Item A - Housing Standards - Laserfiche WebLink

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Financial and/or Resource Considerations This would be a new program area; no resources or budget have been allocated. Authorization for new staffing and General Fund expenditures might be required depending on City Council direction. Staff will prepare budget and time estimates for implementation based on that direction. Other Background Information At the May 24, 2004, work session, the council directed staff to create draft ordinance language on housing standards similar to Corvallis, including funding mechanisms and enforcement mechanisms. The draft ordinance language is included in the packet as Attachment A. In addition, the council asked staff to provide information on the following: 1) How would rooms in owner-occupied homes with residents sharing bathroom and kitchen facilities be classified? Staff proposes that all owner-occupied housing be exempt from the rental housing standards. 2) How would single-family dwellings, not occupied in part by owners and where rooms are rented and kitchen and bathroom facilities are shared, be classified? Staff proposes that such houses be considered as single units and included in the program. 3) Would individual complainants be required to pay court costs up front if a suit was initiated in civil court? In order to file a complaint in circuit court, one must pay the filingfee up front. The filingfee depends upon the amount of the claim and whether the case is filed in small claims court (limited to claims of SS, 000 or less). In Lane County, the filingfee is $137 for claims under $10,000 and $203 dollars for claims more than $10,000. In Lane County Small Claims Court, the filingfee is $51for claims less than $1,500 and $98 for claims more than $1,500. A party may apply for a deferral or waiver of filingfees and costs. 4) Can program costs be minimized by reducing outreach and education and focusing on enforcement? Staff's experience in varied enforcement programs and the Corvallis housing code experience suggests that most of the costs incurred wouM be in providing public information and answering questions not enforcement actions generating fine revenues. An effective regulatory program requires public education and information. 5) What would Corvallis change if drafting an ordinance again? Corvallis staff initially exempted low-income housing from both the regulations and the fees associated with the program. Staff has amended the regulations for low-income housing to exempt only the fees associated with the housing code, but the regulations now apply. 6) Would a multi-year license make the program simpler and more efficient to administer and reduce costs and fees? Once the data base is established, there wouM be minimal savings in extending the rental housing fees over multiple years. Corvallis staff feels there is a benefit to an annual rental license fee. It provides an opportunity to remind landlords of the requirements and is valuable in keeping the data base current. L:\CMO\2004 Council Agendas\M040811\S040811A. doc