Erie, PA Public Health Rules: Rodent Control (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- City of Erie Codified Ordinances Article 354
- Definition covered
- habitability includes freedom from vermin infestations
- Enforcer
- City of Erie Code Official
- Penalty
- $100 to $1,000 per offense
- Tenant protection
- no retaliatory eviction after a violation notice
- Related standard
- 'vermin or rat infested' structure ruled unfit, § 330.02
Summary
Erie's Tenant Bill of Rights writes freedom from vermin infestation into the legal definition of a rental unit's habitability. Landlords must maintain that standard for the whole lease term, and the City's Code Official can issue a written notice of violation ordering repairs. Violating Article 354 costs a landlord $100 to $1,000 per offense.
HABITABILITY - Housing that includes functional plumbing and sewage systems that are free from leaks or clogs, reliable electrical systems that meet safety requirements, and heating systems capable of maintaining safe and adequate indoor temperatures. Housing must also be structurally sound, with intact floors, walls, roofs, and ceiling, and must remain free from hazards such as mold, lead-based hazards, and vermin infestations. ... (1) Right to safe and sanitary housing. A. Tenants are entitled to housing that meets basic health and safety standards as defined under "habitability" per the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code and/or any other applicable federal, state and/or local laws. B. Landlords are required to maintain habitability throughout the duration of the lease and failure to maintain these standards may result in legal or administrative enforcement actions as outlined by this ordinance.
Full Breakdown
Article 354 of the Codified Ordinances, the City's Tenant Bill of Rights (Ord. No. 66-2023, as amended through Ord. No. 04). 05(a)(1) gives every tenant a right to safe and sanitary housing under the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code and other applicable law, and states that landlords are required to maintain habitability throughout the duration of the lease, with a failure to do so exposing the landlord to legal or administrative enforcement action. 04, inspects a rental on a tenant's request and issues a written Notice of Violation ordering the landlord to correct any vermin problem. 12). 02), which lets the City withhold or revoke a residential rental license until the condition is fixed.
Violations & Fines
A landlord who lets a vermin infestation or any other habitability failure go uncorrected faces a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $1,000 for each offense under § 354.99, and the ordinance expressly preserves a tenant's right to also pursue any other legal remedy. Retaliating against a tenant who reports the problem, by ending the lease or raising rent to cover the repair, is separately unlawful under § 354.12 unless the Code Official certifies the unit must be vacated for the work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a landlord required to deal with a rodent problem in Erie?
What can I do if my landlord won't fix an infestation?
What's the penalty for an Erie landlord who ignores the rule?
Does the city itself do pest extermination?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Erie
Compare Erie to another location·View the Pennsylvania public health rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.