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SITE NAVIGATION

Code Compliance Programs

Vacant Lot Program

Code Compliance Programs

Vacant Lot Program

About the Vacant Lot Program (VLP)

The VLP was established to prevent blight and assist with city-wide compliance of vacant lots with public health and safety standards and proper maintenance. The intent of the program is to prevent blight associated with undeveloped vacant lots that include illegal dumping, illegal camping, overgrowth of vegetation and potential fire hazards.

Requirements of the VLP

Register their vacant undeveloped property annually with the City of Sacramento
Pay an annual program fee of $70
Designate a local contact representative with full authority to act on behalf of the owner if the owner resides beyond 35 miles from Sacramento city hall
Defining nuisance vacant properties, requiring posted signage for nuisance lots and establishing monitoring fees
Waiver of the annual VLP fee pursuant to Sacramento City Code 8.136.080

Registration of vacant lots

Anyone that owns a vacant lot is required to register their property annually and pay a $70.00 program fee per parcel. Registration information is used to confirm ownership and collect local contact information when an owner resides more than 35 miles from Sacramento city hall.

The City of Sacramento notifies owners of vacant lots by way of mail annually to remind them of the registration requirement. Please note, that although we make every effort to notify all property owners annually, it is the responsibility of the owner to ensure their property is in compliance all city code requirements to avoid administrative citations and penalties.

Seeking to register your vacant lot? Please check out the Code Compliance Portal.

For more detailed instructions and information visit the Vacant Lot Registration Instructions and Information page.

If for any reason you are unable to register your vacant lot online, please call (916) 808-7902 to request assistance.

Program fee

The VLP fee must accompany the registration of a vacant lot. The program fee is $70.00 per parcel and must be paid every year.

Wavier of the program fee

Please visit the Vacant Lot Waiver web page for more information and if a vacant lot fits the criteria for a waiver.

Nuisance vacant lot

The Sacramento City Code defines a vacant lot as, “A vacant lot with two or more administrative orders including but not limited to administrative penalties and orders to abate imposed in the prior 24 months is considered a Nuisance Vacant Lot and subject to additional requirements and fees.”

A nuisance vacant lot will remain designated as such until a community garden is installed upon the property or permitted construction of a residence/commercial building is completed upon the property or the property has remained nuisance-free for a period of 24 or more consecutive months.

Please note: Administrative penalties issued as part of the Weed Abatement Program for violations of the Sacramento City and Fire Code are counted towards to the two or more administrative orders.

What happens when a lot is deemed a "nuisance vacant lot"?

The owner of the property is subject to monthly monitoring fees and must complete the following:

The owner shall post a sign of a minimum size of 4 x 4 feet on the property with the local contact representative or the property owner’s phone number. The sign shall have lettering of not less than 6 inches high and must be clearly visible from the public right-of-way.

Program fees

Annual Program Fee: $70 per parcel

Nuisance Monitoring Fee: $330 per inspection (may be subject to administrative citations in addition to the monitoring fee)

Administrative Citations: $100-$25,000

Additional information & forms

Vacant Lot Program FAQs
Waiver Application of Program Fee
Appeal Form (Monitoring Fee and Penalties)

Contact us for more information

Phone: 916-808-7902

Fax: 916-885-1437

E-mail: vacantlots@cityofsacramento.org

VLP Registration Instructions

Waiver of the VLP Program Fee

ON THIS PAGE

Vacant Lot Program

About the Vacant Lot Program (VLP)

Requirements of the VLP

Registration of vacant lots

Program fee

Wavier of the program fee

Nuisance vacant lot

What happens when a lot is deemed a "nuisance vacant lot"?

Program fees

Additional information & forms

Contact us for more information

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