Aug 12, 2015 3 min read

South Strabane Township supervisors updated a previous rental occupancy ordinance Tuesday to require landlords to report the names of the tenants in their dwellings.

The ordinance imposes a $25 annual administrative fee and also requires the list of dwelling units and businesses owned by the landlord, addresses, a brief description and whether or not they are occupied.

“We don’t have a business tax,” said John Keisling, board chairman. “This looks like a good thing to get started.”

The board, minus Supervisor Robert Koman, who was absent, voted unanimously to approve the new ordinance, in which landlords have 30 days to pay the fee and fill out a form provided by the township. The landlord must also notify the township of any changes throughout the year.

An earned income tax is levied on all residents; a list of renters will allow the township to know who is paying, said John Stickle, township manager.

“It’s also helpful to know the names of folks residing and renting in the township for emergency or evacuation purposes,” Stickle said. “It helps to know who’s living where.”

Failure to make the report or update changes could result in a fine of up to $1,000.

“Anybody who has tenants in South Strabane, whether in an apartment or house, has to report to the township,” Stickle said.

Municipalities enforcing such a requirement is not uncommon. Neighboring North Strabane Township and the City of Washington have implemented similar rental registration processes. Although there are no fees associated with Washington’s permit, landlords in the city must also update their lists yearly.

In his role as township manager, Stickle will maintain the registry and notify the chief of police, fire chief and tax collector of the findings.

Those exempt from the registration include landlords of hotels, boarding houses or campgrounds, who would not be required to provide the names of guests unless staying more than 30 days.

“It takes a while to build up a database,” said Keisling. “It won’t happen overnight.”

In other business, the board is considering changes to an existing ordinance that would allow chickens to be kept as pets, which is currently forbidden except on agricultural-zoned land. The issue will be on the planning commission’s agenda for the 7 p.m. Sept. 3 meeting in the municipal building.

A public hearing will be continued at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 25 in the municipal building, to receive public comment on a proposed amendment to the oil and gas well ordinance, including whether to allow drilling in an R-2 residential zone.