TOWSON, MD—County Executive Johnny Olszewski on Monday announced plans to introduce legislation establishing penalties on vacant and blighted properties in order to further incentivize rehabilitation and redevelopment in Baltimore County.

The proposed penalty be a $10 fee per $100 of a property’s assessed value and would only apply to buildings that have been vacant and cited as unfit for habitation or other uses. Property owners would have six months to remedy the issue before a lien is placed on the property. The Baltimore County Department of Permits, Approvals, and Inspections would determine if the structure has been razed, redeveloped, or made fit for habitation within six months.

The revenue from the tax would be split between the Neglected Property Community Fund and the Housing Opportunities Fund. The Neglected Property Community Fund provides grants to bring blighted properties into legal compliance, while the Housing Opportunities Fund supports the development, rehabilitation, and preservation of affordable and attainable housing.

The tax is part of a broader plan to address community concerns and revitalize neighborhoods in Baltimore County.

In 2023, Baltimore County created the first-ever Vacant Properties Portal, a public tool which documents properties found and confirmed to be vacant. Since establishing this law, Baltimore county has already confirmed over 430 vacant properties.

“Transforming blighted and abandoned properties in our communities supports economic development, improves residents’ quality of life and creates much-needed housing opportunities for all,” said County Executive Olszewski. “This commonsense legislation will be yet another tool to encourage reinvestment in our neighborhoods and ensure Baltimore County remains a safe – and vibrant – place to live, work and raise a family.”

The Maryland General Assembly passed a law in 2024 that allows local governments to establish a subclass and set a special rate for vacant and abandoned property. Baltimore County is currently considering implementing the law.

This article was written with the assistance of AI and reviewed by a human editor.