e. Defense. When tenants are culpable for violations resulting in a suspension notice, the
Property Owner may request a stay of suspension proceedings by providing written
evidence of the initiation of eviction proceedings against culpable tenants. If tenants
are evicted, the Property Owner may request termination of the suspension
proceedings. If suspension has been stayed, but the tenants are not evicted,
suspension proceedings can be reinstated by the municipality.
f. Consent agreement and stay of suspension. The Principal Code Official is empowered
during the course of an administrative inquiry on suspension of a Residential Rental
Permit to enter into a consent agreement with the Owner. The consent agreement may
set forth steps and conditions designed to bring the Property into and remain in
compliance with Town Bylaws. In conjunction with the consent agreement, the
Principal Code Official may stay the effective date of the suspension to afford the
Owner an opportunity to complete the steps as set forth in the agreement and to
comply with any further conditions outlined in the agreement. If during the stay, a
violation of the consent agreement occurs, the stay shall be immediately lifted and the
suspension reinstated. As part of the consent agreement, the Principal Code Official is
authorized to require that additional penalties be included in the agreement for failure
to comply with the terms of the agreement.
4. Appeals.