Mayor Craig A. Moe and the Laurel City Council recognize that there have been an increasing number of residential properties in the City of Laurel that have become vacant due to foreclosure and are now in the control of financial institutions. Code Enforcement Specialists in the Department of the Fire Marshal and Permit Services have found it difficult to identify and notify said financial institutions when various property code violations occur on vacant properties, and as a result, it is difficult to obtain compliance in a timely manner.

In an effort to aid the City in identifying the responsible parties of foreclosed properties and to protect the public health, safety and welfare, Mayor Craig A. Moe and the Laurel City Council have adopted a law- Ordinance No. 1716 which was passed on July 11, 2011 and became effective on the date of its passage. Ordinance No. 1716 requires that written notice be given to the City within five (5) calendar days of an order to docket, or a complaint to foreclose, a mortgage or deed of trust is filed on residential property located within the City limits.

The notice must be provided by the person authorized to make the sale. The notice must include the following information:

1. The street address of the residential property subject to the foreclosure action;
2. The names and addresses, if known, of all owners of the residential property subject to the foreclosure action;
3. The name, address and telephone number of the person authorized to sell the property on behalf of the lender;
4. The name, address, telephone number and email address of the person responsible for maintenance and security of the property on behalf of the lender.

foreclosed-vacant_property_registration_form_2021_form_35.pdf

Please make sure the property is within City limits (zip codes 20707 or 20708) and send all notices to:

Failure to provide the notice required will constitute a municipal infraction and is subject to penalties set forth in Ordinance No. 1716. Further, failure to maintain the property in accordance with all local laws, codes and Ordinances will result in the fines established by the applicable law, code and Ordinance. Each calendar day that a violation continues shall be fined to the limit established by said article.

The Mayor and City Council encourages the public to report vacant properties in their neighborhoods to the Department of the Fire Marshal and Permit Services to help maintain attractive, viable properties in the City of Laurel.