Vacant Storefront Ordinance

In April 2023, City Council adopted a vacant storefront ordinance to incentivize the re-use of vacant storefronts in the Downtown Business District.  This ordinance will take effect as of July 1, 2023.  

Vacant Storefront Ordinance Findings and Purpose:
Whereas the city council has found that among other things, vacant commercial and industrial properties can degrade the vitality of Easthampton’s business districts, frustrate local planning and development efforts, create increased specific risks of fire damage, vandalism and unlawful entry or uses, and give rise to other public health and safety hazards. This ordinance is intended to promote the City’s public welfare and economic health by requiring all property owners to register and properly maintain vacant commercial and industrial properties. 

Whereas the purpose of this ordinance is to protect the health, safety welfare and economic vitality of the City of Easthampton by protecting property values, maintaining neighborhood integrity, accessibility, safeguarding against property blight, protecting City resources and ensuring the safe and sanitary maintenance of commercial and industrial vacant properties in the downtown business district. 

The monies raised by the fees set forth in this ordinance will be used to provide an online registry of vacant properties in Easthampton which shall be maintained and updated by the Planning Department in coordination with the Building Department to reflect current vacancies. The enforcement of the provisions set forth herein will be implemented by the Building Department. 

Requirements:

If you own a storefront in the Downtown Business District that is vacant, you must Register the Vacant Storefront within 90 days from the effective date of July 1, 2023.  At the time of Registration, a $500 filing fee is required.

View the full Vacant Storefront Ordinance

View the Vacant Storefront Registration Form