FRESNO (KMJ) — The City of Fresno is continuing to crack down on homes being left abandoned with what it’s calling the ‘Vacant/Blighted Property Register’.
It comes after the historic Renhorn Home was the latest to suffer a complete loss after a fire ripped through the structure.
Fire investigators believe it had been vacant for a while, before the flames attacked it Monday evening.
Fire Chief Kerri Donis says they have a consistent problem with people breaking into abandoned homes.
“We are finding that they are prying back windows, back plyboards, in the back so you can’t really see. They’re getting in there and they’re starting fires or warming fires or cooking fires.
“They want to be warm in the place that they go and find shelter.”
But now the City of Fresno wants all buildings which are set to be empty for more than 30 days to be submitted to be added to the blighted property registry.
“This registry is an important part of the City’s new Vacant, Blighted Property ordinance”, says Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin.
“Maintaining a list of vacant properties allows City staff to immediately reach a property owner if they encounter a problem on their site, and it allows the City to keep a closer eye on properties that are in jeopardy of falling into disrepair and affecting the surrounding neighborhood.”
Officials want owners to sign their buildings up, and provide a street address and a local contact so they can be immediately notified if there’s a problem.
The register is free to sign up to, and a link to it can be found clicking here. The city warns that anyone who owns a blighted home and doesn’t register it could receive a $250 fine.
