TITLE
ORDINANCE AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE XIV OF THE CODE OF GENERAL ORDINANCES CONCERNING RESIDENTIAL RENTAL BUSINESS LICENSES AND TRANSPARENCY OF OWNERSHIP.
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WHEREAS, according to the City of New Haven's Consolidated Plan for 2020-24, of the nearly 57,000 dwelling units in New Haven, 42% are in structures containing two- to four- dwelling units, 15% are in structures containing five- to 19- dwelling units and 19% are in structures containing 20 units or more; and
WHEREAS, nearly 70% of all dwelling units in New Haven are renter occupied; and
WHEREAS, the City of the New Haven's Residential Rental Business License Program (the Program) was established by Ordinance in August, 2005; and
WHEREAS, the purpose of the Program is to (i) implement a proactive rental inspection program to ensure the safety, health and welfare of its residents through licensing, (ii) eliminate housing blight; and (iii) identify rental units in the city and their owners on a continuous and recurring basis; and
WHEREAS, in Fiscal Year 2021-22, the City's Livable City Initiative reported 1,999 registered properties in the Program with 1,042 inspections completed; and
WHEREAS, administrative requirements of the Program are substantial and, at times, compromised or otherwise impacted with additional time and research associated with the identification of property owner(s); and
WHEREAS, the City seeks to reduce this administrative burden, improve the effectiveness of the program and, in turn, further protect the health, safety and general welfare of tenants through the Program; and
NOW THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED BY THE BOARD OF ALDERS OF THE CITY OF NEW HAVEN THAT
1. Section 17-72, add new definition to read, Natural Person means a living human being, not less than eighteen years of age. Natural person does not include any legal entity or other legal fiction ordinarily granted the status of person under Connecticut State Law.
2. Section 17-74, replace existing Section 17-74 in its ent...
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