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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 4: Ordinance on Rental Housing Code ECC UGENE ITY OUNCIL AIS GENDA TEM UMMARY Action: An Ordinance Concerning Rental Housing Standards; Amending Section 8.425 of the Eugene Code, 1971; and Repealing Section 5 of Ordinance No. 20239 Meeting Date: May 27, 2008 Agenda Item Number: 4 Department: Planning and Development Staff Contact: Rachelle Nicholas www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 682-5495 ISSUE STATEMENT The City Council is scheduled to take action on a proposed ordinance that would add security and smoke detectors to the rental housing standards and remove the program sunset provision. BACKGROUND The Eugene Rental Housing Code was adopted by the City Council in 2004. The purpose of the Rental Housing Code is to provide minimum habitability criteria to safeguard the health, property and public well-being of the owners, occupants and users of rental housing. The Rental Housing Code currently addresses four areas of habitability: structural integrity, plumbing, heating and weather-proofing. At the October 8, 2007, work session, council provided direction to add mold, security, and smoke detectors to the ordinance and remove the sunset provision. The ordinance is currently scheduled to sunset December 31, 2008. A public hearing was held on the proposed ordinance on May 19, 2008. A motion was passed to remove the mold provision from the ordinance and take it for consideration to a work session, and bring the remainder of the ordinance back for council action on the scheduled date. RELATED CITY POLICIES Chapter III, Existing Housing Supply and Neighborhoods, Policy A.25 of the Eugene-Springfield Metropolitan Area General Plan 2004 update: Conserve the metropolitan area’s supply of existing affordable housing and increase the stability and quality of older residential neighborhoods, through measures such as revitalization, code enforcement, appropriate zoning, rehabilitation programs, relocation of existing structures, traffic calming, parking requirements or public considerations. These actions should support planned densities in these areas. COUNCIL OPTIONS The City Council may consider the following options: 1.Approve the proposed ordinance. 2.Approve the proposed ordinance with modifications. 3.Take no action, allowing the program to end December 31, 2008. Z:\CMO\2008 Council Agendas\M080527\S0805274.doc CITY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION The City Manager recommends that City Council adopt the proposed ordinance. SUGGESTED MOTION Move to adopt the proposed ordinance concerning rental housing standards; amending Section 8.425 of the Eugene Code, 1971; and repealing Section 5 of Ordinance No. 20239. ATTACHMENTS A.Proposed Rental Housing Code Ordinance FOR MORE INFORMATION Staff Contact: Rachelle Nicholas Telephone: 682-5495 Staff E-Mail: rachelle.d.nicholas@ci.eugene.or.us Z:\CMO\2008 Council Agendas\M080527\S0805274.doc ATTACHMENT A ORDINANCE NO. __________ AN ORDINANCE CONCERNING RENTAL HOUSING STANDARDS; AMENDING SECTION 8.425 OF THE EUGENE CODE, 1971; AND REPEALING SECTION 5 OF ORDINANCE NO. 20239. THE CITY OF EUGENE DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. Subsection (5) of Section 8.425 of the Eugene Code, 1971, is renumbered to (7), and new Subsections (5) and (6) are added thereto, to provide as follows: 8.425Rental Housing – Standards . (5) Security. Doors and windows leading into a dwelling unit must be equipped with locks and shall be maintained in a condition so as to restrict access into the dwelling unit. (6) Smoke detectors. Every dwelling unit shall be equipped with an approved and properly functioning smoke alarm or smoke detector installed and maintained in accordance with the state building code, ORS 479.270, 479.275, and 479.285, and applicable rules of the State Fire Marshal. (5) 7 Interpretations. (a) The city manager is empowered to render interpretations of sections 8.400 through 8.440 of this code. (b) Such interpretations shall be consistent with the purpose of this code. Section 2. The City Recorder, at the request of, or with the concurrence of the City Attorney, is authorized to administratively correct any reference errors contained herein or in other provisions of the Eugene Code, 1971, to the provisions added, amended or repealed herein. Section 3. Section 5 of Ordinance No. 20239 passed by the City Council on November 22, 2004, and which provided for the automatic sunset and repeal of Ordinance 20239 and the Rental Housing Code (Sections 8.400 – 8.440, 8.995) added Ordinance to the Eugene Code, 1971 by that Ordinance on December 31, 2008, is hereby repealed. Passed by the City Council this Approved by the Mayor this ____ day of ______________, 2008 ____ day of _______________, 2008 _____________________________ ______________________________ City Recorder Mayor Ordinance