By By JOHN EBY / Dowagiac Daily News
A rental property ordinance introduced Monday night before Dowagiac Planning Commission culminates a five-year plan to address city housing issues.
Planners reviewed the administration proposal and recommended it to City Council for action.
The 15-page ordinance would require a one-time $15 registration and fee (per owner) of each rental structure and dwelling in Dowagiac.
That payment would be sufficient for as long as the property's ownership did not change.
It requires that owners of each rental structure and dwelling pay a fee and have a regular $110 inspection of the property completed every two years, with each additional unit charged at $40.
As an incentive from feedback provided by the landlords association, the ordinance allows for an additional year between inspections if rental property is found to be in substantial compliance with housing requirements.
It sets minimum maintenance standards for both interior and exterior of rental properties.
It defines specific responsibilities for both the owner and tenant(s) of each rental unit.
The ordinance incorporates the same basic standards presently used for complaint-based housing inspections. These include the Dowagiac Exterior Property Maintenance Code and the 2000 International Property Maintenance Code.
It also sets forth an appeals process for property owners to follow.
Revenue generated by fees will be used to fully support the staff needed to implement this initial $37,400-a-year program.
Nelson noted that the ordinance faces another public hearing and two readings before City Council adoption. The ordinance is anticipated to be in effect June 1.