The Newport News City Council has approved a set of ordinances intended to address blight, unsafe housing, and nuisance issues in local neighborhoods. The decision follows several months of community feedback and is part of the city’s ongoing efforts to revitalize neighborhoods.
“Newport News Speaks. Leaders Listen. And Get Things Done.”
City officials stated that while the new rules may prompt debate, they are designed to consider both resident concerns and property rights.
“These ordinances are not about overstepping — they’re about stepping up,” said Mayor Phillip Jones. “We’ve heard residents loud and clear. Abandoned and derelict homes, unsafe rentals, and cluttered lots are hurting our neighborhoods. We’re responding with tools that hold property owners accountable and protect our community.”
City Manager Alan K. Archer said, “This is about improving quality of life and property values. These new measures allow the city to act when owners do not, but always with fairness, notice, and due process.”
Among the approved measures is an ordinance on derelict buildings and spot blight abatement that will take effect on October 1, 2025.
