Latrobe could enact stricter regulations for vacant, rental properties

Proposed changes to a Latrobe ordinance aim to rid the city of dilapidated and deteriorated buildings by enacting stricter regulations for vacant and rental properties.

The changes, which were recommended by the Latrobe Planning Commission, now await council approval.

They would grant the code officer permission to order immediate demolition of vacant buildings that pose a hazard or imminent danger to the public’s health and safety.

If a property owner fails to demolish the property, the code officer can order the demolition; the costs would be billed to the property owner.

Additionally, the changes would require all rental units to undergo inspection before a unit is leased or on a three-year basis, whichever comes first.

The code officer will complete the inspection. Rental properties that are not in compliance with the city’s zoning, property maintenance or health and safety standards will be required to meet requirements within seven to 30 days.

Property owners who do not comply with the new regulations could be subject to a fine of $25 to $1,000 and up to 90 days of imprisonment. Each day that a violation continues to occur after due notice will be considered a separate offense.

The magistrate will determine the penalty based on the property’s history and severity of the violation, according to Jim Nieusma, the city’s code enforcement zoning officer.

If the changes pass, Nieusma said he will try to set “reasonable time limits” for property owners to meet standards.

“We don’t want fines; we don’t want penalties,” Nieusma said during Tuesday’s meeting. “We want compliance.”

In March, Westmoreland County Redevelopment Authority and Land Bank Executive Director Brian Lawrence told the council that, of Latrobe’s 3,912 properties, 57 properties, or 1.4%, are in poor condition and 368, or 9.4%, are in fair condition.