HomeMy WebLinkAboutPED 2020-05-18 Item 1A - COVID-19 - Resolution to Waive Late Fees Associated with Residential Rental Business License and Inspection Program Through 2020City of Tukwila
Allan Ekberg, Mayor
INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM
TO: Planning and Economic Development Committee
FROM: Jack Pace, Community Development
BY: Kia Shagena, Code Enforcement Officer
CC: Mayor Ekberg
DATE: May 13, 2020
SUBJECT: Resolution to Amend Rental Housing Program Fee Schedule
ISSUE
Amend Rental Business License and Inspection Program Fee Schedule (Resolution 1946) to
waive 2020 late fees in response to COVID-19 pandemic.
BACKGROUND
In order to ensure safe and healthy housing for tenants, Tukwila requires all owners of
residential rental property to obtain an annual Rental Business License and an inspection of
every unit once every four years. This applies to large multi -family developments all the way
down to single-family houses, condominiums and accessory dwelling units, which are rented to
tenants. These licenses are renewed annually. There are currently approximately 600 rental
business licenses for 4182 residential units. Out of 600 licenses approximately 100 are overdue
and subject to late fees.
On February 29, 2020 Washington Governor Inslee declared a state of emergency in response
to the COVID-19 pandemic. On March 23, 2020 Governor Inslee issued a statewide "Stay
Home, Stay Healthy" order. The impacts of this public health crisis have resulted in widespread
economic hardship. Additionally, it is anticipated that inspections that are due by September
could be delayed to due social distancing requirements.
DISCUSSION
The Rental Housing Program has two types of late fees:
1) $10 monthly late fee for late license renewals. Late renewal fees apply to rental licenses
that have not been renewed by March 1.
2) $10 monthly late fee for late rental inspections. Late inspection fees apply to rental
licenses that have not been inspected and or (inspection results submitted to the City) by
September 30.
Removal of 2020 Rental Housing Program late fees is in alignment with the City's response to
the COVID-19 pandemic, similar to City's interim policies to waive utility late fees.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The proposed removal of 2020 late fees from the rental license program fee schedule will waive
approximately $3480 in current late fees owed and will stop the future assessment of late fees
for the duration of 2020.
INFORMATIONAL MEMO
Page 2
RECOMMENDATION
The Council is being asked to approve the amended resolution and consider this item at the
June 8, 2020 Committee of the Whole meeting and the subsequent June 15th, 2020 Regular
Meeting consent agenda.
ATTACHMENTS
Draft Residential Rental Licensing Fee Resolution
https://tukwilawa.sharepoint.com/sites/mayorsoffice/cc/Council Agenda Items/DCD/Rental Housing Fee Resolution -00VID-19/InfoMemo_RHP_C0VlD19-
Amending2020FeeSchedule.docx
2
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, AMENDING RESOLUTION NO.
1946 TO WAIVE LATE FEES ASSOCIATED WITH THE
RESIDENTIAL RENTAL BUSINESS LICENSE AND
INSPECTION PROGRAM THROUGH 2O20 IN RESPONSE
TO IMPACTS OF THE NOVEL CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19).
WHEREAS, the City established a Residential Rental Business License and
Inspection Program in 2010, as codified at Tukwila Municipal Code Chapter 5.06; and
WHEREAS, the City adopted a Residential Rental Business License and
Inspection Program fee schedule for 2020, pursuant to Resolution No 1946; and
WHEREAS, on February 29, 2020, Washington Governor Jay Inslee declared a
State of Emergency in response to new cases of COVID-19, directing agencies to
use all resources necessary to prepare for and respond to the outbreak; and
WHEREAS, on March 23, 2020, Governor Inslee issued the "Stay Home — Stay
Healthy" order; and
WHEREAS, the impact of this public health crisis has caused widespread
economic hardship; and
WHEREAS, waiving late fees associated with the Residential Rental Business
License and Inspection Program through 2020 may provide economic relief to
residential rental property owners;
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA,
WASHINGTON, HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
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Section 1. Resolution No. 1946 is hereby amended to revise the Residential
Rental Business License and Inspection Program fee schedule to waive late fees
through 2020 as shown in the following schedule:
RESIDENTIAL RENTAL BUSINESS LICENSE AND INSPECTION FEES
DESCRIPTION
2020
LICENSE
Annual Residential Rental Business License:
Property with one, two, three or four units
$ 75.00
Property with 5 to 20 units
$195.00
Property with 21 to 50 units
$245.00
Property with 51 or more units
$305.00
Late foe per month if existing licence is net renewed before March 'I *
$1 n 00
Penalty fee if a new unit is leased before a license and inspection is obtained
$ 50.00
Inspection fee per unit (City inspector)
$ 60.00
Re -inspection fee per unit (City inspector)
$ 60.00
Late fee per per menth if Inspection GheGklist is net by
$1 n 00
w � �+ �+�+
unit, submitted
September `i0 of the year it is due*
Hearing Examiner appeal fee
$340.00
*Late fees waived through 2020
Section 2. Effective Date. The amended fee schedule contained herein shall be
effective as of June 16, 2020.
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, at
a Regular Meeting thereof this day of 12020.
ATTEST/AUTH ENTICATED:
Christy O'Flaherty, MMC, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM BY:
Office of the City Attorney
De'Sean Quinn, Council President
Filed with the City Clerk:_
Passed by the City Council:
Resolution Number:
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