At Clear Title Agency we think knowledge is power and keeping our customers informed about new regulations that impact the real estate industry is important.  The City of Phoenix has recently enacted a new ordinance that requires owners of vacant property to register with the Neighborhood Services Department.

The owners of the following types of property are required to register with the Neighborhood Services Department, if vacant for more than 30 days:

• Non-residential properties

• Unimproved land over 10,000 square feet

• Residential properties with 50 or more vacant units

The recently passed ordinance by the Phoenix City Council in December 2023, is designed to help alleviate challenges with blight, crime and other code violations. Property owners are now required to register annually, provide accurate contact information, and promptly report any occupancy changes within a 10-day timeframe. Additionally, out-of-state owners must designate a local point of contact to address any issues that may arise with the vacant property.

As of February 2024, Enforcement of this ordinance is now underway. Property owners who fail to register their vacant properties may face fines ranging from $500 to $2,500.

The Vacant Property Registry is now accessible through myPHY311, the city of Phoenix’s online service portal and there is no fee to register. To learn more about the program, we encourage you to visit www.phoenix.gov/nsd/vacantpropertyregistry.

We understand that this information is especially important for those who own and invest in commercial property. By increasing the awareness about new regulations, we can all work together to adapt to the ever-changing real estate industry.

About Clear Title Agency of Arizona
Locally owned and operated, Clear Title Agency of Arizona provides full-service residential and commercial title and escrow services with multiple locations across the Valley and in Flagstaff. The company has been recognized by Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Companies and Phoenix Business Journal’s Best Places to Work numerous times and ranks in the top 1% of all First American agents nationally. For more information, visit www.cleartitleaz.com.