Potsdam board approves revised vacant-property law

The Potsdam Village Board approved amendments to the village’s vacant-property law on Oct. 5 after a public hearing. The revised measure corrects the organization and numbering of Chapter 164 of the Village of Potsdam Municipal Code and will take effect after it is filed with the New York secretary of state.

The law creates a villagewide vacant-property registry and allows fees and penalties for properties that remain vacant. Owners generally must register a property within 60 days after it is determined to be vacant. Fees can reach $100 per day for late registration, while properties vacant for 12 months can face an annual fee of $1,000, with later annual fees doubling. Exemptions are available in some circumstances, including efforts to sell, rent or rehabilitate a property, or ongoing legal proceedings.