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Rental Reeulations While statistics for code violations specifically on rental properties are not available, the City has witnessed a growing concern over the conversion of owner occupied properties to rental properties in recent years. The concerns have related to decreased property maintenance (grass and weeds), violation of parking regulations, over-occupancy of a housing unit, and noise. While these types o[violations mayor may not be more prevalent on rental properties, enforcement procedures can, at times, be more difficuIt.on rental properties when a city is unable to easily locate and contact the property owner. Administering a civil or criminal citation can then also be difficult. Rental registration and rental licensing are two common terms used to describe the regulation of rental housing, though there is not a legal or standard difference between the two terms. Cities have implemented various types of rental regulations and used whichever term they saw fit. However, in reviewing examples of rental regulations, rental licensing tends to include an inspection program while rental registration does not. Rental Registration A rental registration program typically requires property owners to register with the city before the property can be rented. The registration allows a city to track the location of rental units and maintain contact information for the property owner at the City. If the property owner is not a local resident, a city can require the owner to provide a local contact. When a city determines that there is a violation, a registration process can make it easier to contact the property and, if necessary, administer fines and/or citations. As part of the program, the property owner can verify the occupancy limit of the unit and that city regulations have been met. Perhaps more importantly, the registration process gives a city an opportunity to interact with the property owner and inform them of the city's regulations and expectations if the property is rented. When a city's regulations are violated, the city can revoke the registration and issue a citation. Violations that could lead to revocation include failure to maintain the lawn and building, violation of state statutes, disorderly conduct, violating the parking regulations, etc. Although many cities limit a dwelling to no more than four unrelated individuals, this type of limitation is extremely difficult to enforce. While registration can apply to all rental units, it is not uncommon to exempt nursing homes, on-campus student housing, and senior housing units. Some cities do require a property owner to register a housing unit even if just a rOOln is rented. Other cities, such as Roseville, have required buildings with fewer than four units to register and exempted actual multi-family buildings. Roseville's recently adopted rental registration program is in Attachment D. City of Arden Hills City Council Work Session.lor October 20, 2008 \lAhdocsJlah\AHdalaIPlanrringICommuni(v DevelopmenllCommunity LivabilizvIMemos\/02008 - CC lv1emo - Communizv Livability. doc Page 8 of 12