FORT BRAGG, CA., 11/18/25 — A new effort is underway to crack down on the chronic issue of abandoned commercial spaces in Fort Bragg. At the Nov. 10 City Council meeting, City Manager Isaac Whippy proposed a resolution to establish fines and penalties for landlords who fail to address blight.
“We’ve seen this across cities in California, including Fort Bragg, with vacant storefronts and buildings, particularly in our central business district and commercial zones,” Whippy said. “We’ve been dealing with this for the last 10 to 15 years, and it was time to do something about it.”
In a citywide survey, most respondents said vacant properties are a drag on Fort Bragg’s economy and erode a sense of safety. The survey identified Franklin Street, between Laurel and Redwood streets, as a problem area for long-term vacancies, along with the former Rite Aid building, the old Bank of America, the long-vacant Tip Top building and the Huber Building.
Respondents also cited landlords who have allowed buildings to sit empty for a decade or more, with little incentive to maintain or improve them, as a major concern. “The city has historically done complaint-driven code enforcement,” Whippy said. “But this would be a proactive, strategic enforcement that is tailored to addressing vacant buildings in our downtown.”
Under the ordinance, vacant property owners would be required to register any abandoned commercial buildings, units or lots within 30 days of qualifying — defined as a property left vacant for at least 90 days.
Owners must also post signage detailing the status of the property. “Whether it’s under maintenance or it’s available for sale or rent, with the contact information of the real estate agent,” Whippy said. “The signage must be clear and visible from the street.”
New or revived businesses that open in a previously vacant space before the payment deadline would be removed from the registry. Owners who do not comply would be charged yearly and monthly fees to help recoup the city’s costs to monitor and maintain the grounds surrounding the properties.
Whippy said the ordinance is another step in Fort Bragg’s 2024–25 downtown revitalization strategy to help generate more tourism dollars.
“We have business owners who work hard, and they go out of their way to beautify their buildings,” he said. “But when they look across the street and see buildings that are neglected, abandoned, covered in graffiti and more, it’s just not fair as we’re all trying to improve the city’s vibrancy.”
Survey respondents cited Cloverdale, Ukiah, Petaluma, Eureka and Ashland as examples of successful downtown renewal and business district improvements. Whippy said the city took those success stories into account as the local ordinance was drafted.
The City Council is expected to vote on the resolution at its next meeting on Monday, Nov. 24 at 6 p.m. at Fort Bragg Town Hall, 363 N. Main St. Residents can also participate virtually via a Zoom link at the top of the agenda when it becomes available. Public comments can be emailed to cityclerk@fortbraggca.gov. Meeting agendas can be found at https://cityfortbragg.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx.
Ummm …Ukiah and Eureka are success stories?!
Before they institute new and onerous fees, how about if the city sponsors a little research to find out why people are not interested in upgrading and renting or selling vacant commercial buildings. People generally love to make money. Whats holding the owners of these buildings back from seizing the hour?
Income tax for the owner and their heirs may be a consideration. The tax basis of the property and capital gains are the issue. A local CPA can explain in detail.
Several years back, Oakland passed a vacant property tax on residential property and undeveloped vacant lots to help raise funds for more permanent and transitional housing. I don’t recall if commercial was part of that. But they did raise a lot of money and stopped some of the “land banking” (owners just sitting with vacant property year after year after year as an investment).
Well the tip top club has not been that long vacant. It was sold couple years ago to a new owner and there’s apartments attached to the building that are probably not vacant.
So City Manager wants to increase taxes – AGAIN. I’m not surprised. He and the Godeke, Hocket, Rafanan gang keep subsidizing development of the headlands by the railway. They are going to need a lot more money to pay for new sewer, water, streets, police and fire services on the headlands to subsidize development.
Meanwhile the city’s public works consultant reports the current city water infrastructure was failing and needs almost $40 million to meet current needs, not including the cost of supporting 400 units of new headlands residences, commercial and train industrial.
According to media report – “During the December 8th Fort Bragg City Council meeting, the city received a report with a list of improvements for the water system over the next ten years at a cost of $39 million. The report will be used as a basis to discuss water rates at upcoming public works and council meetings.”
A city lead by morons or sociopaths indifferent to the needs of fixed income seniors and low income hospitality worker families.