Most forms of renting or leasing residential property in the City of Auburn requires an owner to obtain a Rental Housing License. The purpose of the licensing program is to ensure that non-owner occupied properties are properly maintained and managed. The licensing program ensures that we have current and accurate property ownership/management information so that we are approaching the correct party when we receive a complaint rather than directing our communications towards tenants. The following table provides a general overview of the more common types of living arrangements that include some form of property rental or leasing.
Residential Rental Housing Summary
|
Rental Type
|
Requirements
|
|
Owner Occupied Home: Rental of Rooms -
Allowed Residential Zones:
RC, R-1, R-5, R-7, R-10, R-16, R-20
|
- City License Requirement: If renting to 2 or fewer persons, no license
- Occupancy Limit: Family +2
- Fee:*
- Inspection: None
|
- City License Requirement: If renting to more than 2 persons, an annual City Rental License (PDF) is required
- Occupancy Limit: Family +4
- Fee:*
- Inspection: None
|
Non-Owner Occupied Home: Single Lease Agreement for Entire Home -
Allowed Residential Zones:
RC, R-1, R-5, R-7, R-10, R16, R-20
|
- An annual City Rental License (PDF) is required for each address.
- Occupancy Limit: IPMC
- Fee:*
- Inspection: None
|
Non-Owner Occupied Home: More than One Lease Agreement within Home (a.k.a Communal residence) -
Allowed Residential Zones:
RC, R-1, R-5, R-7, R-10, R-16, R-20
|
- An annual City Rental License (PDF) is required for each address.
- Occupancy Limit: 4
- Fee:*
- An initial inspection is required prior to issuance of City Rental License. Annual Inspection required prior to renewal.
|
Apartments -
Allowed Residential Zones:
R-10, R-16, R-20
|
- An annual City Rental License (PDF) is required for the complex.
- Occupancy Limit: IPMC
- Fee:*
- Inspection: None
|
State Licensed Facilities: Adult Family Home, Group Residence, Assisted Care, Foster Care, Nursing Home, Supportive Housing -
Allowed Residential Zones:
Varies depending upon the type of facility
|
- An annual City Business License Application (PDF) is required for each address.
- Occupancy Limit: Varies depending upon the type of facility.
- Fee:*
- Inspection: An initial city inspection is required prior to issuance of the State License.
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* See Current City of Auburn Fee Schedule
Residential Rental Housing Details and Resources
The City requires a rental housing business license for anyone renting a unit, either single-family residential or multi-family residential. The application form is available in the link below. A rental housing business license is renewed annually with notices sent out by the City of Auburn at the end of November each year. It is the landlord's responsibility to renew the license by January 1 of each year. If you operate a communal residence then the landlord is responsible for scheduling an inspection with the City prior to the license or renewal being issued.
If you would like to learn more about the rules and licensing requirements for rental housing in the City of Auburn you can review the code citations below.
Ordinances and Regulations
Auburn City Code Chapter 18.04 - Definitions for Communal Residence, Family, Foster Care Homes, Group Residence Facilities, Renting of Rooms, Assisted Living Facilities, Convalescent Homes, Supportive Housing
Auburn City Code Chapter 18.07.020 - Permitted Use Table For Residential Zones
Auburn City Code Chapter 18.31.130 - Communal Residence Standards
Ordinance 6560 - 2015 Communal Residence Code Amendments
Auburn City Code Chapter 5.22 - Rental Housing Business License Requirements
International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) - The following table is a summary of the requirements of Chapter 4 of the IPMC. It does not include all IPMC.
| Bedrooms |
Minimum of 70 sq. ft.
If occupied by more than 1 person, an additional 50 sq. ft. per person is required.
Shall comply with building code requirements for light, ventilation, ceiling height and room width.
|
| Living rooms |
Minimum of 120 sq. ft. for 1-5 occupants.
Minimum of 150 sq. ft. if occupant by more than 5 occupants.
|
| Dining room |
N/A for 1-2 occupants.
Minimum of 80 sq. ft. for 3-5 occupants.
Minimum of 100 sq. ft. for more than 5 occupants.
|
| Bathrooms |
Every bedroom shall have access to at least one bathroom without passing through another bedroom.
Ventilation must be installed properly.
|
|
Kitchens, bathrooms, closets, garages and other non-inhabitable spaces
|
May not be used for sleeping purposes |
| Other |
Comply with the plumbing, water-heating, heating, electrical, smoke alarm, and emergency escape requirements.
Clothes dryer exhaust systems must be installed and operable.
Kitchen exhaust systems must be installed and operable.
|
Application Forms
If you have questions regarding the City of Auburn’s business license program, or licensing requirements, please contact us at 253-804-5011 or email us at [email protected].