ARTICLE 5A. RENTAL HOUSING OCCUPANCY CERTIFICATES

8-5A01. OCCUPANCY CERTIFICATE REQUIRED.

No real estate may be rented or leased within the city limits without a valid and current occupancy certificate.

(Code 1987, 4-601; Code 2008)

8-5A02. REQUIREMENTS.

Before an occupancy certificate is issued by the city clerk, the city building inspector shall first certify to the clerk that he or she has inspected the premises, and found the water, sewer, electrical, plumbing, and heating systems in workable condition and good repair. Requests for inspection shall be made 24 business hours in advance. (Code 2014, 4-602)

8-5A03. DURATION.

Once obtained, an occupancy certificate shall be valid until occupancy changes, when a new certificate must be obtained. (Code 1987, 4-603)

8-5A04. APPEAL.

If the owner disagrees with a ruling of the building inspector, the owner may appeal the decision of the inspector to the city council. The decision of the council shall be final. (Code 1987, 4-604)

8-5A05. FEE.

The owner of the real estate shall pay a fee of $25 to the city clerk before the clerk shall issue an occupancy certificate.

(Code 1987, 4-605; Code 2008)

8-5A06. PENALTY.

The penalty for the violation of Article 5A in failing to secure an occupancy certificate shall be a fine of up to $100.00 for a first violation, up to $250.00 for a second violation, up to $500.00 for a third violation and up to $1,000.00 for a fourth or subsequent violation. It is the intent of this section that violations by owners shall be cumulative whether the violation occurs on the same real estate or different rented or leased real estate owned by the same person.

(Ord. 2002-01, Sec. 1)