The Rental Licensing
and Inspection
Program is designed
to ensure a minimum
level of life, health,
safety and welfare for
all rental properties
within the Borough of
Matamoras.
PROGRAM HISTORY
In 2023, the Matamoras Borough Council adopted an ordinance to license and inspect the residential
rental units located throughout the Borough. Beginning January 1 st of 2024, the Code Enforcement Department will start accepting Rental License applications.
PROGRAM SUMMARY
The Code Enforcement Department will register, license and conduct inspections of residential rental units in Matamoras Borough of single family, two-family and multi-family homes to ensure that residents are living in safe, habitable conditions.
The program:
Establishes minimum requirements and standards for interior and exterior conditions of structures and premises including:
Exterior/Interior property area is clean, safe & sanitary
Fire and life-safety systems are operational
Heating, plumbing & electrical systems are safe
Chapter 93 of the Borough Code adopts the 2009 International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) with amendments.
A standard inspection checklist will be used during inspection to address any code violations and compliance with Borough Codes and IPMC habitability standards.
PROGRAM COMPONENTS
RENTAL PROPERTY REGISTRATION & ANNUAL LICENSING
Initial rental unit registration. Initial application and fees for 2024 will be accepted after January 1 st and must be received no later than March 1 st , 2024.
Annual applications and fees are due by January 1 st . Required for all residential rental units, including single family homes, two-family & multi-family.
Rental units subject to inspection- With advance notice we will provide inspections schedule after the initial rental application is submitted for review and approval.
Inspection fees are based on the total number of rental units on a property (see attached inspection fee schedule).
RENTAL PROPERTY INSPECTION PROGRAM
Inspections will be scheduled once the Rental Unit has been registered and the annual license has been
issued. The owner or designated agent is responsible for completing the inspection request form which
includes a tenant inspection consent form. Each tenant of a rental unit must complete the inspection
consent form. Once the inspection date is scheduled, owners and tenants will receive an email confirming the date and time.
Property owners that live more than 20 miles from the Borough of Matamoras shall designate a property manager or property maintenance company that resides or whose business is in or within 20 miles of the Borough of Matamoras who will be the contact person for the rental unit.
Advance notice of intent to inspect will be emailed to owners/agents and tenants to allow to schedule.
RENTAL PROPERTY PROGRAM FEES
RENTAL PROPERTY ANNUAL LICENSE FEE:
$40.00 annual rental license fee- per building
LICENSE APPLICATION AND FEES ARE DUE NO LATER THAN JANUARY 1 ST OF EACH YEAR. APPLICATIONS CAN BE FOUND BELOW, ON THE BOROUGH WEBSITE www.matamorasborough.com OR AT THE BOROUGH OFFICE.
RENTAL PROPERTY INSPECTION FEE SCHEDULE:
1 rental unit: $40.00 Inspection Fee
2 rental units: $70.00 Inspection Fee (if scheduled on the same day in the same building).
3 or more units: $30.00 Inspection Fee, per unit (if scheduled on the same day in the same building).
INSPECTIONS ARE REQUIRED WITH ORIGINAL LICENSING APPLICATION AND WHENEVER THERE IS A CHANGE IN TENANT. LANDLORD OR TENANT MAY REQUEST ADDITIONAL INSPECTIONS.
INSPECTION PROCEDURES
Prior to scheduling an inspection, a building owner is encouraged to download a copy of the Inspection Checklist and perform a pre-inspection of each rental unit. This will expedite the inspection process. Our Code Official is available to answer any questions or concerns that you may have regarding an inspection requirement or a possible code violation. You can also access the link on our website to the 2009 International Property Maintenance Code.
As 2024 is the initial start-up of the rental registration program there will be an influx of inspection requests. Inspections will be scheduled in an expedited manner but may take additional time.
Once the license packet is received the owner or owner’s agent will be contacted via email to set up an
inspection date and time. Once an inspection is completed a rental license will be issued.
PLEASE CONTACT THE BOROUGH CODE ENFORCEMENT DEPARTMENT IF YOU HAVE ANY
QUESTIONS REGARDING RENTAL REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OR INSPECTIONS. YOU CAN
CONTACT OUR CODE OFFICIAL VIA EMAIL AT [email protected]
COMMON PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE VIOLATIONS
**Maintenance of exterior property areas (i.e. grass, weeds, fences, sidewalks & driveways)
**Unregistered and/or uninspected motor vehicles-this includes trailers and RV’s.
**911 address identifying the property and unit numbers.
**Exterior decks/porches not maintained.
**Exterior siding and roof coverings not maintained (i.e missing or broken pieces, chipping paint, etc)
**Missing or inoperable smoke and C/O alarms.
**Heating facilities not properly functioning.
**Miscellaneous electrical issues.
**Improperly operating emergency escape and rescue opening in bedrooms.
**Compliant clothes dryer exhaust.
**Stairway guardrails and handrails missing or not maintained.
**Electrical outlets not working properly or not maintained.
**Main electrical breaker/fuse box not accessible to tenant.
**Main electrical breakers/fuses not identified.
**Swimming pools and barriers not maintained or are inadequate.
**Discarded appliances or furniture on property.
**Exhaust and dryer vents properly terminated outdoors.
**Leaking plumbing fixtures.
THE ABOVE LIST IS NOT INCLUSIVE OF ALL POTENTIAL VIOLATIONS!
Applications
Annual Rental License Application
Tenant Registration Application