CHAPTER 1484
Residential Rental Property Registration and Inspection
1484.01   Definitions.
1484.02   Registration and license requirement.
1484.03   Registration and license updates.
1484.04   Special circumstances.
1484.05   Registration and licensing of residential rental properties.
1484.06   Fees and penalties.
1484.07   Minimum fire safety devices - adherence to building codes.
1484.08   Inspection of residential rental properties.
1484.09   Inspection results.
1484.10   Inspection interval.
1484.11   Administrative appeals.
1484.01   DEFINITIONS.
   For the purposes of these regulations, the following words have the following meanings:
   (a)   "Building Code Official." The duly appointed Building Code Official of the City of Johnstown or their designated agent.
   (b)   "Dwelling unit." As defined within the City of Johnstown Zoning Ordinance.
   (c)   "Family." As defined within the City of Johnstown Zoning Ordinance.
   (d)   "Manager." Any person who has been hired and is paid by the owner to manage any dwelling or dwelling unit which is rented or offered for rent as a residential dwelling.
   (e)   "Owner." Any person who alone, or jointly, or severally with others: (1) shall have title to any dwelling or dwelling unit with or without accompanying actual possession thereof; or (2) shall have charge, control, or care of any dwelling or dwelling unit as owner or agent of the owner, or as executor, executrix, administrator, administrate, trustee or guardian of the estate of the owner. Any such person thus representing the actual owner shall be bound to comply with the provisions of this chapter, and of rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereof, to the same extent as if the person were the owner.
   (f)   "Residential rental occupancy license." The document issued annually by the Department of Codes Enforcement of the City of Johnstown to the owner, operator, responsible agent, or manager of a residential rental unit certifying the unit as licensed for being rented. Such license is required for lawful rental and occupancy of rental units. Whenever the word "license" is used herein, it shall mean "residential rental occupancy license" as defined by this definition.
   (g)   "Residential rental property."
      (1)   Owner occupied dwellings containing a dwelling unit inhabited by a person or persons other than the owner;
      (2)   Non-owner occupied dwellings containing two or more rental units; or
      (3)   Non-owner occupied single-family detached dwellings leased or rented to a person or persons for the purposes of use as a dwelling unit;
      (4)   Properties/rooms/units listed for rent on websites like “Airbnb”.
   (h)   "Vacant or abandoned structure." Any property that the owner(s) either voluntarily or involuntarily surrender or relinquish title to, with the intention of terminating ownership and possession, but without granting the property to another person. In essence any property which no responsible party is caring for and/or maintaining; or
      (1)   Unoccupied for a period of ninety days and/or is in foreclosure;
      (2)   Utilities have been disconnected or terminated for the structure.
(Ord. 5090. Passed 9-24-11; Ord. 5102. Passed 3-28-12; Ord. 5294. Passed 8- 12-20.)
1484.02   REGISTRATION AND LICENSE REQUIREMENT.
   (a)   It shall be unlawful for an owner to rent, receive rental income from or to offer for rent, any residential rental dwelling without first registering the residential rental property as set forth in this section. The owner of a residential rental property unit(s) shall hold a registration and license under this part for each residential rental dwelling unit and shall abide by the standards in Section 1484.05 to be eligible to retain the registration and license.
   (b)   The registration and license fee for a dwelling unit registered by an owner and for each additional unit registered within in the same dwelling are set forth in Section 1484.06. Such fee shall be due and payable upon submission of the rental property registration form.
   (c)   All owners of vacant/abandoned and/or foreclosure residential properties must register each property within the Department of Community and Economic office of City of Johnstown. If the property is abandoned, the telephone number, name and street address of the person or company responsible for maintenance must be provided. The registration form must be filed within fifteen days of abandonment or initiation of the foreclosure process. Such properties must be maintained in accordance with all applicable codes and the local owners or property managers must inspect them monthly. A sign with the name and twenty-four hour contact telephone number of the local owner(s) or property manager(s) must be posted on the front of the property so it is visible from the street. These properties shall be subject to inspections and other provisions of this chapter.
(Ord. 5090. Passed 9-24-11; Ord. 5102. Passed 3-28-12; Ord. 5294. Passed 8-12-20.)
1484.03   REGISTRATION AND LICENSE UPDATES.
   Any person taking title to a residential rental dwelling shall be the holder of the registration and license held by the prior owner for thirty days after the transfer of title is recorded by Cambria County's Recorder of Deeds or otherwise becomes legally binding. At such time said person(s) must submit an updated rental property registration form to the Department of Community and Economic office(s) of City of Johnstown. Non- compliance with this requirement will be subject to fees found in Section 1084.06.
(Ord. 5090. Passed 9-24-11; Ord. 5102. Passed 3-28-12; Ord. 5294. Passed 8-12-20.)
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