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Bend, OR Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Registration deadline
10 calendar days after vacate order posted
Quarterly derelict structure fee
$250.00 or higher Council-set amount
Late payment penalty
$100.00 if over 30 days overdue
Demolition cost surcharge
20 percent administrative overhead added to lien
Enforcing office
City Manager / Community Development, Bend Municipal Court

Summary

The City of Bend prohibits occupancy of any structure that is boarded, partially constructed and abandoned, unfit for human habitation, or an imminent hazard under Bend Code Chapter 13.20. The City Manager can order the structure vacated, require registration of a vacant derelict structure, and ask Municipal Court to authorize demolition when an owner fails to correct the violation.

11. Unfit for Human Habitation. A structure is unfit for human habitation whenever the City Manager finds that such structure is in disrepair, lacks maintenance, is unsanitary, is pest infested, contains filth and contamination, or lacks ventilation, illumination, sanitation or heating facilities to the extent that habitation would be injurious to the health and safety of the occupants. ... 13.20.010 Derelict Structures Prohibited. No structure shall be occupied if it is: A. A boarded building; B. Partially constructed and abandoned; C. Unfit for human habitation; or D. An imminent hazard.

Full Breakdown

20 Derelict Structures gives Community Development authority to act against buildings that fall into disrepair. 005 defines a structure as "unfit for human habitation" when the City Manager finds it in disrepair, lacking maintenance, unsanitary, pest infested, contaminated with filth, or missing ventilation, illumination, sanitation or heating to the point habitation would injure occupants' health and safety. 010 bars occupancy of any structure that is a boarded building, partially constructed and abandoned, unfit for human habitation, or an imminent hazard. 035, submitting a maintenance and re-occupancy or demolition plan.

00 penalty on any payment more than 30 days late; unpaid fees after 90 days can be pursued in Municipal Court and recorded as a lien. An owner who never registers can be billed a full year of fees retroactively. 045 only if delinquent amounts are paid, a repair or demolition timetable is approved, permits are obtained, and the owner authorizes enforcement of trespass and camping laws against the property. 055 and assess the cost, plus a 20 percent administrative charge, as a lien against the property.

Violations & Fines

Occupying a boarded, unfit, or abandoned structure after a City Manager vacate order violates BC 13.20.020. Owners who fail to register a vacated derelict structure within 10 days, or who fall more than 30 days behind on the $250.00 quarterly fee, face a $100.00 late penalty, Municipal Court collection action, and a lien on the property; the Municipal Court can also authorize the City to demolish the structure and bill the cost plus 20 percent overhead as a lien.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes a building a 'derelict structure' in Bend?
Under BC 13.20.005 and 13.20.010, a structure is derelict if it is a boarded building, partially constructed and abandoned, an imminent hazard, or unfit for human habitation because the City Manager finds it in disrepair, unsanitary, pest infested, or lacking working ventilation, sanitation or heating. Any of these conditions bars lawful occupancy of the building in the City of Bend.
How much does it cost to keep a vacant derelict structure registered?
BC 13.20.040 sets a nonrefundable quarterly registration fee of $250.00, or a higher amount set by Council resolution, due with the registration form. A payment more than 30 days late adds a $100.00 penalty, and the City can sue in Municipal Court to collect fees unpaid after 90 days, filing the judgment as a lien against the property.
Can the City demolish a derelict building in Bend?
Yes. Under BC 13.20.050 the City Manager can ask the Municipal Court for authority to demolish a derelict structure, and the court weighs dilapidation, structural defects, fire hazards and unlawful activity history. If the owner does not start demolition within 30 days of an order, BC 13.20.055 lets the City demolish it and bill the cost plus 20 percent overhead as a lien.

Sources & Official References

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