Sacramento Municipal Code Art. I General

This chapter shall be known as the "rental housing inspections code," may be cited as such, and will be referred to herein as "this chapter." (Ord. 2013-0013 § 1; Ord. 2008-012 § 1)

A. The city council of the city of Sacramento 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 citizens.

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 Sacramento city council to enact the provisions of this chapter as the basis for establishing a rental housing inspection program aimed at securing city-wide compliance of rental housing properties with minimum standards. City-wide compliance will prevent blight and ensure that all persons who live in rental housing units are provided decent, safe and sanitary housing. (Ord. 2013-0013 § 1; Ord. 2008-012 § 1)

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

"Director" means the employee of the city authorized by the city manager to supervise the rental housing inspection division, or his or her designee.

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

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

"Owner" means the owner of record.

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

"Rental housing inspection division" means the department or division of the city designated by the city manager to administer the provisions of this chapter.

"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.

"Rental housing unit" means a single unit of residence for a single housekeeping unit of one or more persons, that is being rented, or is intended to be rented. Examples of housing units covered by this chapter include 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. This does not include units used for transient lodging such as dormitories, group homes, rooming or boarding houses, hotels, motels, and bed and breakfast inns. (Ord. 2013-0013 § 1; Ord. 2008-012 § 1)

A. Unless otherwise specified in this section, the following rental housing units shall be exempt from the requirements of this chapter:

1. Rental housing units that are subject to routine periodic inspections by another government agency, and the frequency and scope of the inspections are to the satisfaction of the director; or

2. Rental housing units that, within the past five years, have been newly constructed and either have been issued a certificate of occupancy or have passed final inspection by the city of Sacramento. For purposes of this chapter, a unit has been newly constructed if the city determines that fifty (50) percent or more of the building has been constructed or replaced within a one-year period. The determination of whether the construction or replacement is at least fifty (50) percent may be based on the linear length of all existing walls, square footage of the building, percentage of altered construction, actual construction valuation, or any combination of these factors.

B. A rental housing unit that is determined to be exempt pursuant to subsection A of this section, shall become subject to the requirements of this chapter if a notice and order relating to the rental housing property is issued pursuant to the provisions of this code.

C. Any rental housing unit subject to the requirements of this chapter pursuant to subsection B of this section, shall become exempt from the requirements of this chapter if all of the following circumstances exist:

1. After the last inspection conducted pursuant to this chapter, the inspector determines that either no violations exist on the property or the violations identified were abated within thirty (30) days; and

2. The property owner is not delinquent on any payment to the city of fees, penalties, taxes or any other monies related to the property. (Ord. 2013-0013 § 1; Ord. 2008-012 § 1)

A. The following fees are established and shall be imposed upon the 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 8.120.180.

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 8.120.080.

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 8.120.080. 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 8.120.100. 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 8.120.120. 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. 2013-0013 § 1; Ord. 2008-055 § 8; Ord. 2008-012 § 1)

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 director. (Ord. 2013-0013 § 1)