District of Columbia § 42-3171.01 Definitions.

District of Columbia Statutes

§ 42-3171.01 — Definitions.

District of Columbia § 42-3171.01

Title 42Real Property.

Ch. 31CQuick Acquisition of Abandoned and Nuisance Property.

Subch. IAcquisition and Disposal of Abandoned and Deteriorated Properties.

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Bluebook

D.C. Code § 42-3171.01 (2026).

Text

For the purposes of this subchapter the term:

(1)“Abandoned property” means:

(A)A structure:

(i)That is unoccupied by an owner or a tenant; and

(ii)On which the real property tax imposed by § 47-811 has not been paid in 18 months;

(B)A vacant lot on which the real property tax imposed by § 47-811 has not been paid in 18 months;

(C)A structure:

(i)That is unoccupied by an owner or tenant;

(ii)That the Mayor has determined is structurally unsafe; and

(iii)Regarding which the Mayor has issued to the owner a notice requiring that the owner cause the structure to conform with any provision of the fire code, building code, or housing code, or to demolish the structure for safety reasons, and the owner has failed to act in response to the Mayor’s notice

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For the purposes of this subchapter the term:

(1) “Abandoned property” means:

(A) A structure:

(i) That is unoccupied by an owner or a tenant; and

(ii) On which the real property tax imposed by § 47-811 has not been paid in 18 months;

(B) A vacant lot on which the real property tax imposed by § 47-811 has not been paid in 18 months;

(C) A structure:

(i) That is unoccupied by an owner or tenant;

(ii) That the Mayor has determined is structurally unsafe; and

(iii) Regarding which the Mayor has issued to the owner a notice requiring that the owner cause the structure to conform with any provision of the fire code, building code, or housing code, or to demolish the structure for safety reasons, and the owner has failed to act in response to the Mayor’s notice within the period of time established by statute, regulation, or the notice; or

(D) A vacant lot on which a building has been demolished.

(1A) "Blighted area" means an area determined by the Mayor:

(A) To be unsafe or unsanitary;

(B) To have an excessive presence of abandoned properties or vacant buildings, unimproved lots, or substandard structures; or

(C) By reason of deterioration, faulty planning, inadequate or improper facilities, deleterious land use, or the existence of unsafe structures, or any combination of these factors, to be otherwise detrimental to the public health, safety, or welfare.

(2) “Deteriorated property” means real property:

(A) The Mayor has determined constitutes a threat to the public health, safety, or welfare;

(B) The Mayor has determined contributes to the blight or dilapidation of the area immediately surrounding the property; or

(C) As to which, if the real property contains a structure, the Mayor has issued to the owner a notice requiring the owner to conform the structure to any provision of the fire code, building code, or housing code, or to demolish the structure for safety reasons, and the owner has failed to act in response to the Mayor’s notice within the period of time established by statute, regulation, or the notice.

(3) “Owner” means a person who holds legal title to an interest in real property as reflected in the records of the Recorder of Deeds.

(4) “Slum and blight” means one or more parcels of land, whether vacant or improved that are in a blighted area, or exhibit one or more characteristics of a blighted area.

(5) “Tenant” shall have the meaning set forth in § 42-3501.03(36) .

Legislative History

Apr. 27, 2001, D.C. Law 13-281, § 431; as added Apr. 19, 2002, D.C. Law 14-114, § 102, 49 DCR 1468; Oct. 1, 2002, D.C. Law 14-190, § 1002(a), 49 DCR 6968; Oct. 19, 2002, D.C. Law 14-213, § 29(a), 49 DCR 8140; June 8, 2006, D.C. Law 16-119, § 2, 53 DCR 2609; Mar. 25, 2009, D.C. Law 17-353, §§ 115, 182, 56 DCR 1117