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Commission adopts 2021 International Property Maintenance Code to update city rental inspections
Summary
The City Commission adopted the 2021 International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) to replace an older code, standardizing rental property inspections and updating requirements including carbon monoxide detectors and cleanable kitchen/bathroom flooring; inspectors outlined inspection cadence tied to violations.
The City Commission on April 8 voted to adopt the 2021 edition of the International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) for application in the city’s rental and property maintenance enforcement.
Public Safety Director Tim Coles introduced the item and said the city had been operating under an older property maintenance code. Catherine Leonard from the inspection office explained inspection and certificate procedures: initial inspections are scheduled within about 30 days of an application; if violations are found and then corrected, landlords receive a three‑year certificate of compliance; if there are no violations on the first inspection, landlords receive a six‑year certificate. "If there are violations, you get a 3 year certificate. If there are no violations, you get a 6 year certificate," Leonard said.
Leonard highlighted substantive updates in the 2021 code the department intends to enforce, including a strengthened requirement for carbon monoxide detectors and a requirement that kitchens and bathrooms have cleanable floors (no carpeting in those rooms). Staff said the code is more user‑friendly and consolidates requirements in one place. The city’s rental‑inspection program manager described complaint and re‑inspection timelines—some violations require 24‑hour correction, others 7, 14 or longer depending on severity—and the office’s tenant complaint form and follow‑up process.
Commissioners thanked staff for outreach and study. The commission adopted the 2021 IPMC by roll call vote; staff said they will move to implement the updated inspection processes and communicate changes to landlords and tenants.
