A bill that will have needed registration for rental properties was defeated by the Board of Aldermen on a 7-1 vote Tuesday night. Only Aldermen Mark Colombo voted in favor.
The registry would have known those properties being rented out and provided contact info on property owners. A rental house inspection program would have ensured code enforcement. However, some aldermen said they believed the process would be too expensive and long for the limited variety of rental properties within the city.
A bill to amend the permit fees for occupancy inspections was approved. an occupancy permit is needed any time the occupancy of a home changes or for brand new construction. A $25 filing fee is already charged for the initial inspection and 2 re-inspections, except for property that's occupied without an occupancy permit, the fee for an inspection will be $75. Also, the zoning code to control extended stay lodges, hotels and corporate apartments was amended to limit stays to thirty consecutive days. Previously, there was no limit on the length of stay.