Pendleton council to consider a vacant storefront ordinance
By Terry Murry on Friday, December 5th, 2025 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
PENDLETON – The Pendleton City Council had the first reading this week of a proposed ordinance to address vacant storefronts in the downtown area. It would require property owners to register their vacant storefronts with the city at no fee.
The ordinance would also require a completed plan to market the space. It would also require the owner to contribute to the overall appearance of the space. If the storefront is determined to be a public nuisance, there must be a plan of action to remedy that. It would also contain a process for the owner to contest the finding of vacancy for a storefront.
For years, the downtown area has had buildings owned by people or groups who refuse to rent their properties. The ordinance is hoped to remedy that.
“There are people that are being contacted that own buildings by people who want to pay money to rent them and they’re saying, ‘No, we don’t want to rent our empty building,’” City Manager Robb Corbett said.
The city council will have to hold a public hearing on the proposed ordinance before it can take action.
