The Derelict Vacant Commercial Building Ordinance went into effect in 2026. Any property meeting all three criteria will be registered and monitored for compliance.
- Commercial buildings. Residential structures are excluded from this ordinance.
- Vacant for at least six months.
- One or more Housing Code violations, including property maintenance, building, fire, health, or nuisance violations.
If all three conditions are met, a fee of $200 will assessed every six months to the owner(s) of each property.
To report a potential Derelict Vacant Commercial Building, use the City’s report a problem feature at cityofcape.org/report.
Common violations:
- Broken windows
- Deteriorated siding, window/door frames
- Holes on roof or walls
- Overgrowth of weeds
- Litter and debris