Codes and Ordinances

Landlords in Centre County are required to have a rental permit. Officials inspect the property before issuing the permit and conduct re-inspections every one to three years to ensure it is habitable and meets basic safety standards. Local codes and ordinances govern things like structural conditions, pests, sanitation, and fire safety.

The Borough of State College assigns nuisance points to rental properties if tenants violate certain ordinances such as noise or fire code ordinances. Landlords are very strict about such violations because they may lose their rental permit if the property acquires too many nuisance points. Review your lease to understand your landlord’s policies if you are issued a citation that results in nuisance points.

The Borough provides information about ordinances and many other topics relevant to renters in Lion Guide and their Ready Reference for Renters publication.