§ 9-3902.2 — Enforcement and Penalties

§ 9-3902.2. Enforcement and Penalties.

(1) No penalty shall be imposed unless the owner has failed to cure the violation within thirty (30) days after written notice from the Department. A violation shall be considered cured when the owner provides accurate and verifiable contact information for the owner and, where required, the Local Agent, in compliance with subsection 9-3902(c) and Section 9-3902.1. Failure to comply with the requirements of subsection 9-3902(c) and Section 9-3902.1 after expiration of a thirty (30) day cure period shall constitute grounds for enforcement action by the Department, including the denial, suspension, or revocation of any related rental or business license, as authorized by law. (2) After the expiration of the thirty (30) day cure period following written notice by the Department, any failure to provide accurate and verifiable owner or Local Agent contact information required under subsection 9-3902(c) and Section 9-3902.1 shall constitute a violation punishable by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500). (3) The Department may deny, revoke, or suspend any related business or rental license until compliance is verified, as authorized by law. (4) Tenant Remedy. If the Department has issued a notice of unsafe or hazardous conditions, the deadline to remedy such conditions has passed, and the thirty (30) day cure period to remedy violations of subsection 9-3902(c) and Section 9-3902.1 has expired, tenants have the following rights and remedies for the duration of the period of non-compliance. The period of non-compliance ends only when the owner has provided accurate and verifiable contact information. (a) A defense in any action to recover rent, possession, or to evict a tenant from a property. (b) The right to withhold rent, late fees, or other charges. (c) Nothing in this Section prevents the landlord from regaining compliance and thereafter enforcing their rights prospectively. (d) Nothing in this Section shall limit the City’s independent authority to enforce this Chapter or to impose fines, penalties, or license suspensions as otherwise provided. Notes 1329.3 | Added, Bill No. 250980-A (approved April 7, 2026), effective July 6, 2026.