Item Coversheet
City of Independence
AGENDA ITEM COVER SHEET
BILL NO. 23-108Moved to January 8 Study Session

Agenda Title:

23-108 2R An ordinance amending Article 15 of Chapter 4 Rental Ready Program to be effective January 1, 2024.  
Recommendations:

Staff recommends approval.

Executive Summary:

This amendment to Chapter 4 of the City Code would require the landlord of a rental dwelling to have a valid business license before utility service is provided to that rental dwelling.

Background:

On September 6, 2016, the City Council passed Ordinance No. 18637 enacting a new Article 15, Rental Ready Program, to Chapter 4 of the City Code, pertaining to business licensing and inspection requirements for rental properties.  The goals of the program are to protect the health, safety and welfare of residents, maintain attractive and desirable neighborhoods, and ensure minimum standards for the interior of residential buildings. 

 

On October 9, 2023, the City presented information on the enforcement of unlicensed landlords.  In recent years, a large number of rental properties have been transferred to new owners and these new owners have not registered the rental units with the City in accordance with the Rental Ready Program. 

 

This amendment would add the requirement that a landlord of a rental dwelling must have a valid business license before utility service would be provided to that rental dwelling.  In addition, if the landlord operates as a Limited Liability Company (LLC), said business will be required to file with the City a valid LLC registration in accordance with RSMo 347.048 prior to a customer seeking utility service to a rental dwelling.  This LLC registration lists the name and street address of at least one natural person who has management control and responsibility for the property owned, leased or rented by the LLC.

 

Staff believes the proposed amendment will better serve our community, help gain compliance with the Rental Ready Program requirement and to ensure the goals of the Rental Ready Program are achieved. 



Fiscal Impact:

The revenue generated by this new requirement will be deposited in account 4460 in the General Fund.



Department:          Community DevelopmentContact Person:          Tom Scannell


REVIEWERS:
DepartmentAction
Community Development DepartmentApproved

Council Action:          Council Action:         

ATTACHMENTS:
DescriptionType
Draft OrdinanceOrdinance
City Code ChangesBackup Material