Property Maintenance in Allentown, PA (2026)
3 verified property maintenance rules for Allentown, Pennsylvania, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Property Blight
Allentown's Blighted Property Review Committee can declare a dangerous, dilapidated or vacant structure "blighted" and order the owner to fix it. Ignore the order and the property can be certified to the Redevelopment Authority for acquisition, including by eminent domain.
Allentown Blighted Property Review & Abatement
Significant RestrictionsCity of Allentown Code § 12-16 and § 12-18 (Ch. 12, Art. IV, Blighted Property Review Committee; adopted 10-18-1978 by Ord. No. 12323, amended in its entirety 3-17-2021 by Ord. No. 15687)
The Committee shall use the following definition of "blight" in its determinations under this article as set forth in Section 12.1 of the law, 35 P.S. § 1712.1, Blighted Property Removal, Section 205 of the Eminent Domain Code, 26 Pa.C.S.A. § 205, and Property Maintenance Code, § 455-1. ... A structure which is a fire hazard or is otherwise dangerous to the safety of persons or property under C...
Vacant Lot Maintenance
Allentown requires vacant structures, premises and unimproved land to be kept clean, safe, secure and sanitary so they don't cause blight, under the City's 2025 Property Maintenance Code. Owners must get a compliance inspection before reoccupying a vacant building, keep the yard clear of trash and overgrowth, and secure openings against trespassers and vermin.
Allentown Vacant Land and Structure Rules
Some RestrictionsCity of Allentown Property Maintenance Code § 455-2.D, § 301.3 (Ord. No. 16137, adopted 5-21-2025)
301.3 Vacant structures and land. Vacant structures and premises thereof or vacant land shall be maintained in a clean, safe, secure and sanitary condition as provided herein so as not to cause a blighting problem or adversely affect the public health or safety and in addition must conform to the following: (1) Prior to occupancy, any vacant structure must be inspected and receive a certificate...
Snow & Sidewalk Clearing
Allentown property owners must clear snow and ice from the sidewalk within 10 hours after snow, sleet or rain stops falling, as measured by the National Weather Service at ABE Airport. A three-foot-wide cleared path satisfies the duty, and violators face escalating fines under Chapter 545.
Allentown: Clear Sidewalk Snow Within 10 Hours
Some RestrictionsAllentown Code of Ordinances § 545-3
All persons owning, controlling or occupying any private property, premises, lot or tract of land adjoining or fronting upon any of the streets of the City shall remove snow and ice from the sidewalk area or footway of such premises within 10 hours after it shall have ceased snowing, sleeting or raining as reported by the National Weather Service at the ABE Airport. It shall be considered compl...
Looking for Lehigh County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Allentown city rules.
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