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Rental-registry program reports registrations, inspections and compliance gains
Summary
City staff reported roughly 3,700 registered rental units, about 1,700 inspections completed, 2,220 violations recorded and roughly 1,600 corrected. Staff said the program has improved unit safety and exceeded initial revenue projections but recommended ordinance tool updates for enforcement and reinspection fees.
Fire Department staff and rental-registry program managers told the council on May 4 that the city’s rental-registry program, launched in 2024, has registered thousands of units and is driving inspections and repairs.
Chief/battalion chief and fire marshal Chuck Chrisman summarized the program goals: "the goal of this program... is to make sure that our housing is safe for the folks that are renting, within the community." Staff reported roughly 3,700 registered units (unique addresses mapped to about 3,800 units once large multi‑unit buildings are included), about 1,700 inspected addresses, and 2,220 violations recorded during inspections. Of those violations, staff said about 1,600 have been corrected and the program has issued roughly 200 certificates of compliance.
Staff acknowledged significant operational challenges during the first full renewal cycle — including online portal programming errors, renewal-notification delivery to spam folders, and last-minute owner activity — but said they expect improved operations next year and recommended adding enforcement tools such as reinspection fees or graduated penalties for repeat missed inspections. Finance staff also reported that outstanding registration revenue shown in an earlier memo had fallen from approximately $140,000 to about $75,000 as payments were processed; staff said revenue projections for FY26 have been exceeded.
Councilors asked about the sunset clause for preexisting short‑term rentals and possible ordinance updates; staff suggested bringing ordinance amendments and enforcement options back for council consideration as part of the FY27 work plan.
