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LAUDE 1 ALE COUNCIL • ACTION FO • Action Requested Consent Public Hearing Discussion Action Resolution Work Session Meeting Date August 22, 2017 ITEM NUMBER Rental Housing Ordinance STAFF INITIAL APPROVED BY ADMINISTRATOR DESCRIPTION OF ISSUE AND PAST COUNCIL ACTION: Staff have been batting around the idea of revising the rental housing ordinance for some time. The ordinance has been revised a couple of time since its adoption in 2006 to address situations that arise that impact the community. This revision is different in that it would be to retool the administrative process and create more tools to hold rental property owners ac- countable through the licensing process. Specifically, staff would address the following: • Change the licensing period from January 1 through December 31 to July 1 through June 30. This would eliminate the need to create special provisionary licenses for exterior work required by the building official that can't be done in winter, allow the building official to see the yard and structure in better weather conditions, and move the licensing period to a time when it doesn't conflict with elections and other year end work. • Change from a one-year license with biannual inspections to a two year license with bi- annual inspections. Currently, staff spend a significant amount of time issuing renewal licenses for every property even though they don't have a corresponding inspection. • Eliminate the language that allows a landlord to continue the licensing process into the new year if they have filed the paperwork by December 15. The license would have to be completed by the start of the licensing period or the owner would face administrative fees or licensing action. • Initiate an inspection fee system that creates an incentive for property owners to visit their properties ahead of inspections to ensure things like smoke and CO alarms are pre- sent and functioning. The $34 inspection fee we currently charge does not cover the cost of multiple visits. Staff is looking for feedback on the concepts presented. If the Council supports the changes, staff will draft the ordinance revisions and bring to a future meeting. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: