Wednesday, April 21, 2021 | 1:43 p.m.
The Las Vegas City Council voted today to strengthen inspection requirements for some rental properties after the 2019 Alpine Motel Apartments fire that killed six people.
"We love good landlords” but not those who “don’t keep their property up and put people's lives at risk," said Mayor Carolyn Goodman, who made the motion to approve the changes.
The council passed the amendments to the city rental code on a 5-2 vote, with members Victoria Seaman and Stavros Anthony voting against the measure.
The changes apply only to properties built as motels before 1981 and that have been converted into longer-stay rentals. About 28 buildings, mostly in downtown Las Vegas, will be impacted.
City code enforcement staff will inspect the properties once a year for compliance with health, safety and zoning requirements. The city can inspect a property more frequently if it is found to be out of compliance.
Owners of properties in violation can face a fine of up to $1,000 or six months in jail.
Properties with more than 12 units must also have a property manager living on site with access to every room, so they can allow first responders to enter in an emergency.
