Issue 2 establishes a series of maintenance regulations for non-owner rental properties within city limits.
MAUMEE, Ohio — Katherine Stark has been a landlord for 24 years and is one of many people across Maumee to be outspoken about Rental Property Ordinance 2 on the November ballot.
“I feel like it’s unnecessary,” Stark said. “The books list many codes, ordinances and procedures that can be utilized for tenant safety.”
The ordinance only targets rental properties that are not occupied by owners, which the city says make up about a quarter of all housing units.
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City Administrator Patrick Birch said, “We brought this project forward because we had a large number of aging rental housing units that were difficult to see from the outside.”
The 37-page ordinance includes a list of requirements, from keeping the outdoors clean to having a bathroom on each floor with sleeping areas.
The city says the tests last three years and cost an average of about $50.
“Council was looking to put in place some kind of inspection program every three to four years to make sure rental housing was being maintained in a way that protected the most marginalized people,” Birch said. .
The bill was originally passed in March 2023. A month later, residents gathered enough signatures to petition the Lucas County Board of Elections in opposition. However, they were unable to vote.
The deadline to verify signatures submitted for the November ballot was Aug. 9, and the Ohio Supreme Court ordered the city to submit signatures by Aug. 7 of that year.
Two weeks ago, on Oct. 8, a Common Pleas Judge ruled in favor of the county Board of Elections, allowing the ordinance to be put to a vote after the city filed a lawsuit seeking its removal.
But Burch says the city wasn’t trying to silence people.
“No one is trying to take away anyone’s voice,” he said. “The question is whether it was done properly, and I believe that I and Congress have a legal obligation to make sure things are done correctly.”
“People want to vote. Just let them vote. What’s the point in letting people vote?” she said.
Ms. Stark has voted no and has reason to encourage everyone to do the same.
“My personal opinion is that all properties in Maumee should have nuisance ordinances in place. That would preserve their value, because no one wants to live next to a house that is an eyesore. ” she said.
The full 37-page ordinance can be read below.
