Nuevo León approves reforms to penalize abandoned properties

The Nuevo León State Congress has unanimously approved reforms to the Municipal Tax Law to address the growing issue of abandoned lots and unoccupied houses, particularly within the Monterrey Metropolitan Area. The legislation, proposed by Deputy Carlos de la Fuente Flores, allows municipalities to intervene directly in properties that accumulate weeds, debris, and trash.

The reform aims to mitigate environmental contamination, health risks from pests and mosquitoes, and the degradation of urban ecosystems. Under the new law, property owners will be held responsible for the costs of clearing and cleaning these sites. Penalties include fines ranging from 3 to 10 times the value of cleaning fees, with an additional 50% increase for repeat offenders.