DERELICT BUILDING PROGRAM

Richmond, Va., City Code ch. 5, art. V

in effect

Richmond, Va., City Code § 5-145 Established.

Sec. 5-145. - Established. In accordance with Code of Virginia, § 15.2-907.1, there is hereby established a derelict building program. The purpose of the derelict building program is to establish a procedure by which the City and property owners may reduce the number of derelict buildings, as defined herein, in the City and improve the health, safety and welfare of communities within the City. (Code 2004, § 14-221; Code 2015, § 5-145; Code 2020, § 5-145; Ord. No. 2013-15-18, § 1, 2-25-2013)

Richmond, Va., City Code § 5-146 Definitions.

Sec. 5-146. - Definitions. The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning: Derelict building means a residential or nonresidential building or structure, whether or not construction has been completed, that might endanger the public's health, safety or welfare and for a continuous period in excess of six months, such building or structure has been: (1) Vacant; (2) Boarded up in accordance with the building code; and (3) Not lawfully connected to electric service from a utility service provider or not lawfully connected to any required water or sewer service from a utility service provider. Plan means the plan submitted by the owner of a derelict building to the Commissioner of Buildings in accordance with Section 5-149. Program means the derelict building program established by Section 5-145. (Code 2004, § 14-222; Code 2015, § 5-146; Code 2020, § 5-146; Ord. No. 2013-15-18, § 1, 2-25-2013)

Richmond, Va., City Code § 5-147 Administration.

Sec. 5-147. - Administration. The Commissioner of Buildings shall administer the program and promulgate such rules and regulations not inconsistent with the provisions of this Code and other applicable laws as the Commissioner of Buildings deems necessary for the effective administration of the program. With the advice of the City Attorney, the Commissioner of Buildings shall develop the appropriate form for the notice required by Section 5-148. The Commissioner of Buildings shall also develop standards for the approval of plans and the appropriate forms for the submission of plans by the owners of derelict buildings in accordance with Section 5-149. In addition, the Commissioner shall submit a report to the Council on or before January 31 of each year concerning the number of properties declared to be derelict in accordance with this article within the calendar year ending on the immediately preceding December 31. (Code 2004, § 14-223; Code 2015, § 5-147; Code 2020, § 5-147; Ord. No. 2013-15-18, § 1, 2-25-2013)

Richmond, Va., City Code § 5-148 Notice of declaration of derelict property.

Sec. 5-148. - Notice of declaration of derelict property. (a) Whenever the Commissioner of Buildings determines that there exists upon land in the City any derelict building, the Commissioner of Buildings shall deliver written notice of such determination to the address listed on the real estate tax assessment records of the City Assessor. Such notice shall be delivered by certified mail and shall constitute delivery for purposes of this section. (b) The written notice required by Subsection (a) of this section shall state that the owner of the derelict building is required to submit to the Commissioner of Buildings a plan, within 90 days, to demolish or renovate such building to address the items that endanger the public's health, safety or welfare as listed in the written notification provided by the Commissioner of Buildings. (Code 2004, § 14-224; Code 2015, § 5-148; Code 2020, § 5-148; Ord. No. 2013-15-18, § 1, 2-25-2013)

Richmond, Va., City Code § 5-149 Submission of plan by property owner; approval by Commissioner of Buildings; penalty for noncompliance.

Sec. 5-149. - Submission of plan by property owner; approval by Commissioner of Buildings; penalty for noncompliance. (a) Any owner of a derelict building to whom the Commissioner of Buildings has sent a written notice in accordance with Section 5-148 shall submit to the Commissioner of Buildings a plan, within 90 days, to demolish or renovate such building to address the items that endanger the public's health, safety or welfare as listed in the written notification provided by the Commissioner of Buildings. Such plan shall be submitted on forms provided by the Commissioner of Buildings and shall include a proposed time within which the plan will be commenced and completed. (b) The Commissioner of Buildings shall review any plans submitted in accordance with this section. Such plans shall be subject to approval by the Commissioner of Buildings and shall be deemed noncompliant until such plan is approved by the Commissioner of Buildings. (c) Any person who owns or controls a derelict building for which the Commissioner of Buildings has delivered a written notice in accordance with Section 5-148 who fails to submit a plan in accordance with this section or who fails to comply with the contents of an approved plan or the dates for commencement and completion as specified in such plan shall be guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor, the penalty for which may include confinement in jail for not more than six months and a fine of not more than $1,000.00, either or both, and each day of violation shall be a separate violation. (Code 2004, § 14-225; Code 2015, § 5-149; Code 2020, § 5-149; Ord. No. 2013-15-18, § 1, 2-25-2013)

Richmond, Va., City Code § 5-150 Plan completion; permit fee refund.

Sec. 5-150. - Plan completion; permit fee refund. (a) If an approved plan submitted by the owner of a derelict building to whom the Commissioner of Buildings has sent a written notice in accordance with Section 5-148 calls for demolition of the derelict building, upon submission of proof of completion of such demolition within 90 days of the date of the building permit issuance, the Commissioner of Buildings shall refund to such owner any building and demolition permit fees. However, this section shall not supersede any provision of Chapter 30, Article IX, Division 4 or any ordinance adopted pursuant to Code of Virginia, § 15.2-2306 relative to historic districts. (b) If an approved plan submitted by the owner of a derelict building to whom the Commissioner of Buildings has sent a written notice in accordance with Section 5-148 calls for renovation of the derelict building, and no rezoning is required for the owner's intended use of the property: (1) No building permit fees shall exceed the lesser of 50 percent of the standard fees established for building permit applications for the proposed use of the property, or $5,000.00 per property; and (2) No site plan or subdivision fees shall exceed the lesser of 50 percent of the standard fees established for site plan or subdivision applications for the proposed use of the property, or $5,000.00 per property. (Code 2004, § 14-226; Code 2015, § 5-150; Code 2020, § 5-150; Ord. No. 2013-15-18, § 1, 2-25-2013)

Richmond, Va., City Code § 5-151 Additional remedies for noncompliance; receivership.

Sec. 5-151. - Additional remedies for noncompliance; receivership. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 5-149, the City may proceed to make repairs and secure the derelict building under Code of Virginia, § 15.2-906 or abate or remove a nuisance under Code of Virginia, § 15.2-900. In addition, the City may exercise such remedies as may exist under the Uniform Statewide Building Code and may exercise such other remedies available under general and special law. In accordance with Code of Virginia, § 15.2-907.2, the Chief Administrative Officer may petition the Circuit Court for the appointment of the City to act as a receiver to repair real property that contains residential dwelling units, subject to the fulfillment of all of the requirements set forth in Code of Virginia, § 15.2-907.2, and shall have the authority to implement all of the remedies and carry out all necessary actions set forth in Code of Virginia, § 15.2-907.2. (Code 2004, § 14-227; Code 2015, § 5-151; Code 2020, § 5-151; Ord. No. 2013-15-18, § 1, 2-25-2013)

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_ARTVDEBUPRFetched: 11/8/2026