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Plannning Commission Date: 8/23/93 Agenda Item: 6 • Item: Consideration of the adoption of the Uniform Housing Code with some revisions Submitted by: Susan. Hoyt, City Administrator Reviewed by: Dave Kriesel, Building Official Brian Standing, intern Explanation/description: Two years ago staff recommended to the planning commission and city council that the city adopt a housing code to use in the rare instances when residents health and. safety is threatened by the condition of a dwelling unit. The Ramsey County environmental inspector said that it is easier for Ramsey County health officials to enforce health standards when a local housing code is in place. Most older cities adopt housing codes, like building codes, to assure that the cities' built environment is maintained. Many cities use a housing code only when a possible threat to health and safety has been identified whereas others use a "truth-in-housing" program where a house must meet the housing code prior to the sale of a structure. After some research, the staff recommends adopting the Uniform Housing Code now to have in place when situations arise that may be a threat to public health and safety at this time. Ramsey County health officials working with the city's building official, fire marshal and mechanical inspector would carry out these inspections. The staff recommends considering a program for issuing "certificates of occupancy" for apartment buildings in the future. However, prior to implementing a program like this, it will be necessary to determine who will carry out the inspections, how frequently they should be made and how the costs will be covered. Depending upon the condition of homes at sale, the city may also consider a "truth -in-housing" program in the future.