City Council is looking to fast-track demolition permits for certain vacant properties that are putting their neighbors at risk.
Vacant properties in question are defined by the West Hollywood Municipal Code as those substantially vacant, unoccupied, or abandoned for more than 45 days, or properties where no construction or building safety inspections have occurred within the last 90 days. The city has faced challenges with such properties, which often become targets for trespassing and other public safety issues, prompting calls for an expedited process to address these concerns.
The proposed ZTA would enable city staff to issue demolition permits without the concurrent processing of other discretionary permits when a property poses ongoing and immediate public safety hazards. This approach aims to mitigate risks from properties that are frequently the subject of complaints or incidents, such as fires or vandalism.
The proposal by Mayor John M. Erickson includes steps to expedite the ZTA, with a planned timeline that skips the Long Range Planning Subcommittee review typically required for such amendments. Public hearings by the Planning Commission and City Council are scheduled for September and October, respectively.
The proposal also outlines the need for ongoing maintenance of vacant lots post-demolition to prevent further community blight.
This measure comes with a sunset clause ensuring a reevaluation of the policy within two years.
In 2019, Council established new public nuisance standards to address property maintenance and vacant property issues.
As part of these standards, a Vacant Property Registration Program was initiated, requiring all vacant properties in West Hollywood to be inspected by Code Enforcement Officers and registered. Following inspection, properties are classified as “Stable,” “At-Risk,” “Problematic,” or “Failed” based on their condition. Each classification is associated with a fee to cover the costs of routine inspections and responses to calls-for-service by the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station and Code Enforcement personnel.
Fees for vacant property registration vary based on the condition of the property and the level of public agency resources required. Well-maintained properties with minimal calls-for-service incur lower fees. Since the program’s implementation, the city has collected $51,720 (March 2021 to February 2024).
Properties are categorized into four classifications with corresponding fees:
– **Stable**: Well-maintained properties with minimal repairs needed. Fee: $0 annually (if initially classified as “Stable”) or $740 annually.
– **At-Risk**: Fairly well-maintained properties needing repairs. Fee: $2,220 bi-annually.
– **Problematic**: Properties requiring significant repairs but not deemed unsafe. Fee: $2,220 quarterly.
– **Failed**: Unmaintained properties posing a significant threat. Fee: $2,220 monthly.
When violations are observed at a vacant property, Code Enforcement Officers issue a warning notice to the owner, detailing the problem and providing instructions for correction with an established compliance date. If violations persist after the compliance date, administrative citations are issued, ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 based on the number of occurrences per violation.
From March 2021 to February 2024, Code Enforcement Officers issued 101 administrative citations for violations of the Vacant Property Ordinance, totaling $179,825 in citations and an additional $51,000 in penalties, amounting to $230,825.
I have emails going back to 2005 begging the City to do just this. They were useless and worthless then and they are useless and worthless now.
Yes!! ! Way overdue. We have too many vacant properties, buildings and lots in weho. City council needs to take aggressive steps to address this asap
Oh, the paperwork! Call the bulldozers now, discuss later.
This is a sensible proposal. Those abandoned properties aren’t serving anyone.
Great!
They need to demolish all abandoned buildings in West Hollywood, as the homeless just move in while the city somewhat ignores the fact that the homeless are living in vacant buildings.
The current West Hollywood city government, such as it is, obviously does not care one bit about blight. Look at basics, look at the old French market, look at so many spots in the city that are pathetically and hideously derelict. Speaking of pathetic and hideously derelict, any news on new candidates for the city council? We have nowhere to go but up.
This is progress even though it is long overdue. Unfortunately due to the huge increase in the homeless population, every vacant building needs to be viewed as a public safety risk and monitored aggressively. Property owners of vacant buildings need to be held accountable for the safety risks and if they can’t maintain their buildings, the CIty needs to aggressively take action, including demolition, and charge the property owner and lien the property. I have been raising this issue at meetings long before 2019 and while I am glad we are finally seeing action, it is only because the public… Read more »
This is true. If a vacant building is not secured or demolished, then the homeless will move in. This is a safety hazard. The city needs to enforce the rules better.