Title
Updating Chapter 13 of the Administrative Code (Title I) pertaining to Department of Safety and Inspections.
Body
Section 1
WHEREAS, under City RES 18-1204, the seated City Council acknowledged “the housing crisis” in our city and region, and the urgent need to address the crisis as our population grows,”; and
WHEREAS, the 2040 Comprehensive Plan identifies decent, safe, and healthy housing for all City of Saint Paul (“City”) residents, fair and equitable access to housing for all City residents, stable rental housing, and improved access to affordable housing as 4 of 7 housing goals; and
WHEREAS, under City ORD 25-31, the seated City Council voted to pass Ordinance 25-31 Creating Chapter 193 of the Legislative Code (Title XIX) pertaining to Tenant Protections; and
WHEREAS, these tenant protection laws establish new rights, standards, and procedures affecting landlords, tenants, and housing providers, and require administrative oversight, education, and enforcement to ensure effective implementation; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Safety and Inspections is the City department responsible for enforcing housing and property maintenance regulations and is therefore the appropriate entity to administer, implement, and enforce these tenant protection provisions on behalf of the City of Saint Paul. Now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Saint Paul does hereby ordain:
Section 2
Chapter 13 of the Saint Paul Administrative Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
(i) Rent stabilization. Tenant Protections. The department of safety and inspections shall have duties related to rent stabilization tenant protections, as codified at Legislative Code Chapter 193 and Chapter 193A. These duties are in addition to departmental duties outlined elsewhere in administrative code chapter 13, and must include the following:
(1) Promulgate rules that:
a. Prescribe a uniform process for landlords to request exceptions to the limitation on rent increases.
b. Define what constitutes a "reasonable return on investment" under Legislative Code Chapter 193A.05.
c. Define a uniform process for appeals related to a landlord's request for exceptions to the limitation on rent increases.
(2) Investigate complaints and process landlord requests submitted pursuant to Legislative Code Chapter 193 and Chapter 193A.
(3) Define a uniform process for intake, investigation and resolution of complaints related to violations of Legislative Code Chapter 193 and Chapter 193A.
(4) Appear at appeal hearings, provide staff reports and recommendations when necessary.
(5) Hire staff necessary to implement and enforce Legislative Code Chapter 193 and Chapter 193A.
Section 3
This Ordinance will take effect and be in force thirty (30) days following passage, approval, and publication.