Council adopts updated property maintenance code after second reading

Lock Haven’s City Council adopted Ordinance 2022‑02 on second reading Feb. 21, 2022, updating the city’s property maintenance code and applying it to both the rental inspection program and general property maintenance enforcement.

The ordinance draft presented to council was prepared by a council subcommittee, the city solicitor and outside special counsel and had been properly advertised. The code enforcement officer summarized the changes and explained the council‑approved version incorporates earlier council revisions and explicitly integrates elements of the city’s rental inspection program.

Councilors pressed staff on accessibility of the International Property Maintenance Code cited in the ordinance, noting that the international code text is not freely available to residents. The code enforcement officer acknowledged that the local ordinance references the international standard and said the adopted version now provides accessible, typed‑out provisions rather than simply referencing the external publication.

On snow and ice removal, council confirmed enforcement is handled by police under the current language and that sidewalks must be cleared within 24 hours of the cessation of a storm. Council asked staff to ensure language and enforcement expectations are clear to the public.

Outcome: Ordinance 2022‑02 was moved, seconded and approved by roll call; staff will publish the adopted text in accessible form and follow up on public information regarding enforcement expectations.

Next steps: Publish the adopted ordinance text, clarify public guidance on snow/ice removal timeframes and update enforcement procedures as needed.