Mayor Dickens Administration Announces Legislation to Strengthen Blight Law Legislation Expands Legal Toolkit Against Blight

Mayor Dickens Administration Announces Legislation to Strengthen Blight Law Legislation Expands Legal Toolkit Against Blight

ATLANTA-Mayor Andre Dickens announced legislation that further expands the power to fight blighted properties that undermine the Administration's Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative goals across Atlanta. Sponsored by Councilmember Byron D. Amos, the legislation strengthens the community redevelopment ad valorem tax, commonly known as the "blight tax."

The blight tax is a powerful tool that increases ad valorem taxes on properties that meet the state criteria for blighted conditions pursuant to O.C.G.A. 22-1-1. In 2024, Atlanta City Council passed Ordinance 24-O-1370 authorizing the increased tax on blighted property, and multiple City departments subsequently coordinated to develop an implementation plan, nominate the City Solicitor as the Public Officer, and formulate recommendations to implement the tool, culminating in the introduction of the legislation.

"Neglected properties drain the vitality from our neighborhoods. For too long, absentee speculators have let properties deteriorate while our residents suffer the consequences," saidMayor Dickens. "This legislation sends a clear message: if you own property in Atlanta, you have a responsibility to maintain it. We will use every tool at our disposal to hold negligent property owners accountable and revitalize communities that have experienced decades of disinvestment."

Blighted properties create a cascade of negative effects throughout neighborhoods by lowering property values and marketability for surrounding homes, attracting criminal activity, diminishing quality of life for nearby residents, and increasing the burden on city services.

"Many residents of our city have had to live with blight in their neighborhoods for far too long," saidCouncilmember Byron D. Amos, who represents District 3. "Let this legislation be a message to delinquent property owners throughout the City that their behavior will no longer be tolerated."

The blight tax, which applies only to vacant property, is an important tool alongside the City's judicial in rem and nuisance prosecution powers, as well as condemnation and code enforcement citations and cases. Property owners whose parcels are designated as blighted by the Public Officer will see their City property taxes increased by 25x under the law. Owners have a limited period of time once notified of blighted conditions to remedy the blight to prevent the increase in tax burden.

"The City will strategically deploy the blight tax and all other remedies available to hold delinquent property owners responsible for blighted conditions on their properties," saidCity Solicitor Raines Carter, the Public Officer whose office prosecutes blight. "We are eager to continue addressing the most egregious cases of property neglect in our communities. I encourage residents to contact 311 to report instances of blight to Code Enforcement, which is a prerequisite for the City and our office to take action."

The City will monitor outcomes from the first year of the program to refine its approach and anticipates expanding enforcement efforts to additional properties and neighborhoods. Residents are encouraged to call 311 to report instances of blighted property to Code Enforcement.

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