department of Neighborhood Preservation has set up a means for civic leagues to submit information on properties they would like the department to add to the list of possible derelict structures.  If your civic league would like to submit information, please:

• Create one list to be submitted by a designated member of your civic league.
• Complete the Derelict Structure Submission form and mail to:

Department of Neighborhood Preservation
Director's Office
Derelict Structure Submission
400 Granby Street
Norfolk, VA 23510

Derelict Structures Submission Form

Please note that the submission of information does not imply that legal action will be taken against the property owner.  Submissions are for inventory purpose of suspect derelict properties only. Structures must be inspected by appropriate agencies to determine if they are derelict or if any code violations exist.

Thank you for your help with this endeavor!

Derelict Structures Brochure