Reston property owners and landlords, along with those across Fairfax County, face a new civil enforcement tool targeting recurring criminal activity on their premises.

The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday, Sept. 15, to adopt a criminal blight ordinance that gives police a streamlined process to compel property owners to fix conditions tied to ongoing drug dealing, prostitution, or gun discharge. The law takes effect Thursday, Oct. 1.

Under the ordinance, which amends Chapter 46 of the county code, enforcement works in three steps. Police send the property owner a notice backed by an affidavit documenting the criminal activity. The owner then has 30 days to take corrective action, which could include policy changes or efforts to secure the building, according to FFXnow, which first reported the vote.

If the owner does nothing within 30 days, a second notice sets a deadline of at least 15 days before the county may step in or go to court. Under Virginia Code § 15.2-907, the state law authorizing such ordinances, an owner who requests more time in writing during the first 30-day window gets an automatic 30-day extension.

The process is civil, not criminal.

If the county ultimately performs corrective work itself, it can bill the property owner. Unpaid charges become a lien on the property with the same priority as delinquent real estate taxes, according to state law.

The ordinance includes protections for landlords. If a tenant is the source of the problem and the owner acts in good faith to evict or remedy the situation, the owner is considered in compliance. Owners who take corrective steps but cannot eliminate the blight despite good-faith efforts also satisfy the law.

Mount Vernon District Supervisor Dan Storck brought the issue to the board in February after his district struggled with problem properties. Storck told colleagues at the hearing that the prior approach required going through the criminal justice system and took more than a year.

"The county really has more tools in its tool shed, if you will, to address what I know has been at least in a couple different situations in the Mount Vernon District, something that really truly made it difficult for the community," Storck said.

Assistant County Attorney Patrick Fultz, who presented the ordinance at the Sept. 15 public hearing, said at least 10 other Virginia jurisdictions have enacted similar laws since 1994, including Alexandria, Virginia Beach and Charlottesville.

The vote was unanimous. Residents with concerns about a property can contact the Fairfax County Police Department's non-emergency line.