Owners of abandoned and foreclosed houses in Macon will now have to pay a ten dollar fee to add their property to a city registry.

Council members say the database will help locate homeowners if their house violates city codes.

Wanzina Jackson with Economic and Community Development says, "Believe it or not, it's happening more often, especially with regards to corporations as well as banks. So, one of the issues that we're coming in contact with is that it has someone listed as an owner but it does not have any contact information."

The proposal originally called for a $100 application fee for the registry, but council members agreed to cut that down to $10.

People who do not pay that fee or notify the city about their vacant property could face an additional fine up to $500 from the municipal court.

The registry applies to foreclosed properties and residences that have been empty for at least 60 days.