All properties in the City of Washington will fall under a new chapter of city code regarding property maintenance. The third and final reading of Chapter 157 “Property Maintenance Code” passed at last night’s Washington City Council meeting unanimously. The code did have amendments regarding retaining walls and stairway spindles, which now will require a four-inch space between spindles for new installations. Councilman Bob Shepherd said everyone needs to understand the code. City Administrator Brent Hinson, explained the process has been thorough and public with more than 20 meetings for over a year.

The council also passed the rental registration and inspection fees which pertain to Chapter 147. The fees are an annual registration and triennial inspection with $25 for the first unit of each building and $5 for each additional unit. The Section 8 inspection filing fee is $20 and any late registration for rentals will be double the normal fees.

To read the codes discussed click here.