Harrisburg, PA Public Health Rules: Rodent Control (2026)

Section 6-301.14 gives the City two tools: an order to vectorproof and a program plan requirement. The vectors named in the section are rats, flies and mosquitoes, and the order can reach any dwelling, building, structure, accessory structure, premises or vacant lot found to be providing harborage or breeding areas. Removing vectorproofing from a building, structure, accessory structure or vacant lot for any purpose and failing to restore it in like condition is unlawful for the owner, occupant, contractor, public utility company, plumber or any other person.

Under § 6-301.14(C), the Health Officer or designee can require the owner or agent to submit a program plan and specifications for a private vector control program. The plan states the type of vectors to be controlled, the name of the company contracted to carry out the program and all work to be conducted. If the Health Officer finds the plan inadequate or incomplete, additional information and additional control methods can be required.

Responsibility for extermination is spelled out in § 6-301.2(D). The occupant of a single-dwelling building is responsible, as is an occupant of a unit in a multi-unit building when only that unit is infested. The owner is responsible when infestation is caused by failure to maintain a vectorproof or reasonably insectproof dwelling, or when two or more units or the shared or public parts are infested.

Related sections go after what feeds rodents. Section 6-313.9 bars depositing refuse, offal, decaying matter or any organic substance where it affords food or harborage for rats, flies or other vectors, and requires stored lumber, boxes, scrap and similar material to be in approved covered receptacles or on open racks elevated not less than 18 inches above the ground. Section 6-309.4(E) requires garbage receptacles to be rinsed and drained as often as necessary so as not to provide food, harborage or a breeding area for insects, birds or other vectors.