November ballot proposal would remove cap on fines for vacant properties in St. Louis City
ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - A proposal on the November ballot would remove a decades-old cap on city fines for property violations, and allow the Board of Aldermen to set new penalties.
Alderwoman Daniela Velazquez, the sponsor of the bill, said its intent to allow the city to pass legislation that would hold negligent property owners accountable, especially corporate entities with large swaths of decaying houses in St. Louis neighborhoods.
“The board would still have to still have to create a different fine and fee schedule but we wouldn’t be able to do that until we amend the charter,” she explained.
The current cap of $500 was implemented in the 1970s. Velazquez, along with many local advocates, have pointed out that many owners will simply allow fines to stack up over time, rather than make costly repairs.
https://www.firstalert4.com/2024/08/28/november-ballot-proposal-would-remove-cap-fines-vacant-properties-st-louis-city/