HomeMy WebLinkAboutRadon 2020-04-21 OrdinanceItem Number: 14.
AL
CITY OF IOWA CITY
c- COUNCIL ACTION REPORT
April 21, 2020
Ordinance amending Title 17, entitled "Building and Housing," Chapter 5,
entitled Housing Code," to delay the requirement for radon testing and
mitigation in single-family and duplex rental units until July 1, 2021. (First
Consideration)
Prepared By: Stan Laverman, Senior Housing Inspector
Reviewed By: Erika Kubly, Neighborhood Services Coordinator
Tracy Hightshoe, Neighborhood & Development Services Director
Fiscal Impact: No impact.
Recommendations: Staff: Approval
Commission: N/A
Attachments: Ordinance
Executive Summary:
To reduce exposure and limit the spread of COVID19, staff recommends delaying the effective
date of the radon testing and mitigation requirements until July 1, 2021.
Background /Analysis:
The radon requirements would result in at least two extra visits to a single family or duplex property
by people not typically associated with the property. If radon mitigation was required it could result
in visits by multiple contractors to bid the work and additional visits by radon mitigation installers for
the actual installation. While staff strongly believes that radon testing and mitigation is important,
requiring the radon testing and mitigation work to be done at this particular time is not advisable.
Staff encourages property owners to use this time to schedule radon inspections, and mitigation, if
necessary, when units maybe vacant. Testing completed throughout this year will be accepted to
document compliance with the radon requirements that will go in effect on July 1, 2021.
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
Ordinance