Nuisance Abatement and Demolition Lien Reduction

Liens

Overview

The City of Jacksonville is committed to reducing neighborhood blight and encouraging property rehabilitation. While recouping taxpayer dollars spent on nuisance abatement is important, it is secondary to property improvements which benefit the neighborhood. Outstanding liens can often impede those improvements. Therefore, this policy provides a mechanism for owners to reduce or eliminate these liens in exchange for bringing properties into compliance and making capital investments.

Relief Tiers

There are two levels of potential lien reduction based on the owner's level of investment:

• Tier 1: Interest Reduction
  • Focus: Restored and approved compliance without capital improvements.
  • Benefit: Reduction of accrued interest only.
  • Goal: Encourages owners to bring properties into full compliance while recouping actual city expenses.
• Tier 2: Principal and Interest Reduction
  • Focus: Compliance combined with significant capital improvements.
  • Eligibility: Aggregated liens must be $2,000 or greater.
  • Benefit: Reduction of both interest and principal based on a sliding scale of dollars spent.
  • Incentives: Includes a 25% affordable housing boost for projects that meet Federal affordable housing standards.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for a lien reduction, the following conditions must be met:

• Only the property owner of record may apply.
• All ad valorem property taxes and special assessments, must be paid in full. A separate City policy governed by Jacksonville Ordinance Code Section 91.114 requires applicants to pay the nuisance and demolition lien first.
• The property must be in full compliance with the Jacksonville Ordinance Code.
• Owners must provide notarized documentation of all improvement costs.

How to Apply

Applications may be submitted after construction is complete but before the property is sold.

1. Download the Forms: Access the required Application and Affidavits below.
   • Nuisance Abatement and Demolition Lien Reduction Policy
   • Nuisance Demolition and Lien Reduction Application
   • Affidavit of Expenditures and Disbursement
   • Owner/Seller's Affidavit of Sales Price of Real Estate Transaction
   • Property Owner Agent Authorization Affidavit
2. Gather Documentation: Include a detailed description of work and notarized proof of expenditures.
3. Submit:
   • Electronically: Email all documents to lienreduction@coj.net.
   • By Mail: Accounts Receivable Supervisor, 117 West Duval Street, Suite 375, Jacksonville, Florida 32202.