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Vacant Property
The DC Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) has exclusive authority to classify vacant buildings as granted through the "Real Property Tax Reform Classification Emergency Amendment Act of 2009." DCRA regularly monitors the District's more than 180,000 properties and investigates complaints from residents and referrals from other agencies and organizations.
The DCRA Vacant Property Unit conducts an initial four point survey/inspection to determine whether or not the property (1) appeared vacant, (2) had excessive vegetation and (3) graffiti and (4) was open and accessible. If the survey/inspections provides convincing evidence that the property is vacant, a letter is sent the owner of record.
Property owners have the opportunity to provide evidence that the home is either "occupied" or is vacant and qualifies for an exemption the vacant property tax rate. Properties must be determined to be "blighted" by DCRA to be classified at the Class 3 tax rate.
The following may be considered in determining whether a property is blighted:
- Failure to comply with the following vacant building maintenance standards
- Doors, windows, areaways, and other openings are weather-tight and secured against entry by birds, vermin, and trespassers, and missing or broken doors, windows, and other openings are covered
- The exterior walls are free of holes, breaks, graffiti, and loose or rotting materials, and exposed metal and wood surfaces are protected from the elements and against decay or rust by periodic application of weather-coating materials, such as paint
- All balconies, porches, canopies, marquees, signs, metal awnings, stairways, accessory and appurtenant structures, and similar features are safe and sound, and exposed metal and wood surfaces are protected from the elements by application of weather-coating materials, such as paint; or.
- The structure is boarded up.
It is the responsibility of the property owner to register their property as vacant within 30 days of being unoccupied. Unoccupied means no one is currently living in the home and has no intention of returning.
If you believe a property is vacant is would like to report it to the Office of Vacant Property, please call 311.
Please review the following information regarding the DCRA Vacant Property Initiative. Customers are encouraged to call (202) 442-4332 for an update on the property's status or email vacantproperty@dc.gov.
Vacant Property Information
A list of properties DCRA has determined to be vacant is posted below. If you feel your property is listed in error, please contact DCRA's Vacant Property Unit at (202) 442-4332 immediately or email vacantproperty@dc.gov. If you are considering purchasing a property on this list, please speak with your real estate agent and or title company to ensure the tax classification is adjusted. Note: The lists above are organized by Ward. To find your property, enter the four-digit address number and click on "find" in the PDF. If the address you are looking for has fewer than four-digits, please enter zero(s) before the number. For example, to search of 23 Pine Street, enter "0023".
Notice: New Laws in Effect as of October 1, 2009
Beginning October 1, 2009, only properties determined to be blighted shall be subject to the vacant property tax assessment of $10 per $100 assessed value.
Fact Sheets
Online Information and Services
Appeal Form & Instructions
The DCRA Office of Vacant Property is now accepting vacant property designation appeal forms online. Please download the fillable form below and complete in its entirety. You can then email the form to the Office of Vacant Property at vacantproperty@dc.gov. You can also print the form and fax to (202) 442-9445. What Happens After I Appeal?
- If you ask to appear before the OVP, you’ll be notified by mail and phone of the date and time you must appear. If you don’t ask to appear, the OVP will decide your appeal based on the information on this form, the attachments, and information from the DCRA inspector.
- The OVP will issue a Notice of Final Determination within 30 days after it gets your Vacant Property Appeal Form.
- You have the right to appeal an adverse decision of the OVP to the Board of Real Property Assessment and Appeals (BRPAA), 441 4th Street, NW #430S, Washington, DC 20001, (202) 727-6860. The deadline to file an appeal with BRPAA is 45 days after the date the OVP issues your Notice of Final Determination.
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