Haverford, PA Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)

Chapter 184, adopted by the Board of Commissioners as the Neighborhood Blight Reclamation and Revitalization Ordinance, aims at deteriorated properties, public nuisances and properties in serious violation of state law or municipal codes. A serious violation is a violation of a state law or a code that poses an imminent threat to the health and safety of a dwelling occupant, occupants in surrounding structures or passersby. A public nuisance is property that, because of its physical condition or use, is regarded as one at common law or has been declared one under a municipal code.

Section 184-4 lets the Township sue the owner. An in personam action can follow a continuing violation for which the owner takes no substantial step to correct within six months following receipt of an order, unless the order is under pending appeal. In a single action the Township can recover an amount equal to the penalties imposed against the owner plus the costs of remediation lawfully incurred to fix the violation. Section 184-4B adds a proceeding in equity.

After a judgment, § 184-5 allows a lien against the owner's assets. Section 184-8 lets the Township or a Board, including the Zoning Hearing Board, deny municipal permits such as building permits, zoning exceptions and occupancy permits to an applicant who owns property with an uncorrected serious violation and an imposed penalty or judgment. A denial must list the street address and the court and docket number, and it cannot block a permit needed to correct the violation. The applicant can request a compliance letter, and § 184-8E deems the property compliant if no letter issues within 45 days of the request. Section 184-10 gives heirs of inherited property the chance to pay on reasonable terms or enter a remediation agreement. Dangerous buildings and fire-damaged buildings also appear in the Chapter 119 nuisance list.