Isleton Municipal Code Art. I General

This chapter shall be known as the "rental housing inspection code," may be cited as such, and will be referred to herein as "this chapter."

(Ord. No. 2021-004, § 3, 5-25-2021)

A. The city council of the city recognizes that the preservation of existing rental housing stock is of tremendous importance. Rental housing provides needed, affordable housing for many and is a valuable asset that must be preserved and maintained. The city has a significant interest in ensuring that rental housing remains a desirable housing option for its residents.

B. Over time, rental housing often deteriorates because of intentional and unintentional neglect by property owners, managers, and tenants. This deterioration often results in substandard conditions that adversely affect the economic values of neighboring structures, and that are hazardous to the public health and safety. In many cases, property owners choose not to make the necessary repairs because of cost, and tenants do not report the deficiencies out of lack of knowledge or because they fear being evicted for doing so.

C. The public interest demands that all rental housing properties comply with the minimum standards regarding the health and safety of the public. The most effective way to seek universal compliance with the minimum standards is through routine periodic inspections of all rental housing properties. Accordingly, it is the intent of the city council to enact the provisions of this chapter as the basis for establishing a rental housing inspection program aimed at securing citywide compliance of rental housing properties with minimum standards. Citywide compliance will prevent blight and ensure that all persons who live in rental housing units are provided decent, safe, and sanitary housing.

(Ord. No. 2021-004, § 3, 5-25-2021)

For the purpose of this chapter, the following terms, phrases, and words shall have the meanings given.

A. City manager means the city manager of the city, or his or her designee.

B. Engage in the business of rental housing means renting or offering to rent a rental housing unit.

C. Inspector means any employee of the city authorized by the city manager to conduct inspections in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.

D. Owner means the owner of record.

E. Rent means to grant the possession or enjoyment of, in exchange for money or any other consideration.

F. Rental housing property means a parcel of real property, as shown on the latest equalized tax assessment roll as maintained by the assessor of the County of Sacramento, upon which a rental housing unit is maintained.

G. Rental housing unit means a single unit of residence for a single housekeeping unit of one or more persons, which is being rented, or is intended to be rented. Examples of housing units covered by this chapter include, but are not limited to, apartment units, condominiums, duplexes and single-family houses. "Rental housing unit" also includes other types of residential units that provide for sleeping accommodations, but toileting or cooking facilities are shared by occupants of more than one unit, such as residential or single room occupancy hotels.

(Ord. No. 2021-004, § 3, 5-25-2021)

A. The following fees are established and shall be imposed upon all owners of rental housing properties:

1. Rental housing inspection program fee. A fee is established for the administration and implementation of the provisions of this chapter, i.e., the rental housing inspection program. This fee shall be imposed annually for each rental housing unit on the owner's property. The fee shall also pay for the costs of all random inspections conducted pursuant to section 5.66.190.

2. Unit inspection fee. This fee shall be imposed annually for each rental housing unit on the owner's property that is subject to inspection pursuant to subsection B of section 5.66.090.

3. Additional unit inspection fee. This fee shall be imposed when an additional unit is inspected on the owner's property pursuant to subsection B of section 5.66.090. The fee shall pay for the costs of an inspection of each additional unit.

4. Rescheduling fee. This fee shall be imposed when an inspection is rescheduled in violation of section 5.66.110. The fee shall pay for the costs of rescheduling an inspection.

5. Reinspection fee. This fee shall be imposed when an additional periodic inspection is conducted pursuant to section 5.66.130. The fee shall pay for the costs of the additional periodic inspection.

B. The city council shall establish the amounts of the foregoing fees, and any penalties for delinquent payment of such fees, by resolution.

(Ord. No. 2021-004, § 3, 5-25-2021; Ord. No. 012-2021, § B., 5-25-2021; Res. No. 20-22, § 1(Att. A), 5-25-2021)

Before the commencement of any tenancy of a rental housing unit, the owner shall provide the tenant(s) with information concerning tenant rights and responsibilities. The information shall be provided in a form or forms approved by the city manager.

(Ord. No. 2021-004, § 3, 5-25-2021)