The Planning and Building Department presented the Quality Rental Housing Program and how it will operate in fiscal year 2025–26.

Program design and cadence

Director Heather Allen said the program targets multifamily residential buildings 20 years or older and qualifying motels. The city maintains an inventory of 3,630 apartment buildings and 30 motels and divides the inventory into five phases that are inspected sequentially from west to east. Allen provided counts for each phase: Phase 1 — 531 buildings; Phase 2 — 952; Phase 3 — 638; Phase 4 — 918; Phase 5 — 591.

Inspection triggers and process

Allen described the sequence: property owners first receive a self‑certification questionnaire. Depending on the responses and any prior complaints or records of substandard housing, officers perform an exterior inspection and, where indicated (for example recent substandard‑housing complaints), seek consent for interior inspections. The ordinance establishing the program, she said, currently prescribes a five‑year inspection cycle for each geographic phase.

Staffing and outreach

The department said it has recently restored two full‑time code‑enforcement officers to the program, and that two part‑time support positions remain vacant. The FY25–26 budget includes $1.2 million in federal CDBG funding for code enforcement activities in qualifying neighborhoods. Councilmember Leon asked about resident notification and outreach; Allen said notice requirements exist for interior inspections and that staff will strengthen resident information materials and outreach so tenants understand the program and how to provide input.

Policy questions and follow‑up

Allen told council the five‑year cycle is the current ordinance requirement but said staff is evaluating whether more frequent checks are needed for some properties and whether additional tools could be brought forward (including possible code amendments) to strengthen the program. No ordinance change was adopted at the meeting; staff was asked to report back on outreach materials and options to improve cadence and enforcement tools.