PROCEDURE

Richmond, Va., City Code ch. 5, art. IV, div. 2

in effect

Richmond, Va., City Code § 5-118 Procedure; preliminary determination of blight.

Sec. 5-118. - Procedure; preliminary determination of blight. (a) The Mayor shall make a preliminary determination that a property is blighted property in accordance with this article. The Mayor shall provide written notice to the owner of record of such property as required by general law, specifying the reasons why the property is blighted. (b) The owner of record shall have 30 days from the date the notice is sent in which to respond in writing with a spot blight abatement plan to address the blight within a reasonable time. (Code 2004, § 14-203; Code 2015, § 5-118; Code 2020, § 5-118; Ord. No. 2007-295-276, § 1, 11-26-2007)

Richmond, Va., City Code § 5-119 Hearing before planning commission.

Sec. 5-119. - Hearing before planning commission. (a) If the owner fails to eliminate the blight within the 30-day period or if the owner fails to respond within the 30-day period with a spot blight abatement plan that is acceptable to the Mayor, then the Mayor: (1) May request the City Planning Commission to conduct a public hearing and make findings and recommendations that shall be reported to the City Council concerning the repair or other disposition of the property in question; and (2) In the event a public hearing is scheduled, shall prepare a written City blight abatement plan for the repair or other disposition of the property for consideration by the City Planning Commission at its public hearing. (b) Notice of all public hearings shall be in accordance with general law. (Code 2004, § 14-204; Code 2015, § 5-119; Code 2020, § 5-119; Ord. No. 2007-295-276, § 1, 11-26-2007)

Richmond, Va., City Code § 5-120 Planning Commission hearing requirements.

Sec. 5-120. - Planning Commission hearing requirements. (a) After hearing testimony from all affected parties, the Planning Commission shall do the following: (1) Determine whether the property is blighted; (2) Determine whether the owner have failed to cure the blight or to present a reasonable spot blight abatement plan to do so; (3) Determine if the plans presented for the repair or other disposition of the property are in accordance with the locally adopted comprehensive plan, zoning ordinances and other applicable land use regulations; and (4) Review any comments received from the Commission of Architectural Review provided in those cases where the property is located within an area listed on the National Register of Historic Places and where the Commission of Architectural Review has been consulted as required by general law. (b) At the close of the public hearing on the property, the City Planning Commission shall report its findings and recommendations on the plan to the City Council. (Code 2004, § 14-205; Code 2015, § 5-120; Code 2020, § 5-120; Ord. No. 2007-295-276, § 1, 11-26-2007)

Richmond, Va., City Code § 5-121 City Council action.

Sec. 5-121. - City Council action. Following the receipt of the City Planning Commission's report, the City Council may, after an advertised public hearing, affirm, modify or reject the City Planning Commission's findings and recommendations on the plan. If the City Planning Commission's recommendation is affirmed by the City Council, then the Mayor may cause the approved plan to be implemented. If the City repairs or acquires property under its City blight abatement plan, it shall have a lien on all property so repaired or acquired as provided by Code of Virginia, § 36-49.1:1(G). (Code 2004, § 14-206; Code 2015, § 5-121; Code 2020, § 5-121; Ord. No. 2007-295-276, § 1, 11-26-2007)

Richmond, Va., City Code § 5-122 Policies and regulations.

Sec. 5-122. - Policies and regulations. The Mayor may issue policies and regulations, which may be revised from time to time, for implementation of this article and consistent with the purpose and intent of Code of Virginia, § 36-49.1:1. (Code 2004, § 14-207; Code 2015, § 5-122; Code 2020, § 5-122; Ord. No. 2007-295-276, § 1, 11-26-2007)

Richmond, Va., City Code § 5-123 Other laws and ordinances.

Sec. 5-123. - Other laws and ordinances. Nothing in this article shall be construed to relieve an owner of blighted property, or any other person or entity from complying with other applicable laws relating to the development, use, rehabilitation, condition, maintenance or taxation of real property. The provisions of this article shall be in addition to any other remedies for blight abatement set out in general law or this Code. (Code 2004, § 14-208; Code 2015, § 5-123; Code 2020, § 5-123; Ord. No. 2007-295-276, § 1, 11-26-2007)

Source: City of Richmond, Virginia, Code (2026 recodification) and Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/va/richmond/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICICO_CH5BUBURE_ARTIVSPBLABPR_DIV2PRFetched: 11/8/2026