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Belleville officials call illegal apartment conversions an "epidemic," form ad hoc subcommittee
Summary
Code enforcement and community-development staff told council the town is seeing a surge of unpermitted basement, attic and shed dwellings and short-term rentals, raising fire‑safety and overcrowding concerns. Council agreed to form an ad hoc subcommittee to explore registration, inspections and enforcement options.
Nick DeAngelis, director of community development, told the council his office is handling a rising volume of complaints about illegal apartments — ranging from attic and basement units to people living in sheds — and called the situation "an epidemic." He described a four‑month backlog of reports and enforcement challenges, including owners refusing entry and limited staff resources.
"It's illegal apartments. They're throughout the town," DeAngelis said. "I call it an epidemic." He cited safety risks: attic and basement apartments that could become deadly in a fire, overcrowding that strains infrastructure and increases emergency calls, and extensive parking impacts. DeAngelis urged the council to form a subcommittee to brainstorm ordinances, rental‑certification mechanisms and partnerships with police and fire to gather enforceable evidence.
Council members discussed possible registration or rental‑inspection requirements, tying parking permits to inspections, and working with local realtors and the police to identify problem properties. The council voted to create an ad hoc committee to develop options and report back at a future meeting.
