Building and code reports approved; rental‑inspection program enforces immediate action for life‑threatening conditions

Amy Latimer of Elkhart’s Building and Code Department presented the January building and code reports and the rental‑inspection program update to the Board of Public Safety on Feb. 24. The board approved the building and code report and then approved the rental‑inspection report for January 2026.

Latimer said many January rental applications were submitted just before the Dec. 31 cutoff, so inspection work completed in January reflects applications received in late December. She described the failed‑inspection workflow: life‑threatening conditions — Latimer cited recent high carbon‑monoxide readings as examples — require immediate remediation and tenant relocation; those costs are the landlord’s responsibility and should be covered by insurance. Most failed inspections are non‑life‑threatening and are given 30–60 days to correct.

The board approved the reports by voice vote. The chair noted some lease and fire merit commission minutes were not in the meeting packet and tabled those items to the next meeting.