Erie, PA Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)

55, a building is unsafe if it has inadequate means of egress, inadequate light or ventilation, presents a fire hazard or other danger to human life or public welfare, is illegally or improperly occupied, or is inadequately maintained. The ordinance goes further than typical blight rules on one point: an unsecured vacant building is automatically classified unsafe, with no separate finding of structural danger required. Once the Building Code Official or Fire Inspector determines an unsafe condition exists, the official must order the building vacated and must serve written notice on the owner or the owner's agent by certified mail or personal service, stating the required repairs.

If service cannot be completed by mail or in person, the notice is posted at the entrance of the structure. When a building is ordered vacated, the official posts a notice at every entrance stating the structure is unsafe and occupancy is prohibited, and that order cannot be rescinded until the owner corrects the unsafe condition. For elevators, the Department may seal the unit for an unsafe condition, and only the Department can authorize removing that seal once the hazard is corrected. 55 specifically cannot be stayed, meaning a vacate order takes effect regardless of a pending appeal.