Jackson, MS Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)

City Code § 26-532(a) requires the owner of any vacant building to request an inspection from the community improvement division within 30 days of the building becoming vacant, confirming it is properly secured, and to file a registration statement with the City of Jackson Community Improvement Division of the Jackson Police Department. The statement is valid for one year and must be renewed annually as long as the building stays vacant. Fees scale with portfolio size and years of vacancy: an owner of one or two vacant buildings pays $50.00 per building the first year plus $20.00 per building each additional year; three-to-five buildings pay $50.00 plus $30.00; five-to-ten buildings pay $50.00 plus $40.00; and ten or more buildings pay $50.00 plus $50.00 for each additional year, per § 26-532(a).

Under § 26-534, within 30 days of vacancy the owner must post a sign on the building with the owner's and authorized agent's name, address, and phone number, legible from the nearest public street or sidewalk; keep the building secure and closed; and carry liability insurance of at least $100,000.00 for residential buildings or $500,000.00 for other buildings, covering damage from any physical condition of the property. Section 26-533 requires notifying the community improvement division within 20 days of any change to the registration information, including a new authorized agent designated to receive code-violation notices and legal process on the owner's behalf. 'Vacant' is defined in § 26-531 by a case-by-case test weighing whether the structure has utilities connected, is furnished, is used with regularity by the owner or someone with permission, and whether deficiencies have gone uncorrected for an unreasonable time.