1331.03 PERMIT APPLICATION.
   (a)    Applications for a Leasing Permit shall be required annually for a period covering October 1 - September 30 of each year.
 
   (b)    Applications for a Leasing Permit shall be made by supplying information necessary to determine compliance with applicable laws, ordinances, rules and regulations for the existing use or occupancy or the intended use or occupancy on forms provided by the City. Such information shall include, but is not limited to, the following:
      (1)   The name, address, telephone number and email address, if any, of the owner(s) of the property. A post office box number shall not be provided as the sole address of the owner;
      (2)   If the owner is a limited partnership, corporation or limited liability company, the name, address and telephone number of the statutory agent of such entity;
      (3)   If the owner is a general partnership, the name, address and phone number of the general partner to receive notices from the City relating to the dwelling unit. A post office box number shall not be used as the sole address of the general partner;
      (4)   The name, address, telephone number and email address, if any, of any agent or manager of the property. A post office box number shall not be used as the sole address of the agent or manager.
      (5)   Any owner who does not reside in or have their principal place of business in Cuyahoga County or an adjacent county shall be required to designate a local agent, who shall be authorized to receive notification of complaints, damages, emergencies, substandard conditions or other communications, including service of process. Any designated local agent shall reside in or have their principal place of business in Cuyahoga County or an adjacent county.
      (6)   A description of the rental unit, including the type and number of total rooms and the number of rooms to be used as bedrooms.
      (7)   The total number of tenants that will occupy the dwelling unit;
      (8)   A statement signed by the property owner, under penalty of perjury, that the dwelling unit complies with all applicable provisions of Part 13 - Building Code of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Berea.
 
   (c)    The City shall issue a Leasing Permit for a dwelling unit if it finds all of the following:
      (1)   The dwelling unit and property complies with the provisions of Part Thirteen of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Berea; and
      (2)   The water bill for the dwelling unit is paid in full, as of the date of application; and
      (3)   The property taxes for the property are current, as reported by the Fiscal Officer of Cuyahoga County; and
      (4)   The Leasing Permit Application fee is paid in full; and
      (5)   All of the information requested in the application has been provided; and
      (6)   That the property was not declared a nuisance for any reason specified in Chapter at any time in the previous permitting period.
   In making a determination, the City may rely on information provided by the applicant and in public records. The City shall conduct an exterior property maintenance inspection of the property at least once every other year.
 
   (d)    Fee. The fee charged for a Leasing Permit application shall be $60 per year. The fee shall be paid at the time the Leasing Permit Application is filed.
(Ord. 2018-33. Passed 5-21-18.)