What is Blight?

Blighted property shall include: 

• Any premises which because of physical condition, use or occupancy is considered an attractive nuisance to children, including but not limited to abandoned wells, shafts, basements, excavations, and unsafe fences or structures.
• Any dwelling which because it is dilapidated, unsanitary, unsafe, vermin-infested or lacking in the facilities and equipment required by the housing code of the municipality, has been designated by the department responsible for enforcement of the code as unfit for human habitation.
• Any structure which is a fire hazard, or is otherwise dangerous to the safety of persons or property.
• Any structure from which the utilities, plumbing, heating, sewerage or other facilities have been disconnected, destroyed, removed, or rendered ineffective so that the property is unfit for its intended use.
• Any vacant or unimproved lot or parcel of ground in a predominantly built-up-neighborhood, which by reason of neglect or lack of maintenance has become a place for accumulation of trash and debris, or a haven for rodents or other vermin.
• Any unoccupied property which has been tax delinquent for a period of two years prior to the effective date of this act, and those in the future having a two year tax delinquency.
• Any property which is vacant but not tax delinquent, which has not been rehabilitated within one year of the receipt of notice to rehabilitate from the appropriate code enforcement agency.
• Any abandoned property. A property shall be considered abandoned if:
  • it is a vacant or unimproved lot or parcel of ground on which a municipal lien for the cost of demolition of any structure located on the property remains unpaid for a period of six months;
  • it is a vacant property or vacant or unimproved lot or parcel of ground on which the total of municipal liens on the property for tax or any other type of claim of the municipality are in excess of 150% of the fair market value of the property as established by the Board of Revisions of Taxes or other body with legal authority to determine the taxable value of the property; or
• The property has been declared abandoned by the owner, including an estate that is in possession of the property.

Fight Blight Tool Kit

Code Enforcement – Lebanon’s Code Enforcement officers work hand in hand with a broad array of complementary public and private improvements, investments, and services, to prevent the deterioration of Lebanon’s aging housing stock; enhance quality of life; arrest blight and eliminate deteriorating conditions; stimulate revitalization, strengthen property values, and facilitate safer, more sanitary dwelling units.

Land Bank – The mission of the City of Lebanon Land Bank is to promote local and regional growth and improvement by returning vacant, blighted, and/or tax delinquent properties to the mainstream real estate market in a manner consistent with municipal and county policies and with the downtown and neighborhood reinvestment strategies.

Homeowner Rehabilitation Program – The City of Lebanon Housing Rehabilitation Program provides financial assistance through grants and loans to qualified low-moderate income homeowners to complete basic home repairs. The goal of the program is to preserve the housing supply in Lebanon City.