District of Columbia Property Maintenance: Property Blight Rules (2026)

DC's vacant and blighted property regime is among the nation's toughest. Under DC Code 42-3131.05, owners must register any vacant building with the Department of Buildings Vacant Building Unit within 30 days of vacancy. Class 3 (vacant, maintained) property tax rate is 5 percent of assessed value, and Class 4 (vacant and blighted) is 10 percent — versus 0.85 percent for owner-occupied homes. Designation to Class 4 requires findings of blight conditions including broken windows, peeling paint, structural damage, rodent infestation, or graffiti under DCMR 14-108. Owners have 90 days to abate before Class 4 designation takes effect. The Nuisance Abatement Task Force (MPD, OAG, DOB, DC Health, and Fire) coordinates on problem properties and can obtain receivership under DC Code 42-3651.06. DOB inspectors issue notices of violation with 10-30 day cure periods; non-compliance leads to civil fines, municipal abatement billed back to the owner, and tax liens. Grants and exemptions exist for active rehabilitation, substantial renovation, and short-term marketing periods. The Office of the Attorney General pursues major blight cases, including the high-profile reclamation of abandoned row houses through nuisance actions.