Troy, NY Local Taxes & Fees: Vacancy Tax (2026)

Troy City Code § 141-20 sets the vacant building charges in the City of Troy, and the code calls them fees. Section 141-20A says the fee shall be reasonably related to the administrative costs of registering and processing the vacant building owner registration form and the City's costs of monitoring the site. The Troy City Council last amended the section on 12-1-2025 by Ord. No. 62.

The owner of a vacant building files a plan explaining how the building will be maintained and brought out of vacancy and pays the initial fee of $750. Both are due no later than 30 days after the building becomes vacant. A building counts as vacant under § 141-19 when, among other triggers, it has been unoccupied for a period of time over three months.

The annual fees under Subsection G are due each January 1 the building stays vacant: $1,500 for the first year, $2,500 for the second, $4,000 for the third, $5,000 for the fourth, and $6,000 for the fifth and each succeeding year. Buildings of 5,000 square feet or greater pay double the fee.

An owner who fails to file a plan on time, or fails to follow the plan, can be assessed an additional fee of no more than $1,000 after notice and an administrative hearing. The fee must be paid in full before any building permit issues, except a demolition permit.

Subsection H offers a waiver for owners who stay in compliance, keep the City of Troy as an additional named insured and alternate payee, and submit a written work plan with quarterly reports, or who list the property for sale at a price not to exceed 135% of the full value assessment. Applications are due by October 1 of the year before the waiver takes effect, and a waiver lasts no longer than one year. The scheduled fee increases stay in place. Subsection I adds unpaid fees to the annual City tax levy for the affected property, so the charge reaches the owner's tax bill.