It is the purpose of this chapter to assure that rental housing in the city's R-1 one-family residential zoning district is decent, safe and sanitary and is operated and maintained in accordance with the city's regulations. The implementation of a rental licensing program in the R-1 zoning district is a mechanism to ensure that rental single-family housing will not become a nuisance to the neighborhood; will not foster blight and deterioration; and/or will not create a disincentive to reinvestment in the community. The operation of rental housing entails certain responsibilities. Owners of rental housing are responsible to take the reasonable necessary steps to ensure that those individuals who occupy rental housing units may pursue the quiet enjoyment of the normal activities of life in the surrounding area that are: safe, secure, and sanitary; free from crimes and criminal activity, noise, nuisances or annoyances; free from unreasonable fears about safety of persons and security of property; and suitable for raising children. (Ord. 407, 4-4-2006)