ORDINANCE NO. 260498
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Sponsor: Mayor Quinton Lucas
Calling an election on August 4, 2026, for the purpose of submitting to the voters of Kansas City a question authorizing City to establish semiannual vacant property registration fees not to exceed $200.00 for chronically vacant nuisance property, $1,000.00 for vacant commercial property and $200.00 for vacant unimproved property; directing the City Clerk to notify the responsible election authorities on or before May 26, 2026; enacting the vacant property registration fees ordinance contingent upon voter approval; and recognizing this ordinance as having an accelerated effective date because it calls an election.
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WHEREAS, the City of Kansas City currently maintains a vacant property registry to identify and monitor properties within the City that are vacant and may pose risks to public health, safety and welfare; and
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? WHEREAS, there are currently an estimated 12,200 privately owned vacant parcels in Kansas City; and
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? WHEREAS, vacant properties that are left unmanaged contribute to neighborhood deterioration, depress surrounding property values, attract criminal activity, and place disproportionate burdens on adjacent property owners and the broader community; and
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? WHEREAS, the City currently expends significant public resources periodically inspecting vacant properties to ensure compliance with applicable codes at a cost that is not currently reimbursed by property owners; and
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? WHEREAS, in May 2025, City Council passed Resolution No. 250396, which established the Vacant Land Activation Initiative ("VLAI") to develop recommendations for addressing vacancy across the City; and
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? WHEREAS, one recommendation from the VLAI is to develop a vacant property registration fee system with a tiered fee structure for residential with structure, residential without structure, and commercial; and
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? WHEREAS, expanding registration to unimproved parcels, which makes up 87% of t...
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