HomeMy WebLinkAboutA015 - Ordinance No. 4325 adopted October 24, 2017 x
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ORDINANCE NO. 4325
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF
AMES,IOWA,BY ENACTING A NEW CHAPTER 13,SECTION 13.303
THEREOF,FOR THE PURPOSE OF A TEMPORARY MORATORIUM ON
ISSUANCE OF NEW RENTAL LETTERS OF COMPLIANCE;
REPEALING ANY AND ALL ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF
ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT TO THE EXTENT OF SUCH CONFLICT;
PROVIDING A PENALTY;AND ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
BE IT ENACTED,by the City Council for the City of Ames,Iowa,that:
Section One. The Municipal Code of the City of Ames,Iowa,shall be and the same is hereby amended by
enacting a new Section as follows:
DIVISION III
RENTAL REGISTRATION AND INSPECTION PROGRAM
'113.303. TEMPORARY MORATORIUM ON ISSUANCE OF RENTAL LETTERS OF COMPLIANCE.
(1) The purpose of this ordinance is to provide a temporary means to protect neighborhoods by preserving the
current level of rental properties in certain neighborhoods in the City while the Council considers other options to address
issues regarding the increasing number of rental units in certain residential neighborhoods.
(2) A moratorium on the issuance of new rental Letters of Compliance for single-family and two-family homes
is established and in effect within those areas of the City described in subsection(6). Except as noted in subsections(3)
and(4)below,no new rental Letters of Compliance will be issued by the City during the moratorium period.
(3) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit a property owner with a current rental Letter of
Compliance from renewing the Letter of Compliance during the moratorium period. Nothing in this section shall be
construed to prohibit a property owner with a current rental Letter of Compliance from transferring the Letter of
Compliance to a new owner if the property is sold during the moratorium period.
(4) Property owners that have filed with the City a completed rental registration application or a pre-sale
inspection form prior to the effective date of this section may continue with the process,and the City may issue a Letter
of Compliance in such cases during the moratorium period.
(5) During the moratorium,the City shall not issue a building permit under Chapter 5,Ames Municipal Code,
which would result in an enlargement of single-family or two-family dwellings located within the area described in
subsection(6):For purposes of this ordinance,"enlargement'is defined as:An increase in the volume of a building,an
increase in the area of land or building occupied by a use,an increase in the number of bedrooms within a dwelling unit
or an increase in the number of dwelling units.For group living uses,any alteration that allows an increase in the number
of residents is considered an enlargement of the use.
(6) The moratorium is effective within the areas of the City of Ames designated on the maps located on the
following website:http://www.cityofames.org/.moratorium.
(7) The moratorium is effective until April 30,•2018,at which point this section shall become null,void,and
of no future effect."
Section Two.Violation of the provisions of this ordinance shall constitute a municipal infraction punishable
as set out by law.
Section Three. All ordinances,or parts of ordinances,in conflict herewith are hereby repealed to the extent of
such conflict,if any.
Section Four. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and publication as
required by law.
Passed this 24`h day of October,2017.
Diane R.Voss,City Clerk Ann H.Campbell,Mayor