SALEM The city of Salem and its officials have asked a federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit filed by local property owners challenging the city’s new rental inspection ordinance. The city denies allegations that the ordinance is unconstitutional or that the fees associated with it are an illegal tax.

The lawsuit, filed by Mark Courtney of Alliance and others, alleges that Salem’s ordinance, which requires inspections for all rental units, mandates a "warrantless government search" in violation of the U.S. and Ohio Constitutions. Courtney also claims that the fees of $117 per rental unit for applications and licenses are an unlawful tax.

In a document filed in U.S. District Court, the Salem defendants, including the city, Director of Housing Kayla Crowl, and Housing Inspectors Jarrod Rich

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