VirginiaHB8022026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Vacant buildings; registration by registered agents, etc., annually.

Sponsored By: Betsy B. Carr (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

Vacant building registration; registered agents. Permits any locality to require, by ordinance, the owner, or his registered agent, of any building that has been continuously vacant for at least three years to register such building with the locality annually. The bill also allows the registered agent of an owner of any building that has been vacant for at least 12 months and (i) that meets the definition of "derelict building" in relevant law, (ii) that meets the definition of "criminal blight" in relevant law, or (iii) in which a locality has determined a person is living without the authority of the owner to file the registration forms required to be filed by the owner under current law. Finally, the bill provides that the registration forms shall include a requirement to provide the name and contact information for an owner required to register, or his registered agent.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

Owners must register long vacant buildings

If your locality adopts an ordinance, owners or their registered agents must register certain vacant buildings each year. This covers buildings vacant 12 months that are derelict, meet criminal blight, or have someone living there without the owner’s authority. It also covers any building vacant for 3 years or more. You must use the local form and list the owner or agent’s name and phone number. The locality can charge up to $100 per property per year.

Fines and notice for not registering

If you fail to register a required building, the civil penalty is $200. In a conservation and rehabilitation district or a blighted area, the penalty can be up to $400. The locality must mail a notice to the address used for property tax bills at least 30 days before assessing a penalty.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Betsy B. Carr

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 174 • No: 48

Senate vote 3/4/2026

Passed Senate

Yes: 22 • No: 18

Senate vote 3/3/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/3/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/2/2026

Reported from Local Government

Yes: 9 • No: 6

House vote 2/5/2026

Read third time and passed House

Yes: 76 • No: 22

House vote 1/30/2026

Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns

Yes: 19 • No: 2

House vote 1/29/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting

Yes: 8 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0427)

    4/8/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 427 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/8/2026Governor
  3. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

    3/14/2026Governor
  4. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 14, 2026

    3/14/2026House
  5. Signed by Speaker

    3/12/2026House
  6. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB802ER)

    3/11/2026House
  7. Enrolled

    3/11/2026House
  8. Signed by President

    3/11/2026Senate
  9. Passed Senate (22-Y 18-N 0-A)

    3/4/2026Senate
  10. Read third time

    3/4/2026Senate
  11. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    3/3/2026Senate
  12. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/3/2026Senate
  13. Rules suspended

    3/3/2026Senate
  14. Reported from Local Government (9-Y 6-N)

    3/2/2026Senate
  15. Referred to Committee on Local Government

    2/6/2026Senate
  16. Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

    2/6/2026Senate
  17. Read third time and passed House (76-Y 22-N 0-A)

    2/5/2026House
  18. Read second time and engrossed

    2/4/2026House
  19. Read first time

    2/3/2026House
  20. Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns (19-Y 2-N)

    1/30/2026House
  21. Subcommittee recommends reporting (8-Y 0-N)

    1/29/2026House
  22. Assigned HCCT sub: Subcommittee #2

    1/28/2026House
  23. Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns

    1/13/2026House
  24. Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26103065D

    1/13/2026House

Bill Text

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