(A) No rental residential unit shall be occupied or continued to be occupied unless the structure in which said unit is located complies with the provisions and standards of the city's Property Maintenance Code and all other codes of the city relating to building and housing and is maintained in a structurally sound condition and kept free from health, fire and other hazards to life and property.
(B) The owner of the rental residential unit shall be responsible for keeping the premises maintained in good repair and fit for human habitation, which shall include the building's interior and exterior and all living areas. Repairs may require obtaining proper city building permits.
(C) Equipment safety and maintenance. Every facility, piece of equipment, utility or service which is required under this chapter shall be so constructed and/or installed to function safely and effectively and shall be maintained in satisfactory working condition and shall not be removed, shut off or disconnected in any occupied rental residential unit, except for such temporary interruptions as may be necessary while actual repairs or alterations are in process or during temporary emergencies or tenant's failure to pay agreed upon services. Utilities or services shared by more than one unit shall be the owner's responsibility to maintain.
(D) If, upon inspection, there is an insect or rodent infestation in more than one dwelling unit, the owner shall be required to contract with a licensed extermination company to treat all common areas and infested units not less than on a monthly basis for the remainder of the license years.
(E) Garbage containers for apartment buildings. Providing for garbage and rubbish removal and supplying such facilities or containers as are necessary for the sanitary disposal of all garbage and rubbish is a condition of occupancy. Such exterior containers shall be enclosed on three sides with appropriate materials for appearance and the containers must be emptied at a frequency so that garbage and rubbish does not overflow provided containers.
(F) If the city deems that any rental properties lawn has become a nuisance to the surrounding neighbors, Public Works will be assigned to cut and remove all grass and weeds from around the property at a minimum cost of $200 plus a $100 administrative fee. In addition, the Building and Housing Department will issue a citation to the property owner.
(G) Fire extinguishers. Every rental residential unit shall have one fire extinguisher, two and one-half pound charge, manufactured by an approved testing agency for combating Class A, B and C fires.
(H) Security, crime-free rental housing program requirements. The following requirements provide crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED). Each rental unit must comply with these requirements:
(1) Deadbolts with three-inch screws secured into the building framing for strike plates on all unit entry doors;
(2) Anti-lift slide devices on sliding doors and windows on the first floor, garden levels and accessible second levels;
(3) Adequate security lighting for all hallways, entryways and parking lots and common areas;
(4) Proper trimming of trees and shrubs, eliminating hiding places;
(5) Eye views on entry doors with 180-degree view;
(6) All multi-unit buildings must have the building address in clear view on the front and back of the building. Single residences must have the building address in clear view on the front of the building. Each of the figures of every such address on any residence or apartment building shall not be less than four inches in length; and
(7) Buzzer type entry security system must be in proper working order from all of the dwelling units in every multi-unit buildings with common entrances. All front and back entry doors must locked at all times.
(I) Water service. It shall be unlawful for occupants to remain in occupancy of premises where the water service has been disconnected for a period of six days or more and the Water Department is authorized to seek an eviction of such unlawful occupants in the Circuit Court of the county. Where there is a determination that children are involved in the occupancy of the premises, the Water Department shall notify the state's Department of Children and Family Services.
(1) A zero tolerance policy will be in effect if the Water and Public Works Department has determined that a property that has been previously disconnected from water service suddenly has reestablished water service, the landlord or property manager will be held responsible for all fines and penalties associated with the water account.
(2) In addition, the landlord or property manager may be informed to terminate any lease agreement with tenants accused of stealing any city services or will risk suspension or revocation of residential rental license.
(J) Residential rental licenses must be prominently displayed near the front entrance to a residential rental unit and must be produced upon request by any authorized agent of the city.
(Ord. 17-O-2162, passed 1-18-2017; Ord. 20-O-2280, passed 8-19-2020; Ord. 24-O-2388, passed 5-15- 2024) Penalty, see § 121.99