Agenda Workshop - 12/10/07
CITY Of WOODBURN
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
DECEMBER 10, 2007 - 7:00 P.M.
KATHRYN FIGLEY, MA YOR
W ALTER NICHOLS, COUNCILOR WARD 1
RICHARD BJELLAND, COUNCILOR WARD II
PETER MCCALLUM, COUNCILOR WARD III
JAMES COX, COUNCILOR WARD IV
FRANK LONERGAN, COUNCILOR WARD V
ELlDA SIFUENTEZ, COUNCILOR WARD VI
CITY HALL COUNCil CHAMBERS - 270 MONTGOMERY STREET
6:00 PM - WORKSHOP
1. DRAFT HOUSING CODE
7:00 PM - REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
1. CALL TO ORDER AND FLAG SALUTE
2. ROLL CALL
3. ANNOUNCEMENTS AND APPOINTMENTS
Announcements:
A. Holiday Closures:
Christmas: City Hall and the library will close at noon on
December 24 and will reopen for regular business hours on
December 26. The Aquatic Center will be closed on December
24 and 25.
New Year's: City Hall and the Library will be closed on
January 1. The Aquatic Center will be closed December 31 and
January 1 .
B. The Community Services Department is updating the City's Parks
and Recreation Master Plan. A public meeting will be held on
Thursday, December 13, at 7:00 pm in the Library multi-purpose
room to review the results of the focus group sessions with key
stakeholders that are being held tomorrow and Wednesday. All
interested community members are encouraged to attend the
December 13 meeting and provide feedback.
C. Carleton Hart Architecture will present its report on the feasibility
of expanding the aquatic center, and for constructing a stand-
alone cultural arts and community center at the January 14,
2008, City Council meeting. All interested community members
are encouraged to attend, or to watch the report on WCAT.
"Habra interpretes oisponibles para aquellas personas que no bablan Ingles, previo acueroo. Comuniquese
al (503)980-2485:'
December 10, 2007
Council Agenda
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December 10, 2007
FROM:
Honorable Mayor and City Council J!J
John C. Brown, City Administrato~V
TO:
SUBJECT:
Housing Ordinance
RECOMMENDATION:
Consider the attached rental housing ordinance discussion draft, and provide
direction to staff as appropriate.
BACKGROUND:
The City Council has discussed a housing ordinance during its goal setting
sessions since 2003. Although it was not added to the Council's formal list of
goals until 2007, staff indicated in earlier sessions the matter would be addressed
as time and resources permitted. The housing ordinance has been included in
City Attorney department goals since 2005-06 budget, but took a back-seat to
other more pressing matters, as it awaited administrative analysis in other
departments. The City Attorney's goals for 2007-08 provide a December 31,
2007 completion date for an ordinance.
Council's early discussions regarding a housing ordinance explored the
consensus that might exist regarding the desirability of property maintenance
regulations beyond those provided by the Dangerous Building Ordinance.
Subsequent discussions delved into protecting tenants from substandard
housing conditions due to lack of maintenance and/or structural deficiencies.
Staff was asked to review models, such as the Uniform Housing Code for the
purpose of customizing them to fit Woodburn's needs. Staff was also asked to
provide an analysis of the impact on city staff and financial resources. By
January 2007, the Council's focus was refined to structural condition.
In 2004, Building Division staff attempted to quantify the workload and fiscal
impacts of implementing a housing ordinance. They determined staff time and
city costs would depend on the scope of the program, and the difficulty
encountered in obtaining compliance from property owners. Although that
Agenda Item Review: City Administrato _
City Attorney
Finance
Honorable Mayor and City Council
December 10, 2007
Page 2
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analysis was not sufficient to assist in a Council decision at that time, it remains
true that workload and fiscal impact will be determined by the scope of
enforcement.
staff has also pointed out that protections and enforcement authorities already
exist, in the form of the Dangerous Buildings Ordinance, the Nuisance
Ordinance, and Oregon tenant/landlord relations law.
DISCUSSION:
The attached ordinance was prepared relying on assumptions based on my
discussions with the City Council and staff. Those assumptions are:
. The City Council wants to insure decent housing for those who rent from
others and have little or no choice in how a structure is maintained
. Enforcement should be limited to habitable, residential, structures
. Duplication of, or overlap with, other programs should be avoided
. An ordinance should be internally consistent and consistent with other
legal authorities
. Enforcement should be conducted using Code Enforcement Officers,
City or County Building Division staff should be used as a supporting
resource
. Enforcement procedures should mirror those used to abate other
nuisances
. The financial cost of the program should be borne by its beneficiaries
Most of these assumptions are a policy choice. As I view it, however, there are
two major policy choices, beyond the fundamental question of "does a need
exist for this ordinance?" which I'll address in greater detail later in this report.
These are breadth of application and financial responsibility.
Staff examined four options for developing a housing ordinance: adopt the
Uniform Housing Code, modified to address the foregoing assumptions; adopt
the International Property Maintenance Code, modified to address the forgoing
assumptions; adopt the housing code of another City, modified to address the
foregoing assumptions; or develop an entirely new ordinance. As the first three
options can be implemented more efficiently, the last option was not pursued.
As additional background, the Uniform Housing Code (UHCI was last updated in
1997. It was superseded by the International Property Maintenance Code
(IPMC), the current version was adopted in 2006. The UHC was authored by the
Honorable Mayor and City Council
December 10, 2007
Page 3
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International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO) based on the Uniform
Buildinq Code (UBC). The ICBO then coordinated a code update with two
other regional organizations and developed a new set of national model codes.
This collaboration by the three major code groups resulted in the formation of
the International Code Council and the creation of the International Buildinq
Code, which replaced the UBC as the predominant model building ordinance.
The IPMC is the successor to the UHC, based on the International Building Code.
The City of Woodburn has adopted the State of Oregon Structural Specialty
Code (OSSC) and the State of Oregon Residential Specialty Code (ORSC).
These codes are compatible with the International Code Council documents
established in the IBC.
The change from UHC to IPMC does not prevent Woodburn from adopting the
UHC. That the code was superseded, however, combined with other factors,
led staff to recommend a different model for a Woodburn ordinance. Those
factors can be enumerated at your request, but generally can be characterized
as inconsistencies or overlap with the WDO, and dangerous building and
nuisance ordinances; procedures that differ significantly from those utilized for
other City abatement activities; references to the UBC and Uniform Mechanical
Code that are no longer pertinent; standards higher than the OSSC and ORSC
adopted by the City, and those outside the City's authority to enforce; and
designation of responsibility to departments and officials that do not exist within
the City organization.
As successor to the UHC, the IPMC was also evaluated by staff as the model for
a housing ordinance. Factors weighing against that recommendation can also
be enumerated. In general, however, staff found the IPMC presented some of
the same kind of problems as the UHC. And it applies to all structures, not just
those used for habitation.
In its analysis of the ordinances used in other Oregon cities, staff found the same
model is being used effectively in Corvallis, Portland, and Tigard and applies
only to rental housing. This same model has more recently been adopted in
Eugene, where it is also being used effectively. The attached ordinance is
based on that model, modified to address Woodburn assumptions, particularly
those related to process. Staff believes the attached ordinance, when
combined with existing ordinances and State law provides the protection
contemplated by the Council, and addresses the assumption upon which it was
developed. It is presented for your consideration, discussion, and further
direction.
Honorable Mayor and City Council
December 10, 2007
Page 4
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In summary, the ordinance:
. Provides only minimum habitability criteria, enumerating standards for:
o structural integrity
o Plumbing
o Heating
o Weatherproofing
o Chimneys
o Stairs, handrails, porches, and guardrails
o Windows
o Doors
o Smoke detectors; and
o Addressing
It:
. Applies to only, but all, rental housing in the City of Woodburn including
apartments multi-plexes and single family units
· Exempts hotels and motels; hospitals, nursing care, and medical facilities,
group homes and manufactured dwellings in a manufactured dwelling
park
. Supplements the Oregon Residential Landlord and Tenant Act
. Compliments, rather than overlaps, City Nuisance and Dangerous
Buildings ordinances
. Provides the same due process to those who are subject to enforcement,
and follows the same abatement process as other City nuisance
ordinances.
· Establishes a fee, to be imposed on the owner of each rental unit, to
recover the cost of enforcement. The fee would be updated as part of
an annually review of the Master Fee Schedule, based on preceding
year's costs.
If adopted, staff proposes to administer this ordinance on a complaint-driven
basis, using code enforcement staff as the primary contact. Depending on
complexity of a case, building division staff, or the county building division staff,
might serve as technical resources. The number of complaints to be addressed
each year is unpredictable. It is the experience in other jurisdictions, however,
that enforcement activities will tail off as landlords become more familiar with
their responsibilities and as problems are corrected.
Beyond the fundamental question of "is there a need for this ordinance," are
the questions of how broadly should the ordinance be applied - all buildings, all
residential structures whether owner occupied or rented, or only to rental units -
Honorable Mayor and City Council
December 10, 2007
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and should the beneficiaries be required to support the cost of enforcement
activities.
Staff recommends the Council limit applicability to rental units only, as tenants
may have little or no control over how a property is maintained. This limitation
would allow owner/occupiers to exercise their choice to live in poorly
maintained structures, a choice that affects neighbors and the surrounding
neighborhood. Limiting enforcement to rental units facilitates the imposition of
program charges to beneficiaries. Imposition of a property-based charge to all
residential units in the City is problematic; an assessment placed on rental
businesses is far less so.
While improving the condition of our rental housing stock benefits the entire
community, the primary beneficiary of this program is the resident. Accordingly,
staff also recommends the Council assess a charge for each rental unit. This
would be a charge to the landlord, to support the cost of the program. The
charge would, presumably, be passed on to the tenant in the form of a rental
assessment. The program will be conducted to control costs, which will be
accounted for each year. It is proposed that the initial assessment be adjusted
annually, to recover the previous year's costs of operation.
A nominal amount of between $5 and $8 per unit is suggested as a starting
point, which might generate between $10,000 to $15,000 in the first year, based
on a loosely estimated 2,000 rental units. Such a sum might be sufficient, if the
number of cases is low, and compliance is quickly obtained. More complicated
cases, on the other hand, such as those requiring adjudication, would easily
consume such sums.
The attached ordinance and this report are intended to prompt additional
discussion regarding the policy considerations identified in this report. If the
Council wants to proceed with the attached ordinance, it is recommended staff
be given the opportunity to review the document with our landlord and
apartment manager community partners, before an ordinance is adopted.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
As previously indicated, the fiscal and workload impacts of this program are
difficult to predict. A complaint driven program will help contain costs by
limiting the number of open cases. The amount of time needed to bring each
case to closure will vary. Based on our Code Enforcement experience,
however, it is expected that most property owners will remedy deficiencies
Honorable Mayor and City Council
December 10, 2007
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when they are notified. Rather than attempt to predict the budgetary
requirements for this program, if the Council chooses to implement the program,
it is recommended that no budgetary or staffing adjustments be made at the
present time. It is recommended that the program be allowed to operate for a
year, before any adjustments are made. It is recommended, however, that fees
become effective with the adoption of the ordinance, to reduce impact to the
general fund.
DISCUSSION DRAFT
COUNCIL BILL NO.
ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE REGULATING RENTAL HOUSING; PROVIDING FOR
ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT; AND SETTING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
THE CITY OF WOODBURN ORDAINS AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Title. This Ordinance shall be known as the "Woodburn Rental
Housing Ordinance."
Section 2. Purpose. The purpose of this Ordinance is to provide
minimum habitability criteria to safeguard health, property and public welfare of
the owners, occupants and users of residential rental buildings.
Section 3. State of Oreaon Residential Landlord and Tenant Act. This
Ordinance is intended to supplement and not conflict with the habitability
standards of the Oregon Residential Landlord and Tenant Act.
Section 4. Scope.
A. Except as described below, these standards shall apply to rental
housing located within the City.
B. Notwithstanding subsection 4A and consistent with the Oregon
Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, the following are exempted from the
application of this Ordinance:
1. Hotels, motels and lodging houses;
2. Hospitals and other medical facilities;
3. Nursing care facilities as defined in the Woodburn
Development Ordinance;
4. Group homes and group care facilities as defined in ORS
Chapter 443; and
5. Manufactured dwellings located in a manufactured dwelling
park that existed on the date of this ordinance.
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ORDINANCE NO.
DISCUSSION DRAFT
Section 5. Definitions. For purposes of this Ordinance, the following
definitions shall apply:
Apartment House. Any building or portion of a building containing three
or more dwelling units, which is designed, built, rented, leased, let, or hired out to
be occupied for residential living purposes.
Building Code. The currently adopted edition of the State of Oregon
Structural Specialty Code and Residential Specialty Code.
Dwelling Unit. A single unit providing complete independent living
facilities for one or more persons including provisions for living, sleeping, eating,
cooking, and sanitation. For purposes of this Ordinance, where portions of a
residential building are occupied under separate rental agreements, but
tenants share eating, cooking, and/or sanitation facilities, each portion under a
separate rental agreement shall be considered a dwelling unit.
Enforcement Officer. A police officer, code enforcement officer or other
city official authorized by the City Administrator to enforce this Ordinance.
Habitable Room. Any room used for sleeping, living, cooking or dining
purposes, but excluding closets, pantries, bath or toilet rooms, hallways,
laundries, storage spaces, utility rooms and similar spaces.
Landlord. The owner, lessor, or sublessor of a dwelling unit.
Mechanical Code. The currently adopted edition of the State of Oregon
Mechanical Specialty Code.
Owner includes a mortgagee in possession and means one or more
persons, jointly or severally, in whom is vested: (a) all or part of the legal title to
property; or (b) all or part of the beneficial ownership and a right to present use
and enjoyment of the premises.
Person. Any natural person, firm, partnership, association or corporation.
Rental Agreement. All agreements, written or oral, concerning the use
and occupancy of a dwelling unit and premises.
Rental Housing. A dwelling unit which is the subject of a rental
agreement.
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ORDINANCE NO.
DISCUSSION DRAFT
Section 6. Standards.
A. structural Inteoritv. Roofs, floors, walls, foundations and all other
structural components shall be capable of resisting any reasonable stresses and
loads to which these components may be subjected. Structural components
shall be of materials allowed or approved at the time of construction by the
Building Code.
B. Plumbino.
1. Plumbing systems shall be installed and maintained in a safe
and sanitary condition and shall be free of defects and leaks.
2. Every plumbing fixture or device shall be properly connected
to a public or an approved private water system and to a public or an
approved private sewer system.
3. All sinks, lavatory basins, bathtubs and showers shall be
supplied with both hot and cold running water and have a water pressure of at
least 15 psi. Every dwelling unit shall be supplied with water heating facilities
which are installed in an approved manner, properly maintained, and properly
connected with hot water lines to all required sinks, lavatory basins, bathtubs
and showers. Water heating facilities shall be capable of heating water enough
to permit an adequate amount of water to be drawn at every required facility
at a temperature of at least 120 degrees at any time needed.
4. In every dwelling unit all plumbing or plumbing fixtures shall
be:
(a) Properly installed, connected, and maintained in good
working order;
(b) Capable of performing the function for which they are
designed; and
(c) Installed and maintained so as to prevent structural
deterioration or health hazards.
C. Heatino.
1 . There shall be a permanently installed heat source with the
ability to provide a room temperature of 68 degrees Fahrenheit three feet
above the floor, measured in the approximate center of the room, in all
habitable rooms.
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ORDINANCE NO.
DISCUSSION DRAFT
2. All heating devices or appliances shall be of an approved
type.
3. Portable heating devices may not be used to meet the
dwelling heat requirements of this Code.
4. Ventilation for fuel-burning heating appliances shall be as
required by the Mechanical Code.
D. Weatherproofina.
1. Roofs, exterior walls, windows and doors shall be maintained
to prevent water leakage into living areas which may cause damage to the
structure or its contents or may adversely affect the health of an occupant.
2. The roof shall be structurally sound, tight, and have no
defects which might admit rain. Roof drainage shall be adequate to prevent
rainwater from causing dampness in the walls or interior portion of the building
and shall channel rainwater in an approved manner to an approved point of
disposal.
E. Chimneys. Every masonry, metal, or other chimney shall remain
adequately supported and free from obstructions and shall be maintained in a
condition which ensures there will be no leakage or backup of noxious gases.
Every chimney shall be reasonably plumb. Loose bricks or blocks shall be
rebonded. Loose or missing mortar shall be replaced. Unused openings into the
interior of the structure must be permanently sealed using approved materials.
F. Stairs and Porches. Every stair, porch, and attachment to stairs or
porches shall be so constructed as to be safe to use and capable of supporting
the loads to which it is subjected and shall be kept in sound condition and good
repair, including replacement as necessary of flooring, treads, risers, and
stringers that evidence excessive wear and are broken, warped, or loose.
G. Handrails and Guardrails. Every handrail and guardrail shall be
firmly fastened, and shall be maintained in good condition, capable of
supporting the loads to which it is subjected, and meet the following
requirements:
1. Handrails and guardrails required by building codes at the
time of construction shall be maintained or, if removed, shall be replaced.
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ORDINANCE NO.
DISCUSSION DRAFT
2. Where not otherwise required by original building codes,
exterior stairs of more than three risers which are designed and intended to be
used as part of the regular access to the dwelling unit shall have handrails.
Interior stairs of more than three risers shall have handrails. When required
handrails are installed they shall be installed so that they meet the applicable
building code requirements in effect at the time this work is being performed.
3. Where not otherwise required by original building codes,
porches, balconies or raised floor surfaces located more than 30 inches above
the floor or grade below shall have guardrails. Open sides of stairs with a total
rise of more than 30 inches above the floor or grade below shall have guardrails.
When required guardrails are installed, they shall be installed so that they meet
the applicable building code requirements in effect at the time this work is
being performed.
H. Windows.
1. Every habitable room shall have at least one window facing
directly to an exterior yard or court. The minimum total glass area for each
habitable room shall be 6.8 percent of the room's floor area, except for
basement rooms where the minimum shall be 5 percent. The exception for
basement windows shall not apply where any occupancy has been changed
or increased contrary to the provisions of this Ordinance.
2. Every habitable room shall have at least one window that
can be easily opened or another approved device to adequately ventilate the
room. Except where another approved ventilation device is provided, the total
openable window area in every habitable room shall be equal to at least one-
fortieth of the area of the room.
3. Every bathroom and toilet compartment shall be provided
with light and ventilation, except that no window shall be required in bathrooms
or toilet compartments equipped with a ventilation system.
4. Each sleeping room shall be provided with a window for
emergency escape or rescue. The window shall have a sill height of no more
than 44 inches above the floor or above an approved, permanently installed
step. The step must not exceed 12 inches in height and must extend the full
width of the window. The top surface of the step must be a minimum of six feet
from the ceiling above the step.
5. Windows in sleeping rooms that are provided to meet
emergency escape or rescue requirements shall have a minimum net clear
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ORDINANCE NO.
DISCUSSION DRAFT
opening of at least 20 inches wide, at least 22 inches high, and, if constructed
after July 1, 1974, at least five square feet in area.
6. Every window required for ventilation or emergency escape
shall be capable of being easily opened and held open by window hardware.
Any installed storm windows on windows required for emergency escape must
be easily openable from the inside without the use of a key or special
knowledge or effort.
7. All windows within ten (10) feet of the exterior grade that
open must be able to be securely latched from the inside as well as be
openable from the inside without the use of a key or any special knowledge or
effort. This same requirement shall apply to all openable windows that face
other locations that are easily accessible from the outside, such as balconies or
fire escapes, regardless of height from the exterior grade.
8. Every window shall be substantially weather-tight, shall be
kept in sound condition and repair for its intended use, and shall comply with
the following:
(a) Every window sash shall be fully supplied with glass
windowpanes or an approved substitute without open cracks and holes.
(b) Every window sash shall be in good condition and fit
weather-tight within its frames.
(c) Every window frame shall be constructed and
maintained in relation to the adjacent wall construction so as to exclude rain as
completely as possible and to substantially exclude wind from entering the
dwelling.
I. Doors.
1. Every dwelling or dwelling unit shall have at least one door
leading to an exterior yard or court, or in the case of a two-family dwelling or
apartment, to an exterior yard or court or to an approved exit. All such doors
shall be openable from the inside without the use of a key or any special
knowledge or effort. All screen doors and storm doors must be easily openable
from the inside without the use of a key or special knowledge or effort.
2. In apartment houses, exit doors in common corridors or other
common passageways shall be openable from the inside with one hand in a
single motion, such as pressing a bar or turning a knob, without the use of a key
or any special knowledge or effort.
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ORDINANCE NO.
DISCUSSION DRAFT
3. Every door to the exterior of a dwelling unit shall be equipped
with a lock designed to discourage unwanted entry and to permit opening from
the inside without the use of a key or any special knowledge or effort.
4. Every exterior door shall comply with the following:
(a) Every exterior door, door hinge, door lock, and strike
plate shall be maintained in good condition.
(b) Every exterior door, when closed, shall fit reasonably
well within its frame and be weather-tight.
(c) Every doorframe shall be constructed and maintained
in relation to the adjacent wall construction so as to exclude rain as completely
as possible, and to substantially exclude wind from entering the dwelling.
5. Every interior door and doorframe shall be maintained in a
sound condition for its intended purpose with the door fitting within the
doorframe.
J. Smoke Detectors. Smoke detectors sensing visible or invisible
particles of combustions or alarms shall be required in all buildings where a room
or area therein is designated for sleeping purposes either as a primary use or use
on a casual basis. Smoke detectors or alarms shall be installed in each sleeping
room or area, in the immediate vicinity of the sleeping rooms and on each
additional story of the dwelling, including basements and attics with habitable
space. All detectors or alarms shall be approved, shall be installed in
accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, shall plainly identify the testing
agency that inspected or approved the device, and shall be operable.
K. Display of Address Number. All dwelling units shall have address
numbers posted in a conspicuous place so they may be read from the listed
street or public way. Address numbers posted shall be the same as the number
listed on the County Assessment and Taxation Records for the property. Units
within apartment houses shall be clearly numbered, or lettered, in a logical and
consistent manner.
L. Overcrowdina. No dwelling unit shall be permitted to be
overcrowded. A dwelling unit shall be considered overcrowded if there are
more residents than one resident, plus one additional resident for every 150
square feet or portion thereof of floor area of the habitable rooms in the
dwelling unit.
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Section 7. Abatement Notice. Whenever a violation of this Ordinance is
found to exist within the corporate limits of the city and the enforcement officer
elects to proceed by abatement, the enforcement officer shall give written
notice, by a type of mail that requires a signed receipt, to the landlord of the
property upon which the violation exists.
Section 8. Abatement. Upon receipt of the notice that a violation exists,
the landlord shall have thirty (30) days to abate the violation.
Section 9. Notice Reauirements. The notice to abate the violation shall
contain the following:
A. An order to abate the violation within thirty (30) days;
B. The location of the violation;
C. A description of what constitutes the violation;
D. A statement that if the violation is not abated within the prescribed
time, the City will seek civil penalties under this Ordinance; and
E. A statement that a person who is dissatisfied with the abatement
notice has the right to judicial review under this Ordinance.
Section 10. Reauest for Judicial Review. The landlord may file a written
request for judicial review in the Woodburn Municipal Court within ten (1 O) days
of the date that the notice to abate was mailed.
Section 11. Reauirements for Reauest. The request for judicial review
need not be in any particular form, but should substantially comply with the
following requirements:
A. Be in writing;
B. Identify the place and nature of the alleged violation;
C. Specify the name and address of the landlord seeking judicial
review; and
D. Identify the enforcement officer alleging that a violation exists.
A copy of the notice shall be served on the enforcement officer.
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ORDINANCE NO.
DISCUSSION DRAFT
Section 12. SchedulinQ of Judicial Review.
A. The judicial review hearing shall be held within ten (10) days after
the request for judicial review is made. The day may be postponed by:
1. Agreement of the parties; or
2. Order of the court for good cause.
B. The court shall promptly notify:
1. The landlord; and
2. The enforcement officer.
Section 13. Judicial Review Hearina. At the judicial review hearing the
City and the landlord shall have the right to present evidence and witnesses
and to be represented by legal counsel at their own expense. After due
consideration of pertinent information and testimony, the court shall make its
findings. The findings shall be based on substantial evidence and shall be final.
Section 14. Notification of Violation. The landlord shall be notified by a
type of mail that requires a signed receipt postmarked no later than five days
after the findings are entered by the court or by personal delivery by a
representative of the City. Upon notification of violation, the landlord shall have
30 days to abate the violation.
Section 15. Enforcement.
A. Inspection and Rioht of Entry. When necessary to investigate a
suspected violation of this Ordinance, the enforcement officer may enter on
any site or into any structure open to the public for the purpose of investigation,
provided entry is done in accordance with law.
B. Civil Infraction. In addition to, and not in lieu of any other
enforcement mechanisms, a violation of any provision of this Ordinance
constitutes a Class I Civil Infraction which shall be processed according to the
procedures contained in the Woodburn Civil Infraction Ordinance.
C. Civil Proceedino Initiated by City Attorney. The City Attorney, after
obtaining authorization from the City Council, may initiate a civil proceeding on
behalf of the city to enforce the provisions of this Ordinance. This civil
proceeding may include, but is not limited to, injunction, mandamus,
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ORDINANCE NO.
DISCUSSION DRAFT
abatement, or other appropriate proceedings to prevent, temporarily or
permanently enjoin or abate any violations of this Ordinance.
Section 16. SeDarate Offenses. Each day during which a violation of this
Ordinance continues shall constitute a separate offense for which a separate
penalty may be imposed.
Section 17. Fee.
A. For the purpose of offsetting costs to the City association with the
enforcement of this Ordinance, an annual fee is imposed by the City Council for
each dwelling unit covered by a rental agreement.
B. The fee for year 2007 shall be $_ per dwelling unit.
C. This fee shall be evaluated on an annual basis and may be
adjusted by the City Council and included in the Woodburn Master Fee
Schedule based upon the costs incurred by enforcement and administration of
this Ordinance.
D. The following unit types, while subject to the standards,
enforcement procedures, and other requirements established in this Ordinance,
shall be exempt from fee payment requirements:
1. Rentals with a recorded deed restriction requiring the units to
be rented affordably to households at or below 50% of the Area Median
Income;
2. Rentals under contract with a public agency that requires the
rental to be inspected at least annually and verifies that the dwelling is rented to
a low income household; and
3. Rentals designated as senior or disabled housing by a public
agency.
E.
request.
The landlord is responsible for paying the annual fee upon written
F. The failure of the landlord to pay the fee constitutes a violation of
this Ordinance.
Section 18. Severabilltv. If any section, paragraph, subdivision, clause,
sentence, or provisions of this Ordinance shall be adjudged by any court of
competent jurisdiction to be unconstitutional or invalid, such judgment shall not
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ORDINANCE NO.
DISCUSSION DRAFT
affect, impair, invalidate, or nullify the remainder of the title, but the effect
thereof shall be confined to the section, paragraph, subdivision, clause,
sentence or provision immediately involved in the controversy in which such
judgment or decree shall be rendered, it being the intent of the governing body
to enact the remainder of this Ordinance notwithstanding the parts to be
declared unconstitutional and invalid.
Section 19. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall be effective on
Approved as to form:
City Attorney
Date
Approved:
Kathryn Figley, Mayor
Passed by the Council
Submitted to the Mayor
Approved by the Mayor
Filed in the Office of the Recorder
ATTEST:
Mary Tennant City Recorder
City of Woodburn, Oregon
Page 11 -COUNCIL BILL NO.
ORDINANCE NO.