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• MEMORANDUM TO: PLANNING COMMISSION FROM: JOYCE PRUITT, PLANNING ASSOCIATE DATE: January 29, 1996 SUBJECT: HOUSING CODE REVISIONS Included in the January 17, 1996 packet was a copy of the revised Housing Code. The draft Ordinance includes establishment of occupancy standards, requiring compliance with the Housing Code prior to issuance of certificate of registration, and defining hazards, and providing closure to the inspection process. The first change proposed in the Ordinance is to establish occupancy standards based on square footage requirements as required by the Uniform Building Code. Up until • now, the Department of Housing and Urban Development required a maximum occupancy of two person per bedrooms. Because it was found to be unconstitutional to restrict the number of occupants in a dwelling unit, HUD has abolished their current occupancy standards. Individual municipalities may establish occupancy standards based on square footage requirements. This change is reflected in Section 1005.09, Subdivision 8. The second change proposed is to require inspections to be conducted prior to issuance of a Multiple Dwelling Registration. Currently, all multiple dwellings are issued licenses by April 1. With this change, registration certificated will be issued upon compliance with the Housing Code. The third change proposed addresses the correction of immediate hazards stating that no occupancy shall be permitted if an immediate hazard exists (immediate hazards are listed in Section 1005.14, Subdivision 4). This would allow the City to require that any hazards listed in this section be corrected immediately (or within a time specified by the City). If the repairs are not completed within this specified time, the City wold be authorized to make repairs and assess the costs to the property. Resolution No. 440-96 has been prepared for your review and consideration. Staff requests the Planning Commission call to order to take action on this item during the fpFebruary 7, 1996, meeting so that the ordinance may be forwarded to the City Council for a first reading on February 12, 1996. If you have any questions regarding this matter, please call.