Title
Proposed Code Enforcement Policy Updates
Description
This report requests the Community and Cultural Investment Subcommittee recommend City Council approval of changes to the Neighborhood Services Department's (NSD) Code Enforcement Policy (CEP), based on the annual review.
THIS ITEM IS FOR DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION.
Report
Summary
In March 2023, staff provided a presentation to this Subcommittee on the required annual review of the CEP. The presentation included possible updates identified by staff, City Council and the community to clarify and clean up current language and proposed additional language to allow us to deviate from our standard enforcement process to address specific violations. During the presentation, a member of the Subcommittee also recommended NSD include a statement of intent in the policy.
Public Outreach
Following the Subcommittee presentation, NSD held three community outreach meetings, two virtual and one in-person. Outreach included social media (FaceBook, Twitter, Next Door, NSD Internet website), Neighborhood Associations listed with the Department, Arizona Multihousing Association, and Arizona Association of Realtors. Approximately 56 residents attended the meetings and provided feedback on the proposed changes. Overall, staff received positive feedback and support for the proposed changes, with one resident expressing concern about the proposed language addressing hardships related to homelessness. Additionally, the community provided input specific to short term rental properties, the length of time for Notice of Ordinance Violation (NOVs), and illegal signage enforcement. Based on the feedback, staff added the following to the recommended changes:
- Statement of Intent
- Language to address Short Term Rentals as part of the episodic violations
- Standard timelines for NOV re-inspections, which are part of NSD's existing standard code enforcement practice
All staff recommended updates to the CEP are highlighted in Attachment B, with the current CEP provided as Attachment A for reference.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Gina Montes and the Neighborhood Services Department.