City of Easton, PA Article I Property Registration; Occupancy Limitation Certification

[Adopted 10-27-1966 by Ord. No. 1929 (Art. 1198 of the 1965 Codified Ordinances); amended in its entirety 4-10-2019 by Ord. No. 5674]

§ 456-1 Rental registration and occupancy limitation.

The owner or operator of any structure or dwelling unit which is let or rented to another for the purpose of living therein shall register such rental unit or units and tenants in accordance with Articles II and III in this chapter and shall obtain a rental license in accordance with this chapter. Such rental license shall give notice of the maximum occupancy per dwelling unit permitted under the applicable provisions of this article and any other applicable ordinances and regulations of the City. Rooming houses subject to obtaining permits pursuant to Ch. 435, Article II, of this Code of the City of Easton are hereby exempted from the requirements of this section.

§ 456-2 Change of owner or operator.

A. Any change in the address of the persons cited in § 456-1 shall be reported to the Department of Planning and Codes within 30 days after such change.

B. Upon any change in the ownership or control of any dwelling structure or dwelling unit which is let or rented to others for the purpose of living therein, the new owner or operator shall register such transfer by making application for a new rental license in accordance with this chapter within 30 days of the time of acquisition.

§ 456-3 Conversion or alteration of structure.

Within 30 days after the conversion or alteration of any structure to provide a number of dwelling units or occupancy differing from the number permitted under an issued certificate of occupancy or rental license, the owner or operator of such structure shall make application for a new rental license in accordance with this chapter.

§ 456-4 Contents of application.

The application for rental registration required by § 456-1 shall be made by the owner or operator and shall contain:

A. The name and address of the operator and the name and address of the owner if the operator is not the owner;

B. The location of the dwelling or dwelling unit, including the street and number of each entrance;

C. The number of dwelling units available for rent in accordance with the provisions of this article and with the rules and regulations issued thereunder and in accordance with any other applicable ordinances or regulations of the City;

D. If the owner or operator is a corporation, the name and address of its president, secretary and registered agent shall be given;

E. If the owner or operator does not actually reside within the City or is not customarily present at any office in the City for the purpose of transacting business, then such owner or operator shall register the name and address of a person or persons who reside within or are customarily present at an office in the City who will be responsible for the maintenance and operation of the dwelling or dwelling units in accordance with the provisions of this article and who will be authorized to receive notices and process on behalf of the owner or operator in connection with the enforcement of this article. In the event that the owner or operator is a corporation, or in the event that a corporate managing agent is designated by an owner or operator, the corporation shall designate an officer or agent as the person so responsible. The officer or agent designated as a managing agent shall meet the requirements of this subsection as to location and residence;

F. Any person who signs the application herein provided for shall certify that all statements therein contained are, to the best of his knowledge and belief, true and correct; and

G. Such other information as the Public Officer may require.

§ 456-5 Fee.

A. The rental property registration fee shall be as specified in Chapter 285, Fees.

B. Such application fee shall be payable to the City of Easton.

§ 456-6 Effective date.

After the effective date of this article, no person shall rent or let to another any dwelling or dwelling unit located within this City without having obtained an occupancy limitation certificate as required in this article, nor may any person rent or let any dwelling or dwelling unit to persons in excess of the maximum number permitted by such certificate.

§ 456-7 Sale or conveyance of dwelling.

Any person who sells or conveys any dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming house or rooming unit in the City shall comply with Chapter 222 and include in or as part of the agreement or instrument of sale a copy of any outstanding notice or order issued by the Department of Planning and Codes citing violations of the provisions of this or of any rule or regulation adopted by the City of Easton for the enforcement and implementation of this article which has not been complied with.

§ 456-8 Noncompliance warranty.

A seller, conveyor or agent who violates or fails to conform to the requirements of § 456-7, even if with the consent of the purchaser or transferee, thereby shall be conclusively presumed to have given his warranty that the property being sold or conveyed is in compliance with the provisions of this article and the rules and regulations adopted by the City of Easton for the enforcement and implementation of this article at the time and immediately prior to the sale or conveyance.