(A) No dwelling structure shall be operated as a rental multi-family dwelling structure unless the owner or landlord of such structure holds a current, unrevoked certificate of registration issued by the city in his, her or its name for the specific named multi-family dwelling structure. For the purpose of this section and this chapter, a dwelling structure containing four or more dwelling units therein shall constitute a rental multi-family dwelling structure.
(B) Every certificate of registration shall be issued for a period of one year from its date of issuance unless sooner revoked, and may be renewed for successive annual periods.
(C) No certificate of registration shall be issued or renewed unless the owner or landlord has first made application therefor on an application form provided by the City Building Department.
(D) The Building Commissioner is hereby authorized to investigate and to issue new certificates of registration upon application therefore and renewals therefor, in the names of applicant owners or operators of multi-family dwelling structures. No such certificate shall be issued unless the multi-family dwelling structure in connection with which the certificate is sought is found, after inspection by the Building Commissioner or his or her designee, to meet all requirements of the city code and of applicable rules and regulations pursuant thereto. Each applicant shall be notified by the Building Commissioner in advance of the date and time of such inspection.
(E) No certificate of registration shall be issued or renewed unless the completed application form is accompanied by payment of an annual registration fee. The annual registration fee for operating licenses for multi-family dwellings shall be $5 per dwelling unit.
(F) No certificate of registration shall be issued or renewed for an applicant unless such applicant has first designated an agent for the receipt of service of complaints for violation of the provisions of any of the city code, and for service of process pursuant thereto when said applicant is absent from the city for 30 days or more. Such designation shall be made in writing and shall accompany each application form.
(G) An application for renewal of a certificate of registration shall be made 30 days prior to the expiration of the present certificate.
(H) Each certificate shall be displayed in a conspicuous place within the common ways of the multi-family dwelling. Every person holding a certificate shall give notice in writing to the Building Commissioner within five days after having transferred or otherwise disposed of the legal control of any registered multi-family dwelling. Such notice shall include the name and address of the person or persons succeeding to the ownership or control of such multi-family dwelling.
(Prior Code, § 161.03) (Ord. 2653, passed 3-27-1984; Ord. 2693, passed 6-11-1985)