Adoption of the International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) and subsequent repealing of current Yakima Municipal Code (YMC) property maintenance codes (chapters 11.07 1985 Uniform Building Conservation Code; 11.10 Neighborhood Conservation; 11.13 Apartment House and Hotel Safety Code; 11.20 1991 Uniform Housing Code; 11.46 1991 Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings; 11.48 Minimum Standards for Vacant Buildings; 11.56 Building Security) will effectively consolidate current property maintenance codes into one code, providing excellent customer service through consistency and simplification. The IPMC is a commonly utilized code in many cities across Washington State, including Union Gap, Selah and Yakima County, and it provides a robust set of standards applicable to Yakima’s Clean City Program. Stakeholders NW Justice (a tenant advocacy group), Central Washington Homebuilder’s Association, and the Yakima Landlord’s Association have been contacted inviting their input. The Landlord’s Association requested a copy of the ordinance and code, and through dialogue, their original concern (regarding the penalty structure) was satisfied. Otherwise, we have received no other concerns from those groups to date. City staff has sent out a press release on 1/21/21 directing the public to the adopting documents found in the Code Administration Division web page with an opportunity to comment (https://www.yakimawa.gov/services/codes/). Comments received will be shared with Council.
Previous Council committees and Council meetings reviewing this code go back to November of 2018. In the 11/12/19 Council meeting, it was requested by Council to bring a draft ordinance of the IPMC. An ordinance was presented at a September 2020 Council meeting, but it was postponed with the idea of providing opportunity for public comment. In the 1/19/21 Council meeting, discussion came up about junk vehicles, inoperable vehicles and improperly parked vehicles. The IPMC addresses vehicles parked on private property, and not on the public right of way, as is the case with our current property maintenance codes. Our current codes are “property maintenance” codes. The intent behind adopting the IPMC is to maintain the status quo, but with simplified processes. |