Crafton council adopts rental-inspection ordinance requiring three-year unit checks

Crafton Borough Council voted to approve Ordinance 16-80, amending Chapter 90 (Code Enforcement), Article 3, to require registration and a recurring inspection program for rental housing in the borough.

Supporters said the measure is a public-safety tool to catch missing smoke and carbon-monoxide detectors and other hazards in long‑term rental units. “As a renter myself, it would bring me a lot of sound mind to know that my landlord is happy to keep it compliant regularly,” resident Corey Rolla told council during public comment.

The ordinance requires landlords to register rental units with the borough and establishes inspections on a three‑year cycle. Manager John Tedesco read the motion onto the record as “a motion to approve ordinance 16 80 amending the borough’s rental inspection code chapter 90 code enforcement article 3 business and multifamily residence premises registration and inspection.” Council discussion clarified that inspections will check fire-safety items and code infractions similar to the existing occupancy inspection standard.

Council members debated how the inspections will be paid for and when the program will be implemented. Council and staff confirmed the fee schedule is set separately from the ordinance; council members referenced the borough’s 2025 fee schedule, which lists a $15 registration fee and shows a $60 per‑unit rental‑operation license fee and a $50 reinspection fee. Council also discussed administrative costs and whether fees should be revisited during the budget process.

The borough’s solicitor described an enforcement paragraph in the ordinance that triggers a series of compliance steps for landlords who do not register or who do not remedy violations. Council confirmed the borough will take responsibility for scheduling recurring inspections rather than relying on landlords to request them.

After deliberation the council voted to adopt the ordinance. The motion passed, recorded in the meeting transcript as “motion passes 5 to 1.” The ordinance was enacted at the council meeting; staff indicated full operational rollout will be scheduled by administration and that the fee schedule may be adjusted by council in a later session if desired.

Why this matters: Council members said recurring inspections will better protect tenants and adjacent properties by verifying smoke and CO detectors, egress, lighting, and other fire- and life‑safety items. Council members also emphasized that the program targets absentee landlords and long‑ungoverned units that have not been inspected for many years.

What remains to be decided: The specific calendar for implementation and any adjustment to per‑unit fees will be handled administratively and through the annual fee schedule process. Council indicated staff will return with additional implementation steps and customer‑communication plans before the program begins in earnest.