Allentown council adopts International Property Maintenance Code; staff to pursue inspector certification

The Allentown City Council voted unanimously to repeal Chapter 455 (the city's property rehabilitation and maintenance code) and adopt the International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) as its replacement.

Councilmember Hamlin read Bill 45, which the council's committee recommended favorably. The measure passed on a 7-0 roll call after a period of public comment and questions from councilmembers.

City enforcement officials told the council the adoption will standardize enforcement practices. Ellie McElroy, enforcement and compliance officer for the city of Allentown, said the IPMC requires standardized, proctored testing and continuing education for inspectors, which she said will increase credibility and clarity in enforcement. "It's going to give them credibility to enforce the ordinance," McElroy said. "They're going to have to have continuing education." She added that continuing education would occur every three years after certification.

Councilmember Joseph Zukul asked whether certification will be mandatory for inspectors to enforce the code. City staff responded that the administration is encouraging certification for inspectors and intends to require certified testing for new inspectors, but that certification is not strictly required for the city to enforce the code at this time. The staff answer indicated the change is intended to professionalize and standardize the inspection workforce rather than to remove enforcement authority from uncertified staff.

The bill had been considered in committee and returned to full council with a favorable recommendation. The roll-call vote recorded yeses from Miss Santos, Miss Zukoll, Mister Hendricks, Miss Zappa, Miss Gerlach, Miss Mota, and Mister Napoli. The measure passed with seven yeas and no nays.

The ordinance replaces the locally written Chapter 455 with the IPMC text; the council did not specify an effective date during the meeting. Staff said further implementation details and training timelines will follow as the administration develops procedures for certification and continuing education.

The council did not adopt any amendment to the bill during the meeting. Committee materials and the city's enforcement staff will provide more information on training schedules and a timeline for when inspectors will be expected to seek certification.