The Fresno City Council has passed an amendment to the Rental Housing Inspection Act in order to address serial violations from landlords.

This amendment comes a year after the passing of the act, which reportedly found a large number of violations for noise and refuse violations (such as trash left on yards). According to a press release from the office of Miguel Arias (District 3), these violations come from a small group of property owners owning hundreds of locations in Fresno.

“This amendment will ensure the City of Fresno does not become the property manager for those who own hundreds of properties in our city and that we fulfill the intent of the rental housing program, to provide quality housing,” Arias said.

The revision defines serial violators as owners who receive ten or more citations for ten or more properties in a year. Penalty fees for serial violators will total $1,000 for the first violation, $5,000 for the second and $10,000 for the third and further.