Baltimore Cracks Down on Vacant Properties with New Tax Law

Homeowners who purchased rehabilitated houses may face higher taxes if properties still have vacant building notices.

Mar. 10, 2026 at 3:24am

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A new law in Baltimore will increase taxes on vacant properties starting this summer. However, some homeowners who purchased rehabilitated houses may be unaware that their properties could still be considered vacant if there were no permits for the work done or if improvements were made outside the scope of issued permits. The city is cracking down on the issue, leaving some homeowners facing unexpected costs and complications.

Why it matters

The new vacant property tax law is part of Baltimore's efforts to address the city's ongoing problem with abandoned and neglected properties. While the law aims to incentivize property owners to rehabilitate vacant buildings, it has created unintended consequences for some homebuyers who unknowingly purchased properties with outstanding vacant building notices.

The details

Under the new law, property taxes will triple for homes considered vacant, even if someone is currently living there. This is because some homeowners purchased rehabilitated houses that still had vacant building notices due to lack of proper permits or unapproved work. Now, these homeowners are facing significant costs to bring their properties up to code and obtain the necessary permits and inspections. City officials are working to assist families with guidance, but some, like Renay Mitchell, have already encountered major issues like flooding, foundation problems, and even discovering their driveway and garage were built on someone else's property.

  • The new vacant property tax law goes into effect in July 2026.
  • In 2021, Baltimore passed a law requiring sellers to disclose a property's vacant notice status to buyers.

The players

Renay Mitchell

A homeowner who purchased what she believed was a fully rehabilitated home, only to later receive a vacant building notice and discover significant issues with the property.

Odette Ramos

A Baltimore City Councilwoman who has been working on similar problems with vacant properties for nearly six years.

Baltimore Department of Housing and Community Development (BHCD)

The city agency that is assisting families with guidance on needed plans, permits, and inspections for properties with vacant building notices.

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What they’re saying

“This is our forever home. This was our dream home, and it has turned into a nightmare.”

— Renay Mitchell, Homeowner

“There were times when contractors or rehabbers don't apply for permits at all and sell it to somebody with a VPN on it. Or they might apply for a small permit, but nobody checks to see if they are actually doing work in the permit.”

— Odette Ramos, Baltimore City Councilwoman

What’s next

The judge in Renay Mitchell's case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow her to remain in her home despite the outstanding vacant building notice.

The takeaway

The new vacant property tax law in Baltimore highlights the importance for homebuyers to thoroughly research a property's history and permits before purchase, even if the home appears to be fully rehabilitated. The unintended consequences of this law have left some residents facing unexpected costs and complications to bring their homes up to code.