Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Housing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Des Moines adopts overhaul of rental-maintenance code to speed enforcement and require landlord outreach
Summary
Council adopted a repeal-and-replace of Chapter 60 to strengthen rental-property maintenance enforcement, set an effective date and directed staff to provide translated materials and outreach to landlords prior to implementation.
The City Council voted to repeal and replace Chapter 60 of the municipal code, a comprehensive rewrite intended to speed enforcement, clarify rental-licensing requirements and address blighted rental properties.
Dalton Chacovis, identified as the Neighborhood Inspections Division administrator, described operational changes that will empower inspectors to push for compliance and include a language-line phone number with enforcement notices. He said the department will attach appeal forms to enforcement notices and is planning outreach and training materials for landlords, with an effective date proposed for Jan. 15 to allow three months of landlord notification and education.
Council members stressed the need to balance robust enforcement against life-safety issues with patience and technical assistance for small or non-English-speaking property owners. One council member urged a public-facing searchable portal for inspection and contact information to increase transparency.
After discussion about enforcement discretion, appeal rights and landlord training, the council approved Item 55 by voice vote 7–0. Staff said they would distribute a memo summarizing changes to all rental-license holders before the effective date and explore a landlord-academy training program.
