Annual registration of vacant and/or foreclosing properties required.
Kansas City Code § 56-573
in effectSec. 56-573. - Annual registration of vacant and/or foreclosing properties required.
(a) Annual registration. Effective 90 days after the council's passage of committee substitute for ordinance 260401, all owners of vacant and/or foreclosing property must register such property with the director in compliance with this section.
(1) For vacant property, such registration shall be due within 90 days of the property becoming and remaining vacant.
(2) For foreclosing property, such registration shall be due within 14 days of initiation of the foreclosure process as defined in this chapter.
All registrations submitted under this article shall expire on May 31 of each registration period for which they were submitted and shall be subject to renewal annually. Application for renewal of registration in any period will be accepted beginning June 1 and may be made without penalty through June 30.
(b) Registration information and documentation required. All owners of vacant and/or foreclosing property shall submit their registration and renewal upon forms provided by the director and include the following information and documentation:
(1) The common name of the property, if any, the exact street address of the property and the number of units in each building on the property.
(2) An identification of the owner(s) by full name, telephone number, mailing address, email address and date of birth. The mailing address may not be a P.O. Box. If the property is owned by a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, limited partnership, trust or real estate investment trust, the name and address of any of the following shall be provided:
a. For a corporation, a corporate officer and the chief operating officer;
b. For a partnership, the managing partner;
c. For a limited liability company, the managing or administrative member;
d. For a limited partnership, a general partner;
e. For a trust, a trustee; or
f. For a real estate investment trust, a general partner or an officer.
(3) Name and address of all lien holders and any other party with an ownership interest in the property.
(4) A notarized affidavit executed by a natural person, listing such person's full name, telephone number, mailing address and email address, stating that they have management control and responsibility for the property, will personally inspect the property's interior and exterior at least once per month and that they affirm compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including but not limited to applicable requirements in this code governing procurement of any required licenses and permits, and all nuisance, property maintenance, health, fire, building, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing codes. In addition, such natural person will specifically affirm in such affidavit that they will continually secure the vacant property in the following manner:
a. All windows, doors, and other openings shall be secured to prevent unauthorized or unlawful entry, using materials properly fitted, maintained and installed in a professional manner.
b. Each building shall be maintained in a weather-tight condition, including a sound roof free of leaks and structural failure and intact exterior walls and foundation without significant cracks, breaches or deterioration.
c. Compliance with the adopted International Fire Code, chapter 26 of this code, regarding National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Hazard Identification Signs in conformance with NFPA 704 and applicable NFPA standards regarding placards marking vacant buildings to protect the safety of emergency responders.
d. All water lines shall be drained or otherwise secured to prevent leakage, pipe failure, or freezing. All utilities shall be properly disconnected or maintained in a safe condition.
e. The building and property shall be maintained free of:
i. accumulated litter, trash, rubbish or garbage, as those terms are defined in chapter 62 of this code; and
ii. excessive growth of vegetation, as that term is defined in chapter 48 of this code; and
f. Prompt repair of any condition not adhering to the above standards.
The lack of specific reference herein to any applicable requirements for such property under this code or other law shall not excuse any violation of the same, nor waive city's ability to take any and all enforcement and abatement measures toward the same, as permitted by this code or other law.
(5) The full name, telephone number, mailing address and email address of the natural person designated by the owner, to receive service of any notice, order or summons issued because of a violation of this code.
(6) The names, addresses, and phone numbers of designated employees or authorized representatives who may be contacted in the event of an emergency.
(7) The owner's current plans or intent for the property. Registrants shall check all that apply:
a. Active rehabilitation or renovation of any structure on the property;
b. Planned sale or transfer to a third party;
c. Holding for future use with no immediate development plans; or
d. Other, with a written explanation.
(8) The signature of the owner, an officer if the owner is a corporation, a partner if the owner is a partnership, and a member if the owner is a limited liability company.
(9) For foreclosing property, the owner shall also:
a. Certify that the property was inspected for occupancy and identify whether the property is vacant at the time of registration. If the property is not vacant at the time of registration, a monthly inspection shall be conducted by the owner to determine if the property has become vacant. If, upon subsequent inspection, a property is determined to be vacant, an updated registration form shall be filed with the city.
b. Send written notice addressed to the occupant of the property, sent via regular mail, postage pre-paid, stating that the foreclosure process has been initiated.
(c) The Director may, by rule, establish a simplified registration form for unimproved vacant property that collects the information most relevant to monitoring and engaging with owners of such parcels.
(Ord. No. 260401, § 1, 7-30-26)
Source: City of Kansas City, Missouri, Code of Ordinances, Charter and Zoning and Development Code (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/mo/kansas_city/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COORKAMIVOII_CH56PRMACO_ARTVIREVAPRFOPR_S56-573ANREVAFOPRREFetched: 10/28/2026