Los Angeles’ Venice neighborhood is considering a proposal to charge a vacancy fee on residential and commercial properties left unused for more than six months a year. The move is aimed at bringing empty properties back into circulation as housing and storefronts, while also generating money for local needs.
The Venice Neighborhood Council’s homelessness committee approved a motion asking the city to review whether such a fee would be legally and practically workable. Because the council cannot create a new tax on its own, the proposal would need review by the Los Angeles City Council’s 11th District office, the city housing department and the city attorney.
Supporters say the fee could help ease the housing shortage by pushing vacant homes into the rental or sales market and help revive street-level business activity in a neighborhood where long-empty storefronts can hurt foot traffic and nearby small businesses. Any revenue raised would be directed toward rent help for low-income Venice residents, temporary housing and homelessness programs.
The proposal follows similar efforts in other cities, but questions remain over exemptions for properties under repair, being remodeled, or otherwise vacant for legitimate reasons. Those details would need to be worked out if the city moves forward with a formal review.
