WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – The Wichita City Council approved several housing code changes Tuesday, including a revised board of code standards and appeals, increased fines for landlords with problem properties and expanded enforcement authority.
The council voted 7-0 to approve the amendments, which were tabled from an October meeting that lasted several hours as dozens of community members spoke for and against the proposed changes.
The approved changes authorize the Metropolitan Area Building and Construction Department director to hand out penalties to landlords that violate housing policies.
Task force recommendations drive changes
The changes came at the recommendation of a task force made up of both landlords and tenants…