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Bill

HB 802

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

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Betsy Carr

Virginia requires vacant building owners to annually register properties with local agents, giving municipalities enforcement tools to address blighted properties and public safety risks.

Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB802ER)
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Bill Summary · HB 802

Legislative bill overview

HB 802 requires owners of vacant buildings in Virginia to register them annually through registered agents and maintain updated information with local authorities. The bill establishes accountability mechanisms for tracking vacant properties and ensuring owners maintain contact information for municipal enforcement purposes.

Why is this important

Vacant buildings create documented public health and safety hazards, including increased crime, fire risk, and neighborhood blight that depresses property values. By mandating registration and annual renewal, municipalities gain tools to identify property owners, enforce maintenance codes, and potentially reduce the estimated $150+ billion in national costs associated with vacant property deterioration.

Potential points of contention

  • Compliance burden on small landlords: Annual registration requirements and registered agent fees may disproportionately impact mom-and-pop property owners versus large institutional investors with administrative resources
  • Definition clarity: The bill's success depends on how "vacant" is defined—unclear thresholds could capture seasonal properties, buildings undergoing renovation, or legitimately held investment properties
  • Privacy and data access: Questions remain about who can access registrant information and whether disclosure creates security risks or facilitates harassment of property owners

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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