HARRISBURG – The Senate Urban Affairs and Housing Committee unanimously approved a proposal by Senator David G. Argall (R-Schuylkill/Berks) on Monday to shorten the timeframe when property owners must bring their property into compliance with property maintenance codes.
Under current law, property owners have 18 months to bring a property into compliance or demolish the property. Senate Bill 942 would shorten that timeframe to 12 months. Municipalities may also enforce shorter compliance than 12 months if the timeframe is established in their property maintenance code.
“Blight is contagious and can spread block by block,” Argall said. “I’m hopeful that this additional tool will aid local governments in their war on blight.”