The City of Windsor is proposing a new tax on owners of vacant properties in the city.
If approved, a residential unit that is unoccupied for more than 183 days in a taxation year would be taxed three per cent of the unit's municipal property assessment.
The additional cost is intended to serve as a motivator to rent or sell the property to increase the housing supply in the city.
The proposed bylaw includes some exemptions like a residential unit that is under construction or a home that is vacant up to two years after the the registered owner of the property passes away.
Windsor City Councillors will debate the proposed tax at the upcoming council meeting Monday evening.
If approved, the city will submit an application to the Ministry of Finance.
The new tax would come into effect January 1, 2024.
