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PARKERSBURG — An inspection and registration process for residential rental units will go into effect April 15 in Parkersburg where officials plan a grace period when the focus will be on education and compliance rather than enforcement.

The Residential Rental Unit Inspection and Registration ordinance unanimously adopted by city council on Dec. 16 requires inspection schedules, fees, registration and compliance with city codes. During the grace period of more than seven weeks from April 15 to June 30, when the priority will be outreach, assistance and voluntary compliance, landlords will be encouraged to register properties and schedule inspections with the goal of minimizing penalties and ensuring a smooth transition, the city said.

“This ordinance provides a structured and consistent framework for ensuring rental properties meet minimum safety standards,” Chief Building Official Andy Nestor said. “Our goal is not punitive, it is preventative. By identifying issues early, we can help property owners correct problems before they escalate and protect tenants from unsafe living conditions.”

A citywide program requiring the registration and periodic inspection of residential rental units is created under the ordinance, adopted after extensive discussion by the Municipal Planning

Commission, Building Code Appeals Board, discussions with landlords and housing partners and from public comment. The legislation was introduced in early 2025 after concerns were raised about aging housing stock, recurring code violations and inconsistencies in rental property classification, then reviewed and unanimously recommended by the Planning Commission and the Appeals Board before advancing to council for consideration.

More than a dozen municipalities in West Virginia have implemented similar rental registration and inspection programs aimed at protecting tenant safety and preserving housing quality.

The purpose of the ordinance is to ensure residential rental housing in the city is maintained in safe and sanitary conditions and to ensure that all rental units meet applicable building, fire, health and safety codes and to provide an efficient system for compelling both absentee and local landlords to correct violations and maintain, in proper condition, residential rental property in the city.

The ordinance establishes the mandatory registration of all residential rental units, a $25 per unit per year license fee that is capped at $500 per entity per year, periodic inspections every two years and compliance with standards aligned with building, fire, health, safety and zoning codes.

“From a life safety standpoint, regular inspection of multi-family rentals is critical. Smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and egress requirements are not optional, they are lifesaving measures,” Fire Chief Jason Matthews said. “This program helps ensure those protections are in place for every resident.”

For more information, to download registration materials and review inspection requirements go to www.parkersburgwv.gov/rentalregistration.