Bill > SB214

This bill establishes a comprehensive framework to address neighborhood blight and property maintenance in Pennsylvania through two key mechanisms: the Municipal Codes Enforcement Grant Program and county property maintenance code provisions. The grant program will provide competitive funding to municipalities without existing codes enforcement programs, helping them establish code enforcement initiatives, hire and train personnel, and improve property maintenance. Grants are limited to $100,000 and can be received for no more than three consecutive years, with recipients required to match the grant amount through funds or in-kind contributions. The bill also enables municipalities to create neighborhood mitigation funds, which can be funded through penalties collected from serious property maintenance violations, with escalating fine amounts for repeat offenders ($25-$250 for first violation, $250-$500 for second, and $500-$1,000 for third or subsequent violations). Additionally, the bill authorizes counties to enact property maintenance codes and enforcement mechanisms, particularly in municipalities lacking their own property maintenance ordinances, and allows counties to enter into intergovernmental agreements to enforce these codes. The Department of Community and Economic Development is required to submit annual reports on grant awards and establish implementation guidelines within 180 days of the act's effective date, which is set 180 days after passage.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=S&type=B&bn=214