Haysville adopts residential building standards ordinance to regulate rental housing conditions

The Haysville City Council approved an ordinance establishing residential building standards that apply to non‑owner‑occupied dwellings, including rental houses and apartments, to protect health, safety and welfare.

Tony (public works) presented the ordinance and said it would require basic living standards such as adequate sanitary facilities, plumbing, heating, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, trash service, and freedom from insect and rodent infestations. The ordinance defines substandard dwellings (unsafe structures, hazardous electrical or mechanical systems, inadequate sanitation) and places responsibility for compliance on property owners regardless of lease terms. Enforcement authority is assigned to the public works department with municipal court remedies available.

In presenting the ordinance, Tony told the council that without a code the city is often limited to advising tenants that issues are civil landlord‑tenant disputes; the ordinance will give staff tools to provide meaningful assistance in cases of unsafe or unhealthy living conditions. Council members asked whether the ordinance would require periodic inspections; staff said inspection cadence could be adjusted and that similar requirements exist in nearby jurisdictions.

Councilman Grama moved to approve the ordinance establishing a residential building standards code for the city of Haysville; the motion carried by roll call vote.

Why it matters: The ordinance creates a municipal enforcement path for unsafe rental housing and clarifies owner responsibility. City staff said the change is driven by resident reports of unsafe living conditions where existing remedies were limited.

Implementation: The ordinance authorizes inspections and enforcement by the public works department; specifics on inspection frequency or fees were not set during the meeting and staff invited council feedback on those program details.