(A) Inspection required.
(1) Dwellings containing units which will be offered for rent or hire shall be inspected systematically for compliance with this chapter and all other applicable laws of the state and the city. Inspections are based on all applicable state codes and city ordinances.
(2) Where a nonresidential business or activity, or a state-licensed and inspected use occupies a portion of a building and premises which would otherwise be subject to this section, the provisions of this section shall be applicable to the residential and common or public areas of such building and premises.
(B) Inspection frequency.
(1) All premises that will be offered for rent or hire shall be inspected at least once every two years.
(2) Neither the common areas nor the dwelling or rooming units in structures newly constructed shall be further inspected after the completion and issuance of a certificate of occupancy for a period of two years from the date of said certificate, unless a complaint is made thereof. Thereafter, said units shall be inspected in accordance with the requirements of this section.
(3) Nothing in this section shall preclude the inspection of said dwellings more frequently than every two years.
(C) Inspection - certificate required. No landlord shall rent, let or let for occupancy any premises without having a valid, current license certifying inspection for that premises.
(D) Inspection - procedure.
(1) If, upon completion of the biennial inspection, the premises are found to be in compliance with all applicable city and state codes and ordinances and the appropriate fee has been paid, the city shall issue a license certifying inspection of the premises.
(2) If, upon completion of the biennial inspection, the premises are found to be in violation of one or more provisions of applicable city codes and ordinances, the city shall provide written notice of such violations and shall set a re-inspection date before which such violation shall be corrected. If such violation has been corrected within that period, the city shall issue a license certifying inspection of the premises. If such violations have not been corrected within that period, the city shall not issue the license and may take any action necessary to enforce compliance with applicable city and state codes and ordinances.
(E) License - expiration date.
(1) The licenses certifying inspection issued pursuant to this section shall expire two years from the date of the biennial inspection.
(2) The license shall have the expiration date prominently displayed on its face.
(F) License - transferability.
(1) A license issued pursuant to this section shall be transferable to succeeding owners; provided, however, that within 7 days of the transfer, the transferor shall provide written notice of said transfer to the building department of the city. Such notice shall contain the name and address of the succeeding owners. The failure to provide such notice shall result in the revocation of the license. Further, upon receipt of written notice of transfer of ownership, the city, at its option, reserves the right to conduct an inspection of the premises to determine whether the premises are in compliance with all applicable city and state codes and ordinances before approving a license transfer.
(G) License - availability. Upon the request of an existing or prospective tenant, the landlord shall produce the license certifying inspection.
(H) Suspension or revocation of license. If the building official determines that any person has failed to comply with this section or any applicable city or state code or ordinance, the building official may suspend or revoke the license held by that person. A person aggrieved by such a suspension or revocation or by any action taken by the city in regard to this section or city and state codes and ordinances, may make an appeal in accordance with this section.
(Prior Code, § 13-74) (Ord. 68, passed 6-21-1973; Am. Ord. 2018-008, passed 10-4-2018)