(a) The purpose of this Chapter is to establish a Rental Property Registration Program to increase transparency and improve accountability in the rental housing market in the City of Springfield. The rationale for the adoption of such a program is to protect the public health, safety, and welfare; eliminate blighting conditions; identify owners of properties and enhance property values in the city by raising the standards of the city's rental properties which represent approximately fifty (50%) percent of the households in the city.
(b) There is hereby created a Rental Property Registration Program within the Department of Community Development. This Chapter shall be applicable to all Rental Dwelling Units in the City of Springfield, Ohio.
(c) Nothing in this Chapter shall be construed to waive, relieve, or otherwise excuse an owner of a Rental Dwelling Unit from compliance with all applicable codes, ordinances, statutes, or laws and the owner shall at all times remain responsible, and liable therein. Nothing in this Chapter shall be construed to prevent the enforcement of other provisions of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Springfield or the Ohio Revised Code and nothing in this Chapter shall be construed to relieve an owner or interested party from duties imposed pursuant to any regulatory code, ordinance, statute, or law of the City or State of Ohio.