RESOLUTION NO. - 2026
BY COUNCIL PRESIDENT COLLINS-BELLAMY, MAJORITY LEADER RUBBO, MAJORITY WHIP ROBINSON, MINORITY LEADER BREEN, COUNCILMEMBERS PINEDA-ISAAC, DIAZ, AND HODGES:
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A RESOLUTION REQUESTING NEW YORK STATE PASS LEGISLATION AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF YONKERS TO IMPOSE A HIGHER TAX RATE ON PROPERTIES THAT ARE VACANT OR ABANDONED
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Whereas, vacant and abandoned properties create significant public safety risks, including fire hazards, vandalism, and illegal occupancy; and
WHEREAS, on January 17, 2026 a four-alarm fire started in a vacant home on School Street in Yonkers and quickly spread to multiple buildings decimating an entire block, underscoring the serious risks such neglected properties pose to surrounding neighborhoods; and
Whereas, The City of Yonkers currently has 167 properties registered with the Department of Housing and Building as vacant or abandoned, representing a measurable and ongoing burden on City services and neighborhood vitality; and
WHEREAS, such properties depress surrounding property values, destabilize neighborhoods, and strain municipal resources, including police, fire, sanitation, and code enforcement services; and
WHEREAS, under current New York State law, the City lacks authority to impose a higher property tax rate on vacant or abandoned properties to account for their disproportionate impact; and
WHEREAS, other jurisdictions around the Country, including Baltimore, Maryland, already tax vacant properties at a rate higher than standard real property taxes to incentivize rehabilitation and productive reuse;
WHEREAS, in New York State, cities including Buffalo, New York are also seeking similar authorization to charge a higher property tax rate on vacant and abandoned properties; and
WHEREAS, the City of Yonkers hereby respectfully calls upon the New York State Legislature to enact legislation authorizing the City of Yonkers to impose a property tax rate of up to three (3) times the standard rate on legally defined vacant or abandoned properties; and
WHEREAS, such enabling legislation should provide the City with local option authority, including the ability to define “vacant” and “abandoned,” establish appropriate due process protections, and administer the program in a fair and transparent manner; and
WHEREAS, authorizing an enhanced tax rate on vacant or abandoned properties would create a meaningful financial incentive for property owners to rehabilitate, occupy, sell, or otherwise return such properties to productive use rather than allowing them to remain vacant; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Yonkers hereby requests that the New York State Legislature authorize the City of Yonkers to impose an enhanced property tax rate on vacant or abandoned properties; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Council requests the City Clerk to forward a copy of this Resolution to the Legislature of the State of New York requesting the introduction and passage of the legislation; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Clerk is hereby directed to forward certified copies of this Home Rule Request Message to the City’s state legislative delegation; and be it further
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, this this resolution take effect immediately.