File #: OR-2021-0020    Version: 1 Name:
Type: Ordinance Status: Enacted
File created: 7/6/2021 In control: City Clerk
On agenda: Final action:
Title: ORDINANCE AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE XIV OF THE CODE OF GENERAL ORDINANCES CONCERNING RESIDENTIAL RENTAL BUSINESS LICENSES AND TRANSPARENCY OF OWNERSHIP.
Attachments: 1. Checklist - Article XIV Residential Licensing Transparency in Ownership (June 2021), 2. Cover Letter - Article XIV Residential Licensing Transparency in Ownership (June 2021), 3. Background Information - Current ARTICLE XIV RESIDENTIAL RENTAL BUSINESS LICENSES (Reference Only), 4. Fiscal Impact Statement - Article XIV Residential Licensing Transparency in Ownership (June 2021), 5. Notification Form - Article XIV Transparency in Ownership (June 2021), 6. Ordinance - Article XIV Residential Licensing Transparency in Ownership (June 2021), 7. OR-2021-0020
TITLE
ORDINANCE AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE XIV OF THE CODE OF GENERAL ORDINANCES CONCERNING RESIDENTIAL RENTAL BUSINESS LICENSES AND TRANSPARENCY OF OWNERSHIP.
BODY
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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