SANFORD — The City Council unanimously agreed to regulate rental housing and vacant and derelict buildings on Tuesday after months of subcommittee meetings, two public hearings, a workshop that saw public comment and a desire to make change that goes back at least two years.

Some landlords are opposed to the licensing and inspection of units — some on Tuesday spoke to privacy rights of tenants, others worried that code infractions as mild as grass growing up through their driveways might touch off a violation. Others seemed resigned to the proposed ordinance — some said it will drive up rental prices.

Councilor Lucas Lanigan said of all the comment, there was one group the city hadn’t heard from.

“I haven’t heard one tenant come in here screaming about a violation of their rights or paying (an extra) $8 a month,” he said, the estimated cost of inspection. Lanigan said the housing ordinance the council passed on Tuesday is designed to protect tenants who are worried about being evicted by landlords when they complain about the condition of their buildings.

The council chambers were at standing-room only; while most attended because of the rental housing proposal, a few were there for other matters.

Inspections of units will be pre-arranged. Costs vary depending on the number of units, but the minimum  is $100 and the maximum is $500. If a building passes inspection after two attempts in the first year, the fee is reduced by 50 percent the following year.

The approval also endorses a licensing fee for vacant buildings and creates a new Land Bank Authority and deals with abandoned buildings. As well, the council will establish a panel of seven Land Bank Authority Commissioners to direct policy in the new department, made up of three city councilors and four appointees.

“This project protects landlords and tenants,” said Councilor Fred Smith.

A number of landlords spoke, including one man who said he has owned a four-unit for 13 years and is anxious to sell. He said he paid $300,000 for the building, put $50,000 into it and figures he’d get $230,000 at a sale. He said he maintains the building and said tenants are destructive.

Others asked if the city would be willing to work with landlords on violations over time.

Ian Houseal, the city’s community development director, said life safety codes will be of prime concern.

“Unless we do something, no  one will want to live here in 10 years,” said Councilor John Tuttle.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or twells@journaltribune.com.