Resident says rental registration is 'invasion of privacy,' council defends fee

At the Forest Park City Council meeting on March 4, a resident identifying herself as Miss Jones said she received a rental-registration mailing that requested tenant information and a $100 payment and described the request as an "invasion of privacy." She said the form she received appeared to be a tax document but was routed to the building-inspection department and that the $100 fee was higher than a prior $25 notice she recalled.

"I think it's an invasion of privacy," Miss Jones said, adding that she owns two properties in Forest Park and questioned why the city would need tenant details when it inspects from the street.

City officials responded that the city recently passed a rental-registration ordinance intended to enumerate rental properties, identify owners and agents, and improve the city's ability to track maintenance issues and tax responsibilities. City Manager Don Jones said the registration helps the city find property ownersparticularly institutional investors who live out of townso staff can better administer tax and property maintenance processes.

Officials said the registration requires owners to certify that properties meet building, health and safety standards and that the city uses drive-by inspections as part of enforcement. The city added that owners may opt out of a city-conducted inspection if they submit a certified inspection from a registered professional (an architect or certified building official), but that opting out does not remove the registration or fee obligation.

Council acknowledged the cost concern. The resident said she had been cited previously and believed she had been sent an incorrect opt-out form; staff said they would follow up with the city manager's office to get the correct materials to her.

Key clarifications from the meeting: the registration fee cited by the resident is $100; larger apartment complexes are assessed additional per-unit fees; the opt-out provision applies only to the physical inspection (by submitting a certified third-party inspection) and does not waive registration or the fee.

City staff encouraged residents with questions to stay after the meeting or leave contact information so staff could provide the correct forms and explain the process.