Council asked to review tougher multifamily standards after repeat low ratings and recent fires

City staff told the Arlington City Council on June 24 they are compiling research on multifamily housing standards and enforcement and recommended a deeper committee review after board members raised safety concerns. Nora Coronado (asset management) said staff are assembling comparative research on apartment regulations used in other cities and can bring a deeper review to a council committee. She noted the program mixes annual inspections, required training workshops and enforcement actions. Council members referenced recent building fires and shootings in multifamily complexes and urged stricter application of standards. Council member Boxall pressed staff about next steps and requested that the new fire marshal and the fire chief be included in future discussions. Fire Chief Brett Stedham confirmed an internal appointment for the fire-marshal role and said the department will participate in the ordinance review. Coronado and the chief said the city’s current program includes an education requirement (annual workshops) plus enforcement actions for life-safety violations. Staff said the grading program flags properties for follow-up. When a property receives repeated low scores staff will evaluate dangerous-structure procedures and other enforcement options; Council member Hogg asked staff to return with more stringent measures. Staff recommended committee-level review (Community & Neighborhood Development or similar) to tailor any changes and examine other cities’ approaches.