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6052CITYOFRENTON,WASHINGTONORDINANCENO.6052ANORDINANCEOFTHECITYOFRENTON,WASHINGTON,AMENDINGSECTION4-5-125OFTHERENTONMUNICIPALCODE,CLARIFYINGREQUIREMENTSFORLANDLORDSUNDERTHECITY’SRESIDENTIALRENTALREGISTRATIONANDINSPECTIONPROGRAM,PROVIDINGFORSEVERABILITY,ANDESTABLISHINGANEFFECTIVEDATE.WHEREAS,onFebruary25,2019,CityCounciladoptedOrdinanceNo.5913creatingaresidentialrentalregistrationandinspectionprogram;andWHEREAS,improvingresidentialhousingandencouragingallrentalhousingintheCitytomeetminimumlifesafetyandfiresafetystandardsarefurtheredbyaprogramtopromotecodecompliance;andWHEREAS,theCityiscommittedtoarentalregistrationandinspectionprogramthatprotectstheinterestsoftenantsandlandlords;andWHEREAS,theCityrecognizesthatreprisalorretaliatoryactionsbylandlordsagainsttenantsareprohibitedbyRCW59.18.240(1)andthatlandlords“shallnottakeorthreatentotake”suchactionsbasedontenants’“complaintsorreports...to[CityofRenton]concerningthefailureofthelandlordtosubstantiallycomplywithanycode,statute,ordinance,orregulationgoverningthemaintenanceoroperationofthepremises,ifsuchconditionmayendangerorimpairthehealthorsafetyofthetenant;”andWHEREAS,theCityidentifiedadministrativechangesthatwouldresolveambiguityandclarifyrequirementsforlandlordsinRMC4-5-125.C,4-5-125.D,4-5-125.E,4-5-125.F,and4-5-125.H;and1 ORDINANCENO.6052WHEREAS,theAdministratoroftheDepartmentofCommunityandEconomicDevelopmentdeterminedinCodeInterpretation(CI)-164toclarifythatthecodeenforcementprocessofRMC1-10(originallycodifiedasRMC1-3-2)appliestotheRentalRegistrationandInspectionProgramcreatedbyOrdinanceNo.5913andadditionallegislativeclarificationstothatendareappropriate;andWHEREAS,thismatterwasdulyreferredtothePlanningCommissionforinvestigationandstudy,andthematterwasconsideredbythePlanningCommission;andWHEREAS,pursuanttoRCW36.70A.106,theCitynotifiedtheStateofWashingtonofitsintenttoadoptamendmentstoitsdevelopmentregulationsandtheDepartmentofCommercegrantedexpeditedreviewwithnocomments;andWHEREAS,thePlanningCommissionheldapublichearingonNovember17,2021consideredallrelevantmatters,andheardallpattiesappearinginsupportorinopposition,andsubsequentlyforwardedarecommendationtotheCityCouncil;NOW,THEREFORE,THECITYCOUNCILOFTHECITYOFRENTON,WASHINGTON,DOORDAINASFOLLOWS:SECTIONI.AllportionsoftheRentonMunicipalCodeinthisordinancenotshowninstrikethroughandunderlineeditsremainineffectandunchanged.SECTIONII.Section4-5-125oftheRentonMunicipalCodeisamendedasfollows:4-5-125RESIDENTIALRENTALREGISTRATIONANDINSPECTIONPROGRAM:A.PURPOSE:TheCityCouncilfindsthatrentalhousingisavaluablecommunityasset,providinghomesforallincomelevels.TheCityrecognizesthatqualityrental2 ORDINANCENO.6052housingisapartnershipamongowners,tenants,andtheCity.Additionally,theCityCouncilfindsthatthereexistsrentalhousingintheCitythatisbelowminimumbuildingstandardsandcouldviolateRCW59.18.060oftheLandlord-TenantAct.Asaresult,tofurtherthepublichealth,safety,andwelfareofitscitizensandthemaintenanceofqualityrentalhousingintheCity,theCityestablishesaprogramtopreventandcorrectconditionsinresidentialrentalunitsthatarelikelytoadverselyaffectthehealth,safety,andwelfareofthepublic.ItisapurposeofthisSectiontoencouragerentalhousingwithintheCitytobeactivelyoperatedandmaintainedincompliancewithChapter59.18RCW,theResidentialLandlord-TenantAct.TheCityCouncilfurtherdeclaresthatthisprogramisforthebenefitofthepublicingeneralandnotforthebenefitofanyparticularorcircumscribedclassofpersons.B.APPUCABIUTY:ThisSectionappliestorentaldwellingunitswiththefollowingexceptions:1.Roomrentalwithinarentaldwellingunitthatisotherwiseoccupiedbythelandlord;2.Accommodationsfortransientguestsforwhichlodgingtaxisapplicable(hotels,motels,inns,short-termrentals,etc.);3.Hospitals,hospiceandcommunity-carefacilities,retirementornursinghomes,extendedcarefacilities,andothersimilarusessubjecttoStatelicensingrequirements;3 ORDINANCENO.60524.Rentaldwellingunitsthatagovernmentagencyorauthorityowns,operates,ormanages,orthatarespecificallyexemptedfrommunicipalregulationbyStateorFederallaworadministrativeregulation.Suchexemptionappliesuntilsuchownership,operation,management,orspecificexemptionisdiscontinued;and5.Emergencyortemporarysheltersandtransitionalhousing.C.DEFINITIONS:InconstruingtheprovisionsofthisSection,thefollowingdefinitionsshallbeapplied:1.“Administrator”meanstheAdministratorofCommunityandEconomicDevelopmentordesigneeasapplicableandanyotherdepartmentadministratorauthorizedbytheMayortoenforcethisSection,ortheirdesignee,whichmayinclude,butisnotlimitedto,codecomplianceinspector,buildingofficial,orotherdesignatedCityofficial.2.“Certificateofinspection”meansacertificatemadeinaccordancewiththerequirementsofRCW9A.72.08559.18.125byaqualifiedinspectoronformsprovidedbyoracceptabletotheCitythatstatesthatthelandlordoftherentaldwellingunit(s)atissuehasnotfailedtofulfillanyobligationimposedunderRCW59.18.060oftheLandlord-TenantAct.3.“Dwellingunit”meansanystructureorpartofastructurewhichisusedasaresidenceorsleepingplacebyoneormorepersons,includingbutnotlimitedtosingle-familyresidences,aroom,roomingunits,unitsofmultiplexes,4 ORDINANCENO.6052condominiums,apartmentbuildings,mobilehomes,andothersimilarresidentialstructures.4.“Landlord”meansanowner,lessor,orsublessorofarentaldwellingunitorthepropertyonwhicharentaldwellingunitislocatedand,inaddition,meansanypersondesignatedasrepresentativeofthelandlordincludingpropertymanagers.5.“Landlord-TenantAct”meanstheResidentialLandlord-TenantActsetforthinChapter59.18RCW,ascurrentlyenactedandhereinafteramended.6.“Person”meansanindividual,groupofindividuals,corporation,government,governmentalagency,businesstrust,estate,trust,partnership,association,two(2)ormorepersonshavingajointorcommoninterest,oranyotherlegalorcommercialentity.7.“Qualifiedinspector”meansaUnitedStatesDepartmentofHousingandUrbanDevelopmentcertifiedinspector,aWashingtonStatelicensedhomeinspector,anAmericanSocietyofHomeInspectorscertifiedinspector,aprivateinspectorcertifiedbytheNationalAssociationofHousingandRedevelopmentOfficials,theAmericanAssociationofCodeEnforcement,InternationalCodeCouncilcertifiedinspector,aWashingtonlicensedstructuralengineer,oraWashingtonlicensedarchitect,orothercomparableprofessionalasapprovedbytheAdministrator.Alandlordisnoteligibletoactasaqualifiedinspectorforthelandlord’srentaldwellingunit.8.“RCW”meansRevisedCodeofWashington.5 ORDINANCENO.60529.“RCW59.18.060oftheLandlord-TenantAct”means,forthepurposesofthisSection,RCW59.18.060(1)through(10),ascurrentlyenactedandhereinafteramended.10.“Rentaldwellingunit”meansadwellingunitthatisrentedorheldoutforrental.11.“Rentalproperty”meansallresidentialdwellingunitsrentedorleasedonasinglelot,orabuttinglots,managedbythesamelandlord.121.“Residentialrentalchecklist”meansastatement,declaration,verification,orcertificatemadeinaccordancewiththeformsprovidedbyoracceptabletotheCitythateachrentaldwellingunitatissuecomplieswithRCW59.18.060oftheLandlord-TenantActanddoesnotpresentconditionsthatendangerorimpairhealthorsafety.13.“Tenant”isanypersonwhoisentitledtooccupyarentaldwellingunitprimarilyfordwellingpurposeswithorwithoutawrittenrentalagreement.D.REQUIREMENTS:1.AnnualRegistration,DeclarationofCompliance,andCertificateofInspection:OnorbeforeJanuary31stofeachyear,atleastonelandlordofarentaldwellingunitshallsubmitthefollowingrentalregistrationinformationbymeansandformdirectedbytheAdministrator,toincludebutnotbelimitedto:a.Thelandlord’snameandcontactinformation;b.Thenameandcontactinformationofanypersondesignatedbythelandlordasanalternatecontactorasarepresentativeofthelandlord;6 ORDINANCENO.6052c.Ifdesiredbylandlord,anemailormailingaddressorothermethodofcontactasapprovedbytheRentonPoliceDepartmentforparticipationinthelandlordnotificationprogramfornoticeofpoliceactivityonthepropertyonwhicharentaldwellingunitislocated;U.Aresidentialrentalchecklistforeachrentalpropertythatexpresslyidentifiesallofthelandlord’srentaldwellingunits;ande.Acertificateofinspectiondatedwithinthirty(30)daysofregistrationif&i€laseparatecertificateofinspectionwaspreviouslyrequiredtobecompletedbysubsectionFofthisSectionwithintheprecedingtwelve(12)monthregistrationperiods.2.EffectofMultipleLandlords:Ifasinglerentaldwellingunithasmorethanonelandlord,thefollowingapplies:a.OnlyonelandlordisrequiredtomeettherequirementsofsubsectionD.1ofthisSection;andb.Regardlessofwhichlandlordregistersthedwellingunit,alllandlordsofthedwellingunitareresponsibleforcompliancewiththisSection,includingensuringproperregistrationbyatleastonelandlord.3.PaymentofRegistrationFee:Totheextentapplicable,paymentofanyregistrationfeesrequiredwithintheCityofRentonFeeScheduleshallbepaidannuallybyJanuary31st.E.VIOLATIONS:7 ORDINANCENO.60521.Eachlandlordofarentaldwellingunitisresponsibleforthefollowingviolations:a.FailuretocomplywitharequirementofthisSection,ofRCW59.18.060oftheLandlord-TenantAct,orboth;b.AnyviolationofthisChapter,wheresuchviolationoccursonorpertainstopropertyoccupiedbyoneormorerentaldwellingunits,andsubsectionBofthisSectiondoesnotexceptsuchrentaldwellingunitsfromthisSection;c.AnyviolationofanyotherCity,County,State,orFederallaworregulationrelatingtohealthorsafety,wheresuchviolationoccursonorpertainstopropertyoccupiedbyoneormorerentaldwellingunits,andsubsectionBofthisSectiondoesnotexceptsuchrentaldwellingunitsfromthisSection.d..WhilenotaviolationunderthisSection,theCityrecognizesthatreprisalorretaliatoryactionsbylandlordsagainsttenantsareprohibitedbyRCW59.18.240(1)andthatlandlords“shallnottakeorthreatentotake”suchactionsbasedontenants’“[clomplaintsorreports...to[CityofRentoniconcerningthefailureofthelandlordtosubstantiallycomplywithanycode,statute,ordinance,orregulationgoverningthemaintenanceoroperationofthepremises,ifsuchconditionmayendangerorimpairthehealthorsafetyofthetenant.”Underapplicablestatelaw,retaliationincludes,butisnotlimitedto:(1)anyactoromissiondoneorthreatenedtobedoneasaresultofthecomplaintthatwould$ ORDINANCENO.6052separatelyviolatethisSection,or(2)raisingrentorterminatingthetenancybecauseofthecomplaint.2.ExceptasotherwiseprovidedinthisSection,theenforcementandpenaltyprovisionsofchapters1-3and1-10RMCapplytoviolationsandpotentialviolationsofthisSection.3.AnylandlordcontestinganorderoftheAdministratorpursuanttothisSectionmayappealtheorderwithinfifteen(15)daysofthedecisiontothehearingexaminerpursuanttoappealsprocessforfindingsofviolationsinRMC1-10-5.F.CERTIFICATEOFINSPECTION:TheAdministratormayorderaAlandlordtocompleteandsubmitshallhaveacertificateofinspectionwithinatimespecifiedwithintheordercompletedandsubmittedtotheAdministratorunderthefollowingcircumstances:1.Whenatenantrequestsaninspection7andtheAdministratordeterminesthereisreasontobelievethatthelandlordappearstohavehasfailedtofulfillanobligationimposedunderRCW59.18.060oftheLandlord-TenantAct;2.WhentheAdministratordeterminesbaseduponotherinformationand/orobservationthatthereisalikelyCitydiscoversorismadeawareofaviolationofthisSection;or3.1-f-PursuanttoafindingofviolationorothercodeenforcementorderrequiringtheLandlordtoremedyaanordertocureaviolationofthisSectionissued.9 ORDINANCENO.6052G.SALEOFPROPERTY—NEWOWNERCOMPLIANCE:WhereconditionsexistthatareinviolationofRCW59.18.060oftheLandlord-TenantActorthisSectionorboth,andthereisachangeofownershiporcontrol,thenewlandlordwillbesubjecttopenaltiesandenforcementforallongoingviolationsandregistrationrequirements.H.PENALTIESANDENFORCEMENT:1.AviolationofthisSection,ofSectionRCW59.18.060oftheLandlord-TenantAct,orofbothanordertocompleteandsubmitacertificateofinspectionissubjecttopenaltiesL.cd-enforcement,andappealsunderchapters1-3and1-10RMC.2.FalseReporting:Anypersonwhoknowinglysubmitsorassistsinthesubmissionofafalsifiedresidentialrentalchecklistorcertificateofinspectionissubjecttopenaltiesandenforcementunderchapters1-3and1-10RMC.SECTIONIII.Ifanysection,subsection,sentence,clause,phraseorworkofthisordinanceshouldbeheldtobeinvalidorunconstitutionalbyacourtorcompetentjurisdiction,suchinvalidityorunconstitutionalitythereofshallnotaffecttheconstitutionalityofanyothersection,subsection,sentence,clause,phraseLorwordofthisordinance.SECTIONIV.Thisordinanceshallbeinfullforceandeffectthirty(30)daysafteradoption.Nolaterthanfive(5)dayspriortosucheffectivedate,asummaryofthisordinanceconsistingofitstitleshallbepublishedintheCity’sofficialnewspaper.10 ORDINANCENO.6052PASSEDBYTHECITYCOUNCILthis;3thdayofDecember,2021.iaso.Seth,%tyClerkAPPROVEDBYTHEMAYORthis;3thdayofDecember,2021.Approvedastoform:_%ShaneMaloney,CityAttorneyDateofPublication:12/16/2021(Summary)ORD:2191:11/23/211Armohvane,Mayor11