Asheville proposes ordinance targeting repeat abandoned commercial properties creating hazards

City officials met with business owners on Jan. 22 to explain a proposed ordinance aimed at addressing long neglected abandoned commercial properties that create public safety hazards. Officials said the draft targets a small number of repeat problem properties rather than responsible owners and aims to close a regulatory gap that leaves some dangerous sites unchecked.

The proposal cites state law that allows local governments to regulate abandoned nonresidential structures when they pose health or safety risks. The city identified specific concerns such as infestations, fire risk, squatting, and dangerous conditions that could threaten children. Examples cited by staff included properties on Tunnel Road and Merrimon Avenue, corridors where blight and neglect have raised alarms among merchants and neighbors.

Under the draft ordinance, owners of identified properties would receive formal notice and a period to remedy the conditions. The process would include access to hearings and appeals before enforcement escalates. If owners fail to act, the ordinance would authorize fines of up to $100 per day, capped at $5,000. Demolition is described as a last-resort option that would require full City Council approval before the city could proceed.

City staff told attendees that the ordinance is designed to address sites that may not technically violate building codes but nonetheless endanger neighborhoods and hamper economic activity. Staff also acknowledged that implementation will carry costs and that staffing needs are still under evaluation, signaling that budgeting and practical enforcement logistics remain to be worked out.

The proposal was scheduled for review by the City Council's Public Safety Committee on Jan. 29. If the committee advances the draft, the measure would move to the full council for consideration, including any adjustments and budgetary commitments needed to enforce the new rules.

For residents and business owners, the ordinance could mean swifter action on properties that attract illegal activity or become safety hazards, particularly along commercial stretches such as Tunnel Road and Merrimon Avenue. Property owners who keep buildings in repair should expect the city to emphasize that the measure is directed at repeat offenders rather than compliant landlords.

Next steps will be closely watched by neighborhood groups and merchants who have long pushed for stronger tools to address blight. The committee review on Jan. 29 will determine whether the council has the will to adopt enforcement mechanisms and allocate the staff and funds necessary to carry them out, potentially changing how Asheville manages abandoned commercial sites in years to come.