This week, the Martinez City Council approved a $1,075 per vacant property “Vacant to Vibrant” annual registration fee that will be effective on July 1, 2026.
The city says through fair and consistent enforcement of local codes, the program helps protect property values, ensure public safety, and preserve the character of our neighborhoods. The City Council has received consistent public feedback regarding ongoing code violations, property nuisances, long-term vacant commercial buildings, and fire-damaged properties. In response, the City Council directed staff to engage property owners on the matter and to present improved tools and procedures to enhance enforcement effectiveness.
Under MMC Chapter 8.38 (Vacant Commercial Structures), a commercial structure that shows evidence of vacancy and is not “ready for occupancy” must be registered with the City–the $1,075 fee. A confirmed vacant commercial structure requires the property owner to register the property in the Vacant Commercial Structure Registry within the timeframes established by the Code.
Properties listed on the Registry are subject to an annual registration fee adopted by resolution of the City Council. The fee is intended to recover the City’s reasonable costs to administer and enforce the program, including staff time for processing registrations, conducting inspections and re-inspections, and monitoring compliance.
Flat Administrative Fee Comparison
- $2,900 – Alameda
- $2,550 – Hayward
- $1,850 – San Francisco
- $1,075 – Martinez
- $1,040 – Santa Rosa
- $520 – Vallejo
- $239 – Richmond
- $168 – Benicia
Staff estimates each registered property requires an average of approximately 5.5 hours of staff time annually, including a minimum 2.5-hour field inspection and approximately three hours of administrative work related to intake, recordkeeping, coordination, monitoring, notice preparation, and ongoing compliance tracking. Using the City’s fully burdened hourly rate of $195 per hour in accordance with the adopted User Fee Schedule, the total cost to the City is approximately $1,075 per property per year. Staff recommends re-inspections be consistent with current hourly rate of $195 per hour, effective July 1, 2026. The proposed fee reflects within the moderate range in comparison to other jurisdictions.
On Wednesday, Councilmember Satinder Malhi asked one of the issues is building owners not communicating back to staff, so what happens if they still don’t want to communicate back with staff.
Staff explained first its getting them signed up and then following the process.
Malhi shared he had concerns if it was a drawn out and lengthy process and instead it’s a powerful message and it was no longer status quo while making sure staff had all the tools available for enforcement.
“My hope with this, is that it is getting peoples attention,” stated Malhi. “I don’t want them to think I can just ignore it, so what, I get a $500 fine, a $1,000 fine. I’ve got a dozen properties in my portfolio, that is jump change, I am going to keep ignoring you Martinez like I always have. I want to grab their attention.”
Staff said the goal was to get these vacant buildings leased and help create more vibrancy in the city and in the downtown. Staff also noted they are starting to see more movement downtown with leases and build outs.
Mayor Brianne Zorn confirmed the pilot will occur first downtown, but would be extended citywide and other districts also had concerns with commercial vacancies – staff confirmed it would be citywide and complaints would be prioritized after the downtown pilot program was up and running.
Councilmember Debbie McKillop asked if there was an opportunity to prorate, for example, if they entered the program, but two months later rented out the property, would they get a return.
Staff said there was no intention for prorating, but would work with a property owner on a case-by-case basis if a property was close to be rented out or under renovation – 90-days to demonstrate.
McKillop added she had been an advocate for something like this for nearly a decade.
The council voted 5-0 to adopt the vacant to vibrate registration fee.
Implementation:
Beginning July 1, 2026, the phased approach will begin in the downtown area. The pilot will include identifying potentially vacant commercial properties and confirming whether they appear to meet the program criteria.
Where properties appear to qualify, property owners will receive a courtesy letter requesting confirmation of vacancy status and providing an opportunity to demonstrate compliance. If a property does not meet compliance standards, the property owner will be required to be placed on the Vacant Commercial Structure Registry and pay the annual registration fee. Additionally, Code Enforcement Division staff will prioritize vacant commercial properties outside of the downtown during the pilot phase if and when formal code enforcement complaints are received.
The City intends to work collaboratively with property owners early in the process to achieve compliance and facilitate activation of tenant spaces before formal registration is required. The program is designed to provide structure and accountability while prioritizing communication, assistance, and solutions that help return vacant spaces to productive use.
Launching the program as a pilot in the downtown core — the area identified as a priority for economic vibrancy — will allow the City to refine administrative procedures, address any implementation challenges, and streamline the process prior to a broader application.
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