Council to pursue enforcement on unpermitted living quarters and business licenses

During the March 4 work meeting, council members reviewed unfinished business relating to business licenses, required fire inspections and long‑standing compliance issues in the town.

Staff described cases where variances or permits were granted in prior years without adequate documentation and where some properties now appear to host unpermitted living quarters or multiple trailers that raise code and licensing concerns.

"We're gonna send them a letter...we're only required to just notify them," S2 said, noting the council will use certified letters and the town attorney to create a clear enforcement trail. Council directed staff to document attempts to notify owners, request required inspections (fire and safety) and, if necessary, pursue revocation procedures rather than waiting until a renewal cycle.

Why it matters: The council said consistent documentation and certified notices are necessary to enforce code obligations and to protect public safety. Members singled out prior variances that lacked an expiration or stipulations and an illegal trailer‑park situation as enforcement priorities.

Next steps: Staff will send certified letters, ask the town attorney to prepare revocation language and document compliance steps. Council members said they prefer to focus enforcement on specific problem properties rather than an across-the-board crackdown on all accessory living quarters.

Context: The town previously attempted informal compliance; members said the new attorney’s guidance will determine the formal next steps and that documentation will establish a defensible enforcement record if revocations become necessary.