Baltimore City Councilwoman Odette Ramos is continuing her push to develop Baltimore’s vacant properties, as she introduced a bill Monday that would tax lots falling into disrepair.
Ramos was the lead sponsor Monday on Bill 25-0088, which would add a “vacant property tax” to vacant lots in the city. The bill builds upon legislation the council adopted last year to tax the structures on vacant lots but not the lots themselves, as the Maryland General Assembly did not pass legislation giving Baltimore the jurisdiction to do so until this year.
Under the 2024 bill, vacant structures were taxed at three times their current property tax rate for the first year and four times that rate for every year afterward. Ramos’ 2025 bill sets the rate for vacant lots at a flat four times what would be paid if the property was occupied and ensures taxes are not levied until proper notice is provided in July 2026.
According to Ramos, this legislation completes the 2024 bill by also removing a “sunset provision” so taxes can permanently be levied on vacant lots. She said the city is “not gonna make any money off of this,” framing her bill as a necessary step to incentivize development.
“We’re not using this as a revenue generator,” Ramos said. “Ultimately, the reason for a vacant property and vacant lot tax is to incentivize the owner to do something with the property, such as rehab the vacant building or build on the lot.”
Besides Ramos, Bill 25-0088 is sponsored by Council Vice President Sharon Green Middleton, as well as members James Torrence, Paris Gray, John Bullock, and Zac Blanchard. Council President Zeke Cohen referred the bill to the Housing & Economic Development Committee.
The new legislation follows the bill Ramos introduced on July 21 to allow Baltimore to foreclose on vacant properties when its unpaid liens fall below the property’s value. Ramos’ office estimates this bill could lead to the acquisition of 65% of “privately-owned vacant and abandoned properties” across the city.
This bill also remains in the Housing & Economic Development Committee.
Sports hearing
Blanchard, who coaches football at Digital Harbor High School, is calling for Baltimore leaders to come together and discuss sports programs for middle school students in the city.
“It’s almost cliche to talk about the incredible value that sports have for young people,” Blanchard said Monday. “It keeps kids in schools, it keeps their grades up, it gives them something to aspire to, it gives them role models, it gives them just something to be excited about every day.”
According to city documents, a hearing would feature members of Mayor Brandon Scott’s administration, Baltimore City Public Schools, the Department of Recreation and Parks, and the Baltimore Children and Youth Fund. These groups would “recap” the availability of middle school sports programming being administered by the schools and affiliated city agencies over the last three years, as well as provide a projection for future opportunities in the next three years.
Blanchard told The Baltimore Sun that, while there is no set date for the hearing, it will likely be held between the city’s fall and winter sports seasons — in late October or early November — at Thomas Johnson Elementary Middle School.
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