Rental Property Regulation
Safe homes.
Clear responsibilities.
A guide to Gratz Borough’s rental property registration, inspection, and occupancy permit requirements.
See the permit processPurpose
Protecting residents and strengthening rental housing.
The ordinance establishes a systematic program for registering, licensing, and inspecting residential rental units. Its goal is to protect public health, safety, and welfare while encouraging owners to maintain and improve rental housing in the Borough.
Owner checklist
Before a unit is rented
These are the ordinance’s central requirements. The complete ordinance—not this summary—controls.
Valid permit
Do not lease or rent a unit without filing an application, completing inspection, and receiving a current Rental Occupancy Permit.
Local agent
An owner outside the Borough or more than a 20-mile air radius away must appoint a natural-person agent within that radius. A P.O. box is not sufficient.
Insurance
Provide the insurer, policy number, expiration date, and certificate of insurance. General liability coverage must be at least $100,000, with hazard and casualty coverage sufficient to restore or remove the building.
Accounts current
A permit will not be issued while property taxes, assessments, or water and sewer utilities are delinquent on the unit or another rental in which the same owner has an interest.
How it works
From application
to occupancy.
Each step creates a clear record and a path to compliance. See links at the bottom of this page for permit application and questions.
Apply
The owner files a Rental Occupancy Permit application with the Borough Secretary and supplies the requested owner, property, tenant, agent, utility, and insurance information.
Schedule inspection
The rental unit and structure are made available for inspection. The review checks compliance with applicable building and property-maintenance codes.
Correct deficiencies
If violations are found, the Borough issues a written Certificate of Non-Compliance describing the condition, applicable code, and time allowed for correction.
Receive the permit
When the unit and structure comply, a Rental Occupancy Permit is issued. The permit remains valid for two years unless denied or revoked.
Key rules
Occupancy changes
Owners must report vacancies and changes in tenant identity to the Borough Secretary in writing within 10 days.
Noncompliance and reinspection
A Certificate of Non-Compliance identifies violations and gives a reasonable cure period. Emergency conditions may require immediate mitigation. Follow-up inspections continue until violations are cured or the unit is removed from rental consideration.
Change of ownership
Permits do not transfer. A new owner must obtain a permit, and the seller must notify the Borough Secretary in writing within five business days, including the new owner’s contact information.
No Borough warranty
A permit is not a warranty or representation that a unit is free of every known, unknown, obvious, or hidden danger, or that it is safe or habitable.
Enforcement
Violations carry daily penalties.
A person found in violation may be fined from $100 to $1,000, plus court costs, and may face imprisonment for up to 90 days. Each day or portion of a day that a violation continues may constitute a separate offense. The Borough may also seek equitable enforcement.
Use this page as a guide.
This webpage summarizes the rental property ordinance for convenience. It is not legal advice and does not replace the enacted ordinance, adopted fee schedules, application forms, or instructions issued by Gratz Borough.
Read the full ordinance here. Download the permit application. Have questions or need help, please contact our Code Enforcement Officer.
