City Ordinance 08-2007, established in May, 2007 sets standards for residential rental property. Each property owner (or lessor) must have a local agent and provide necessary contact information to the City. Each agent must obtain a local business license (formerly known as an occupational license) from the city.
Guidelines of the program include the following:
INSPECTION OF RENTAL PROPERTIES
Initial inspection of rental properties/units
A report will be provided noting items that are in violation of all applicable housing, health, and property maintenance codes. A period will be provided to correct any noted violations and a follow-up inspection will occur.
Re-inspection
Grade Classification of Rental Property
If violations are found, a re-inspection will be scheduled, a property/unit will be assigned a grade classification that will determine the frequency of future inspections.
Follow up inspection
Generally each rental property/unit will be inspected at least once every five years. Depending on the rating assigned to the property/unit, it may be inspected more frequently.
Cost of Local Business Tax Receipt
The City will issue a local business tax receipt consistent with the fee schedule set forth in Chapter 12 of the City Code. The fee for a lessor of real property is $63.00 per property owner other than apartments. The fee for owners of apartment buildings is determined by the number of units.
Inspection Fee – no charge
1st Reinspection Fee – no charge
2nd Reinspection Fee - $75.00
The City shall provide the property owner/local agent at least seven (7) days written notice, prior to inspection of a unit, unless emergency circumstances warrant an immediate inspection of the unit for life safety reasons.
RENTAL UNIT CLASSIFICATIONS
Class A-the unit has no violations of applicable code.
Class B-the unit had some violations, but such violations did not pose an immediate threat or danger to the life, health, safety, and welfare of the tenants.
Class C-the unit had violations that were in excess of 10 and/or any violations affected the overall livability of the unit but did not pose an immediate threat or danger to the tenant.
Class D-the unit had violations and is either unsafe, contains unsafe equipment, or is unfit for human occupancy.
Class F-the unit is extensively not in compliance with applicable codes and is unsafe and unfit for human occupancy.
Class N-the unit was newly constructed and issued a certificate of occupancy within the previous sixty (60) months.
Class R-the unit was significantly rehabilitated and renovated within the previous 36 months.
Application and Renewal
Tax Due: before September 30 of each year
Tax Delinquent: after October 1 of each year
All local business license renewals are processed by the city beginning August 1, and are due and payable before September 30. The license expires at midnight on September 30 of the following year.
