TO: Mayor and City Commission
FROM: Cale Curtis, City Manager
DATE: May 5, 2021
Title
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MARGATE, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 9, ADDING NEW ARTICLE V, ENTITLED "RESIDENTIAL RENTAL UNIT INSPECTION PROGRAM"; PROVIDING FOR PURPOSE AND INTENT; PROVIDING FOR DEFINITIONS; PROVIDING FOR APPLICATION; PROVIDING FOR INSPECTION; PROVIDING FOR FEES; PROVIDING FOR ENFORCEMENT; PROVIDING FOR PENALTIES; PROVIDING FOR DISPUTE; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Body
BACKGROUND: This proposed ordinance is in response to the City Commission's concerns and recognition of the impact from the increased long-term rentals of single-family units throughout the City. This ordinance would ensure that the City has current contact information to notify the appropriate parties of emergencies and/or code violations at these properties. This proposed ordinance also provides for property inspections to address substandard maintenance of long-term rental properties, promote greater compliance with the City's Property Maintenance Standards, protect property values, and preserve the quality of neighborhoods and available housing.
If this ordinance is approved, a fee schedule is to be provided for by resolution of the City Commission. This proposed ordinance has been amended at second reading, to provide for clarification of the late fee by deletion of the word "annual". A monthly $20.00 monthly late fee has been included in the proposed fee schedule resolution, to encourage compliance rather than additional code enforcement action.
The program implementation goals include City promotion/marketing of the program between May - June 2021, staffing and training between July - September 2021, registrations to start July 2021, an initial 6-month window for homes to come into compliance with the new program, and start enforcement and late fees as of January 1, 2022. Online...
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