Sandy Springs City Council Approves Update to Multifamily Rental Housing Ordinance

Yesterday, the Sandy Springs City Council approved an update to the Sandy Springs Code of Ordinances regarding Multifamily Rental Housing.

A few notable changes were introduced based on historical fire trends that the Building Official and Fire Marshal feel are necessary for the safety of residents of multifamily rental housing, including that 100% of units on site must be inspected by a third-party annually, instead of these inspections being spread out over 5 years. Additionally, a separate inspection of the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing utility equipment will be required every 5 years to make sure that the equipment is properly maintained and operating within the manufacturer’s specifications.

Other administrative changes include training all owners and property managers on the new ordinance and requiring a Code Compliance Certificate, Property Manager Certification, and Certificate of Insurance to be submitted with the application for a new, or renewal, occupational tax certificate.

There are 98 apartment complexes in Sandy Springs, with two new apartment complexes currently under construction, accounting for more than 25,000 rental units over approximately 1,300 structures combined. Of these structures, 47% do not have an automatic sprinkler system, while 25% are partially sprinklered, and only 28% are fully sprinklered. This code update works to better ensure the safety of all residents who reside in multifamily rental housing.

 For more information about the City of Sandy Springs, please visit us online at www.sandyspringsga.gov, or call the Citizen Response Center at 770-730-5600. Follow breaking news and traffic alerts on Twitter and community news on Facebook, both @SandySpringsGA.