(a) Application form. Application for a rental unit occupancy permit shall be made on forms supplied by the Chief Building Official for the city. Said application shall be made for any existing rental unit in accordance with the effective date of this chapter (see § 1489.02); and for any subsequently proposed rental unit(s) prior to the occupancy or use of said unit(s); and for any change in the ownership or occupancy of a rental unit in accordance with the provisions of this section. A rental unit occupancy permit shall expire in accordance with the provisions of § 1489.02, and no rental unit shall be utilized thereafter without re-application for and approval of a rental unit occupancy permit in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. The information on said application shall include, but not be limited to:
(1) The name, address and telephone number of the owner(s) of the property and any agent acting on behalf of the property owner;
(2) The street address, telephone number and name(s) of all persons residing within the rental unit in question; and
(3) The date on which the property became, or would become, a rental property.
(b) Application fees. The following fees shall be remitted to the city along with the submittal of a completed application form.
Single-family dwelling | $100 |
Two-family dwelling | $75 per rental unit |
Multi-family dwelling | $160 for the first three dwelling units and $30 for every dwelling unit over the first three |
(c) Inspection required.
(1) An inspection of each rental unit shall be required in order to establish compliance with the minimum maintenance and safety standards that are specified herein. Said inspection shall be conducted in association with the issuance of each new rental unit occupancy permit, unless exempted by the provisions of this Code.
(2) At the city’s discretion, and for the convenience of both the property owner and renter, inspections will be scheduled at change of occupancy when feasible. However, at least one inspection in accordance with the provisions of this chapter shall occur within three years of the date of the receipt of the rental occupancy permit application, regardless of whether a change in occupancy occurs during that period or not.
(3) All inspections shall be conducted by the city, unless an agreement is otherwise approved by the City Council authorizing a private inspection program for a specific premises. Any such private inspection agreement/program shall require, at a minimum, the following.
A. State certified inspectors required. Inspections shall be performed exclusively by persons holding current and valid State of Ohio Building, Plumbing and Electrical Inspector certifications, and only persons certified in the inspection of a particular system, shall be authorized to inspect that system.
B. City forms and inspection timelines required. The results of all inspections shall be clearly documented on city supplied and/or approved inspection forms, and such inspections shall be in compliance with the timelines and criteria specified within this chapter. Any violation of this chapter that is disclosed in the course of the inspection of the premises in question shall be brought into compliance in accordance with the timelines established under the provisions of this chapter. Any unresolved violations shall be reported to the Chief Building Official of the city so that enforcement proceedings can be commenced.
C. Provision of completed inspection forms to the city. Copies of all completed rental unit inspection forms, including any forms required by this Code relating to changes in occupancy or ownership, shall be provided to the City Building Department in a timely manner.
D. Provision for city verification of compliance. The city shall have the authority and discretion to verify compliance with the terms of the private inspection agreement through the conduction of onsite inspections and/or through any other relevant means. City Council shall have the authority and discretion to terminate any private agreement upon determination that the provisions of either the chapter or the inspection agreement have been violated.
E. Fee schedule for private inspection programs. A fee of $15 for each individual rental unit that is included within any Council approved private inspection program shall be provided to the city at the commencement of each recurring two-year inspection cycle in order to cover the city’s administrative costs associated with the private inspection program.
(d) Reinspection fee. The initial inspection and up to two re-inspections are included in the application fee. However, if more than two re-inspections are required in the enforcement of these regulations, each subsequent inspection shall require a re-inspection fee of $40. Failure to pay any re-inspection fee within 30 days of the date of the assessment of the fee, will result in the imposition of an additional late charge of $10 per day per rental unit for each day that elapses after the 30-day period. Failure to pay any re-inspection fee and/or any late charge fees within 60 days of the date of the assessment of the fee may result in the revocation of the rental unit occupancy permit in question.
(e) Change in ownership. In the event that there is a change in the ownership of record, the rental unit occupancy permit issued under the provisions of this chapter to the former owner shall become null and void. A new rental unit occupancy permit shall be applied for not more than 30 days after such change in ownership has occurred. Such new rental unit occupancy permit shall expire on the same date as the permit which it replaced, and no fee shall be charged for said change nor shall an inspection of the premises be required.
(f) Change in occupancy. In the event that there is a change in the nature or extent of the occupancy of a rental unit from that indicated in the rental unit occupancy permit, said rental unit occupancy permit shall become null and void. No change in the nature or extent of occupancy shall be permitted unless a new rental unit occupancy permit has been issued for said change in occupancy in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. The new rental unit occupancy permit shall expire on the same date as the permit it replaced and no fee shall be charged. If no change in the nature or extent of the occupancy of any rental unit is otherwise proposed, then no inspection shall be required. However, if additional city inspections are required due to the proposed change in the nature or extent of the occupancy of any rental unit then a new annual permit shall be issued and the required fees shall be remitted in accordance with divisions (b) and (c) above.
(g) Posting of permit. The owner, agent or person in charge of a building or rental unit shall retain and furnish upon request a copy of the rental unit occupancy permit to the tenant or lessee of the rental unit.
(Ord. 2011-111, passed 9-7-2011)