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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCDN 2018-10-23 Item 2C - Resolution - 2018-2020 Rental Housing FeesCity of Tukwila Allan Ekberg, Mayor INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM TO: Community Development and Neighborhoods Committee FROM: Jack Pace, DCD Director BY: Kia Shagena, Code Enforcement Officer CC: Mayor Ekberg DATE: October 11, 2018 SUBJECT: Updated Rental Housing Licensing Fees ISSUE Should Tukwila increase its rental housing licensing fees and inspection rate to adjust for inflation in staff costs? BACKGROUND Salaries for represented employees will likely increase in 2019 and 2020 by 90% of the CPI-W (June 2017-2018). The CPI-W for that period is 3.6% and benefit costs have increased by an even higher percentage. DISCUSSION As of October 4, 2018, The Rental Housing Program has 3962 registered rental units, 1482 of those units have passed inspections in 2018, and 91% of all registered units have up to date passing inspections. Nearly 400 units have been added to the Rental Housing Program in 2018. With an increase in units there is increased demand on staff. Staff has found monthly late fees for overdue license renewals to be an effective tool. Currently, there is a flat $20 per unit late inspection fee for all inspections that are past due. Staff has found that a flat fee for late inspections does not create a sense of urgency in property owners to have their units inspected once they are already late. Staff proposes to replace the flat fee with a monthly late fee per unit for overdue inspections. Residential Rental Business License fees for single family homes and all licenses with four or fewer units will remain unchanged for 2019 and will increase by five dollars in 2020. FINANCIAL IMPACT The proposed fee increases will keep pace with the City's costs to provide these necessary services. RECOMMENDATION The Council is being asked to approve the revised resolution and consider this item at the November 5th Regular Meeting consent agenda. ATTACHMENTS Draft Residential Rental Licensing Fee Resolution. 65 66 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, ADOPTING A RESIDENTIAL RENTAL BUSINESS LICENSE AND INSPECTION PROGRAM FEE SCHEDULE; AND REPEALING RESOLUTION NO. 1895. WHEREAS, the City has adopted a Residential Rental Business License and Inspection Program, pursuant to Tukwila Municipal Code Chapter 5.06; and WHEREAS, the program has significantly improved the condition of the City's rental housing stock over the past eight years; and WHEREAS, the City is authorized to impose fees for services rendered; and WHEREAS, the fees for this program are intended to offset most of the cost of providing this service; and WHEREAS, the costs to administer the program have increased since the last fee review in 2016; and WHEREAS, the cost to administer the licensing program increases in proportion to the number of units per site; NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. Residential Rental Business License and Inspection Program fees will be charged according to the following schedule: RESIDENTIAL RENTAL BUSINESS LICENSE AND INSPECTION FEES DESCRIPTION 2018 LICENSE 2019 LICENSE 2020 LICENSE Annual Residential Rental Business License: Property with one, two, three or four units $ 70.00 $ 70.00 $ 75.00 Property with 5 to 20 units $185.00 $190.00 $195.00 W:\Word Processing\Resolutions\Residential Rental Licensing fee schedule 10-12-18 KS:bjs Page 1 of 2 67 DESCRIPTION 2018 LICENSE 2019 LICENSE 2020 LICENSE Property with 21 to 50 units $235.00 $240.00 $245.00 Property with 51 or more units $285.00 $295.00 $305.00 License fees for units rented for the first time on or after July 1st of each year are reduced by 50%. Late fee per month if existing license is not renewed before March 1 $ 10.00 $10.00 $10.00 Penalty fee if a new unit is leased before a license and inspection is obtained $ 50.00 $50.00 $50.00 Inspection fee per unit (City inspector) $ 55.00 $ 55.00 $ 60.00 Re -inspection fee per unit (City inspector) $ 55.00 $ 55.00 $ 60.00 Late fee per unit if Inspection Checklist is not submitted by September 30 of the year it is due $20.00 Late fee per unit, per month, if Inspection $10.00 $10.00 Checklist is not submitted by September 30 of the year it is due Hearing Examiner appeal fee $330.00 $340.00 $340.00 Section 2. Repealer. Resolution No. 1895 is hereby repealed, effective December 1, 2018. Section 3. Effective Date. This resolution and the fee schedule contained herein shall be effective as of December 1, 2018. PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, at a Regular Meeting thereof this day of , 2018. ATTEST/AUTHENTICATED: Christy O'Flaherty, MMC, City Clerk Verna Seal, Council President APPROVED AS TO FORM BY: Filed with the City Clerk: Passed by the City Council: Resolution Number: Rachel B. Turpin, City Attorney W:\Word Processing\Resolutions\Residential Rental Licensing fee schedule 10-12-18 68 KS:bjs Page 2 of 2