Please see the following attachments for the class 3, class 4, and exempt vacant building list.  Each only contains information for vacant buildings, by Ward, as identified by our office this past fiscal year.  The vacant building response form is the last attachment.  If your constituent owns a vacant building they may register the building using that form.  They may also use the form to challenge our vacant determination or request an exemption.

The current vacant numbers are as follows:

Total identified vacant buildings:  2,451

• Exempt:  972
• Class 3:  1,148
• Class 4:  421

Please note, this information changes on a daily basis.  A property that was designated vacant last week may be occupied today.  Some vacant buildings are classed a certain way because they are under appeal, and some have yet to make the list although they seem to be clearly vacant.

If you have any questions about how we produce the list and how often, or questions about the vacant process, or if you or your constituent see something on our list inconsistent about a particular address , please have them contact us at vacantbuildings@dc.gov.   We work very closely with the Office of Tax and Revenue to make corrections where appropriate.  They can also call us at 202.442.4332 but it is best to send an email as we receive many telephone requests during tax time.  But we respond to email regularly, and very quickly.

Thank you,

Reuben Pemberton

Program Manager

Vacant Building Enforcement

COMMON CAUSES FOR BUILDINGS BEING MISCLASSIFIED AS VACANT:

·         The building was recently inspected following a complaint and determined to be vacant, but there was no response from the owner to our notifications.

• The building was recently purchased, but was classified as vacant or blighted last year.
• The owner very recently filed paperwork with DCRA for an occupied or exempt status and it has not yet been recorded with the Office of Tax and Revenue.
• The property was recently in foreclosure proceedings and was registered as vacant by a mortgage company.

PROCESS FOR PROPERTY OWNERS:

Customers should fill out the attached Response Form and return it to the Vacant Building Enforcement unit.  For faster service, they can e-mail vacantbuildings@dc.gov  and attach the form and supporting documents.  They can also mail it to the address at the top of the form.  They MUST INCLUDE ALL OF THE SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION LISTED ON THE FORM.

• If the building is occupied, they should check the appropriate box and supply a recent water bill.  
• If the building is vacant but the owner is claiming one of the five exemptions, they should check the appropriate box and supply the paperwork listed next to it.  

NEXT STEPS:

The Vacant Building Enforcement unit will process the paperwork within 72 hours and make a classification determination.

If the building is proven to be occupied or the exemption request is granted, we will issue the owner a letter notifying them of the decision and immediately inform the Office of Tax and Revenue so that the property tax rate will be reclassified.  

If you or your constituents have questions or require further assistance, please feel free to e-mail us at vacantbuildings@dc.gov, call our office at 202-442-4332, or visit us in person at 1100 4th Street SW, 5th Floor (Waterfront Metro).

Additional information on vacant building registration is available on our website:

Report a Vacant Building