Mayor Gusciora Signs Vacant Properties Ordinance Into Law

TRENTON, N.J. – Mayor Reed Gusciora on Wednesday signed into law an ordinance amending the Trenton City Code to increase registration fees for vacant properties. The ordinance, which passed the City Council unanimously, goes into effect immediately.

“This ordinance is meant to deter property owners from sitting on vacant homes and refusing to rent or sell them,” said Gusciora. “When a home is vacant, it’s a blight on the surrounding neighborhood and slows down economic development. Since I took office, we’ve issued more than 300 certificates of occupancy, and we are confident this ordinance will continue the trend.”

The fee increases are based on existing fees in surrounding and comparable cities in New Jersey:

• Initial registration is rising from $250 to $500
• 1^st annual renewal is rising from $400 to $1300
  • Camden and Newark are set at $1500
  • Hamilton is set at $1000
  • Ewing is set at $500
• 2^nd annual renewal is rising from $750 to $2000
  • Camden and Newark are set at $3000
  • Hamilton is set at $2000
  • Ewing is set at $1000
• All subsequent renewals are rising from $1000 to $3000
  • Camden, Newark, and Ewing are set at $5000
  • Hamilton is set at $3000

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