Saint Paul does not tax vacant homes per se but imposes escalating Vacant Building Registration fees on properties left empty over 30 days, with annual fees reaching thousands of dollars to discourage neglect.
Saint Paul Legislative Code Chapter 43 (Vacant Buildings) requires registration of buildings vacant more than 30 days with the Department of Safety and Inspections. Annual registration fees escalate by category: Category 1 (secured, not blighted) carries lower fees; Category 2 (unsecured or with code violations) brings mid-range fees; Category 3 (condemned, unfit for occupancy) reaches several thousand dollars annually. Owners must maintain exteriors, secure openings, and pay all registration fees plus inspection costs. Fees are enforceable as special assessments against the property if unpaid. The program does not apply to lawfully occupied second homes or actively listed vacancies under marketing.
Failure to register or pay fees results in Category escalation, citations, special-assessment liens, and ultimately demolition orders for derelict structures left long-term unaddressed.
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Saint Paul, MN
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See how Saint Paul's vacancy tax rules stack up against other locations.
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