Borough director: rental-inspection enforcement stepped up; notices sent, court hearings pending

West Chester borough staff told council enforcement of rental licenses intensified in March, and notices of violation have gone to owners who are not in full compliance.

The borough’s director said notices cover this year and the 2023–24 period and give property owners until April 15 to respond; otherwise staff will begin issuing citations. The director also said the borough added an affidavit on its website for owners who now occupy a unit and want to close a rental license.

The changes follow the council’s recent ordinance revision that treats any unit that is not owner-occupied as a rental, the director said. That includes some family-occupied units now classified as rentals under the revised ordinance.

“Notices of violations have gone out to all properties that are not in full compliance with their rental licenses,” the director said. The director also told council there is one property that “could be at 10, but the court hearings have not been — they haven't had the court hearings yet,” meaning court findings would be required before the borough assigns enforcement points used in the licensing penalty system.

Councilmember Daryl Cook, a resident of South Hornet Street, asked whether any rental units had reached 10 enforcement points; the director repeated that points are assigned only if courts find violations and that several hearings are scheduled in May.

Staff said code officers performed 127 annual rental inspections in March (up from 111 in February) and issued 91 tickets in March across property-maintenance and related violations. Code officers also conducted reinspections of larger properties and have been patrolling for cafe-permit compliance and helping businesses apply when needed.

Zoning and licensing work continued alongside enforcement: the zoning hearing board granted special exceptions for three short-term rental applications and approved a sight-line variance for 211 Dean Street, the director reported.

What’s next: property owners who received notices must respond by April 15 or face citations; the borough will track responses to affidavits claiming owner-occupancy and close licenses where appropriate. Staff said it will follow through on court scheduling and assign points only after any judicial findings.

The director’s report did not include a council vote on additional enforcement authority or new penalties; staff said any future changes would return to council for action.