11/18/2025
Vacancy policy is one of my favorite rabbit holes. I can lose an entire afternoon reading about building registries, international strategies, and design standards. But the truth is, none of that matters without politics. Good policy goes nowhere if you can’t get it passed, so here’s a straightforward guide to turning frustration about vacant property into an actual campaign.
Every city struggles with vacancy. It’s ugly, costly, demoralizing, and creates a long list of social, fiscal, and safety problems. You already know it’s hurting your community, and I promise you’re not the only one who sees it. Your first step is finding the others. Talk with downtown business owners, responsible property owners, and people who live near the problem. These folks deal with vacancy every day, and they’re desperate for someone to lead. If you can find ten people willing to meet, congratulations, you’ve got your vacancy army.
Don’t let meetings bog you down. This isn’t a committee; it’s a campaign. Start with a simple gathering where you lay out the cost of vacancy from every angle — financial, emotional, civic, and aesthetic. When people understand the scale of harm, they’re ready to fight for a solution. From there, build your strategy. Pull data. Use Place Economics’ numbers. Look at how empty buildings drain your tax base, depress property values, increase crime, and hurt civic self-esteem. Turn those numbers into graphics, posts, letters to the editor, and conversations with everyone you know. The face-to-face conversations are the secret weapon. A barbecue can do more than a brochure.
Once awareness grows, bring in key players. Responsible downtown property owners are powerful allies, they can look council in the eye and say, “I take care of my building, and I’m being penalized for it.” Fire departments are another overlooked partner; vacant buildings put firefighters at enormous risk, and council listens when safety is on the line. Then find your champion on council, the person who can carry the legislation. Take them to coffee, make the case, and help them see the win.
From there, select your policy tool. You can strengthen code enforcement, establish a minimum maintenance ordinance, or pursue a land value tax. My favorite, and the most effective, is a vacant property registry, annual registration, escalating fees, compliance inspections, and real accountability for owners who sit on empty buildings. Some people won’t act until it costs them money, and a registry makes sure vacancy finally has a price.
When your council champion brings the legislation forward, your job isn’t done. Show up. Bring your army. Fill the room. Demonstrate overwhelming support. Forty people in council chambers changes the temperature immediately and sends a message no elected official can ignore.
We have a habit of looking at problems and saying, “Someone should do something.” Flip that question: “What can I do?” One person can start a campaign, gather a coalition, and push real policy through. You’re not alone, and your community has more allies than you think. Want change? You can make it. All it takes is someone willing to start.
