Council to research code change after resident seeks ceiling-height exception for rental permit
November 04, 2025 | Bellefonte, Centre County, Pennsylvania
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A Bellefonte resident, Zeb Smoyer, asked council to reconsider the borough's adoption of section 404.3 of the Center Region Property Maintenance Code after being denied a rental permit because second-floor bedrooms in his older house fall below the code's 7-foot minimum ceiling height.
Smoyer said he was requesting reconsideration so he could rent the home while he moves away temporarily. Council members and borough staff explained the limits of council authority: the borough cannot grant an individual, on-the-spot exemption to a regional property-maintenance standard. Gina, borough staff, explained the available paths: an appeal to the Center Region Property Maintenance Code Board of Appeals for an interpretation of the code, or a local ordinance amendment that would change Bellefonte’s adopted language and could provide a local exception.
Council discussed precedent and safety rationale underlying the 7-foot guidance — a staff member summarized fire-safety reasoning presented by the code agency, noting how modern furnishings and lower ceilings can speed flashover and reduce egress time. Council members suggested asking staff to research how other municipalities have handled grandfathering or local exceptions and return with recommended language.
Rather than attempt a unilateral exemption, the council voted to ask staff to research options and prepare materials, to include code history, safety rationale, and possible ordinance language or appeal paths, so that council can consider either an appeal process or an amendment at a later meeting.
Smoyer said he was requesting reconsideration so he could rent the home while he moves away temporarily. Council members and borough staff explained the limits of council authority: the borough cannot grant an individual, on-the-spot exemption to a regional property-maintenance standard. Gina, borough staff, explained the available paths: an appeal to the Center Region Property Maintenance Code Board of Appeals for an interpretation of the code, or a local ordinance amendment that would change Bellefonte’s adopted language and could provide a local exception.
Council discussed precedent and safety rationale underlying the 7-foot guidance — a staff member summarized fire-safety reasoning presented by the code agency, noting how modern furnishings and lower ceilings can speed flashover and reduce egress time. Council members suggested asking staff to research how other municipalities have handled grandfathering or local exceptions and return with recommended language.
Rather than attempt a unilateral exemption, the council voted to ask staff to research options and prepare materials, to include code history, safety rationale, and possible ordinance language or appeal paths, so that council can consider either an appeal process or an amendment at a later meeting.
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