Green Bay to Vote on Vacant Building Registry Ordinance

The City Council will consider a measure Tuesday to penalize owners of long-term vacant properties.

Updated on Oct. 19, 2026 in Commercial

Bold vector editorial illustration of a vacant brick storefront with boarded windows, representing municipal policy on commercial property vacancy. — The Green Bay City Council will vote Tuesday on a new ordinance requiring owners to register vacant commercial buildings to address property neglect. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Should your local government charge fees to owners of vacant commercial buildings?

On Tuesday, October 20, 2026, the Green Bay City Council will vote on a new ordinance requiring owners to register vacant commercial buildings. The proposed policy seeks to curb long-term vacancies and encourage the revitalization of empty local properties.

Why it matters

City officials intend for the registry to deter neglect by imposing fees on stagnant commercial sites, aiming to boost local economic activity. The measure mirrors similar programs currently operating in at least five other Wisconsin municipalities.

Property owners must register vacant buildings within 60 days, facing annual renewal fees starting at $500. Violations of the ordinance carry daily fines ranging from $250 to $5,000.

The players

Green Bay City Council

This is the legislative body responsible for passing local ordinances and managing municipal policy for the city of Green Bay.

Alderperson Prestley

This city official initiated the request for the development of the vacant property registry in June 2026.

The details

The ordinance mandates registration for empty commercial sites but provides exemptions for properties actively under construction, in legal proceedings, or listed for sale or lease. Enforcement will rely on a complaint-based system due to existing city staffing levels.

Early June 2026: Alderperson Prestley requested city staff create a registry.
October 20, 2026: City council scheduled to vote on the ordinance.
January 31: Annual deadline for renewing vacant property registration.

Culture Shift

This move reflects a broader trend of Wisconsin municipalities using regulatory fees to combat the decay of urban commercial corridors. It marks a shift toward holding property owners accountable for long-term vacancies to prevent neighborhood blight.

Residents should note that property owners may be incentivized to sell or lease storefronts more quickly to avoid the escalating annual fees. This could lead to an increase in new businesses occupying previously empty buildings throughout the city.

The takeaway

The registry serves as a financial deterrent against holding unused real estate in central districts. Property owners should prepare to file registration documents within 60 days of a building becoming vacant to remain in compliance with the proposed city rules.