What Triggers the Vacant Property Registration in Cleveland?

In 2024, Cleveland City Council passed an ordinance brought by Mayor Justin Bibb’s administration, that overhauled much of the City’s housing policy.

ACAR successfully advocated for several amendments to the ordinance dubbed “Residents First,” and continues to analyze the legality of some of these changes.

We recently followed up with Director Sally Martin O’Toole on one of the most frequently asked questions that ACAR fields. Her response is below.

Q: Please confirm what is considered vacant. Is there a specific timeframe?

A: “The definition in the ordinance of “vacant” is somewhat vague but in our implementation does NOT include those who just vacated a home so that the new buyer can move in. There is some nuance here, but the intention of the ordinance is to deal with truly vacant properties—not temporarily vacant parcels that are in the process of being transferred. This is what we are telling residents and title agencies.

“The exterior inspection requirement applies only to VACANT 1-3 family parcels.

“Here is the definition in the ordinance:

(“a) “Vacant building” or “vacant property” means a building that is not occupied by its owner, lessee or other person in lawful possession, and at which substantially all lawful business operations or substantially all residential occupancy has ceased, or which is substantially devoid of content. As used in this chapter, “vacant” shall have the same meaning as found in division (b) of Section 209.02.”

Questions should be directed to the Department of Housing, Records Administration at (216) 664-2825 or email the team at Bhrental@clevelandohio.gov. More information is available at https://www.clevelandohio.gov/residents/codes-ordinances/residents-first.

Information shared by ACAR:

In addition to numerous meetings and phone calls with many members of Council, ACAR CEO, Mike Valerino, presented testimony at the Development, Planning, and Sustainability Committee meeting on January 30, 2024. You can watch the meeting here. ACAR also submitted a letter, which encapsulates the remarks shared by CEO Valerino, who was joined by REALTORS John Lynch and Dave Sharkey.
Oct 2023 – https://akronclevelandrealtors.com/news/clevelands-proposed-housing-regulations-overhaul/