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Council reviews package to adopt 2021 property-maintenance code and a four-tier placard system
Summary
City staff presented three draft ordinances to update Chapter 1460 to the 2021 International Property Maintenance Code, introduce a four-tier notice/placard system (white/yellow/pink/red and a new black placard for make-safe demolition), and change rental-registry rules including posting of certificates and an administrative waiver for monthly red-tag monitoring fees.
City staff presented a package of draft ordinances Feb. 23 proposing updates to Chapter 1460 and adoption of the 2021 International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC), along with changes to rental-registry and on-property notice practices.
Raleigh Van Fawson, who led the presentation with Deputy City Attorney Matt Staples, said the city currently follows the 2015 IPMC and is updating to the 2021 edition after the state adopted the 2021 building code. The package includes a procedural clarification naming the city’s code official (or their designee) and administrative changes to enforcement protocols.
The most visible element in the draft ordinance is a new, multi-tiered public-notice system. Staff proposed white notices for suspected unregistered rentals posted on the property; yellow notices for units that fail rental inspections; continued use of pink tags as an escalation step; red placards to mark properties unsafe for occupancy; and bringing back a black placard to identify properties that meet the standard for expedited make-safe demolition under the IPMC. According to staff, white and yellow notices are intended to make the status of a property visible immediately to neighbors and prospective tenants rather than relying solely on mailed notices.
On the monitoring-fee policy, staff described an administrative waiver program for the monthly red‑tag monitoring fee that can be requested in advance if an owner demonstrates active repair work — for example, an open building, plumbing, electrical, or mechanical permit with evidence of scheduled inspections. Staff said the waiver may be requested monthly as long as construction progress is documented.
Council members questioned whether the new tiered approach adds complexity and whether it should be folded into fewer categories. Staff defended the change as improving transparency and providing clearer signals to the public about safety and compliance without immediately escalating to eviction or demolition procedures.
The package also contains changes to the rental registry: clarifying who qualifies for two- versus three-year certificates, requiring unpaid fees (including property taxes) to be cleared before registration or inspection, requiring posting of a rental certificate on-site, and obligating landlords to provide tenant-resource materials at occupancy. Staff said these changes aim to prioritize life-safety hazards while giving tenants clearer information about property certification.
Council and staff agreed to refer the ordinances back to the Public Safety Committee for further review and the schedule anticipates a possible council vote after committee consideration.
The council did not take final action on the ordinances on Feb. 23; the matter was referred for committee review and further public hearing scheduling.
