Title
Delinquent Landlord Permit Fee Collection and Fine Calculation (B)
This item recommends amending the Landlord Permit Fee ordinance to include adding an additional delinquent fee collection method and establishing a policy for calculating Code Enforcement Board imposed fines related to violation of the Landlord Permit Fee ordinance.
Explanation
City of Gainesville Code of Ordinances Sec. 14.5 requires a landlord permit be obtained by an owner renting a single-family dwelling, two-family dwelling, three-family dwelling, four-family dwelling, multi-family dwelling, rooming house, dormitory or other dwelling unit within a district designated residential single family. The landlord permit is obtained upon review of a landlord permit application and payment to the City of Gainesville. The landlord permit fee is increased if received after the due date established in Appendix A - Schedule of Fees, Rates, and Charges.
The City issues approximately 3,500 landlord permits annually and an estimated 200 of those permits are either paid after the initial due date or remain unpaid. Those properties with permits that remain unpaid and are, nonetheless, rented in violation of Sec. 14.5 are referred to the Code Enforcement Board for prosecution. Section 14.5 currently includes a process for collecting unpaid landlord permit fees. By ordinance, unpaid fees may be referred to a collection agency and if the agency is unable to collect the unpaid fee the case can be referred to the Code Enforcement Board for prosecution. The case can also be referred directly to the Code Enforcement Board, which is the process used by staff. When found guilty by the Code Enforcement Board, the board issues a compliance date and a fine is assessed which is implemented if the property is not brought into compliance by the established deadline.
In an effort to add an additional collection tool that would increase the effectiveness of fee collection, staff recommends including...
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