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Council to refine rental housing code to address infestations; public health to advise
Summary
Council reviewed proposed rental-housing ordinance changes to explicitly cover infestations such as bed bugs and asked public health to attend the next meeting. Staff said the change could be limited to sanitation/infestation language or specify pests; the ordinance requires multiple readings.
Manchester — Councilors agreed to move forward with refinements to the city's rental-housing code to better address infestations, including bed bugs, and asked public health staff to advise on workable language and enforcement.
Council members and staff noted that the existing ordinance covers vermin and rodents but does not clearly call out bed bugs or insect infestations; last time the state did not classify bed bugs as a nuisance in the relevant code, complicating enforcement. Staff reported they consulted with legal counsel and proposed adding a provision on infestations or the phrase "sanitary conditions and free of infestation," and asked the public-health representative to join the next council meeting to recommend operational enforcement steps and collection/clean-up protocols.
Councilors discussed practical issues such as disposal of contaminated furniture and coordination with transfer-station procedures so that contaminated items are handled in a way that does not spread infestations. The mayor and several members indicated the ordinance could move through its required readings on an accelerated schedule if language is clarified and public-health guidance is provided.
