The purpose of this chapter is to protect the public health, safety and welfare of the community at large, and the residents of residential rental properties in the city. The purpose of this chapter is also to ensure that rental housing in the city is decent, safe and sanitary, and is so operated and maintained as not to become a nuisance to the neighborhood or an influence that fosters blight and deterioration or does not create a disincentive to reinvest in the community. The operation of residential rental properties is a business enterprise that entails certain responsibilities. Owners and operators are responsible for taking such reasonable steps as are necessary to ensure that the citizens of the city who occupy such rental properties may pursue the quiet enjoyment of the normal activities of life in their surroundings that are: safe, secure and sanitary; free from noise, nuisances or annoyances; and free from conditions that endanger the health or safety of persons, and the security of property. The city finds that a registration program is appropriate to effectively identify residential rental properties, gather contact information for property owners of residential rental properties, and to provide educational materials to property owners and occupants of residential rental properties. (Ord. 1084, 9-18-2023)