Penn Hills, PA Rental Property Rules: Repairs & Habitability (2026)
Key Facts
- Min. Bedroom Area
- 50 sq ft (1 occupant)
- Additional Occupant
- +25 sq ft each
- Roof Standard
- Structurally sound, watertight
- Adopted
- 1986, amended through 2018
Summary
Penn Hills' locally amended Existing Structures Code sets minimum physical habitability standards for dwellings, including bedroom floor-area minimums and separate-unit requirements, enforced by the Department of Code Enforcement.
Section 404.1 Area for sleeping purposes (Amended): Every room occupied for sleeping purposes by one occupant shall contain at least 50 square feet of floor area and every room occupied for sleeping purposes by more than one person shall contain at least 25 square feet of floor area for each occupant thereof.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4434863; v5 updated 2025-07-21; through 07-21-2025).
Full Breakdown
The Municipality of Penn Hills adopted the BOCA Basic/National Existing Structures Code as its local Housing Code in 1986, amended most recently in 2018. Local Section 404.1 sets a minimum sleeping-room floor area: 50 square feet for one occupant, 25 square feet per occupant when more than one person sleeps in the room. Local Section 403.1 requires dwelling units to be separate from each other and bars using one sleeping room as the sole access to another. Local Section 302.3.3 requires roofs on any habitable structure to stay structurally sound, tight, and free of defects that could admit rain. These local amendments, not the state Uniform Construction Code, set Penn Hills' habitability floor in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.
Violations & Fines
Violating the Existing Structures Code carries a fine of $50 to $1,000, or up to 30 days imprisonment, per § 1480.02 Section 110.2, with each continuing day a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum bedroom size in a Penn Hills rental?
Does Penn Hills require rentals to meet condition standards beyond room size?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Penn Hills
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How other cities in Allegheny County handle repairs & habitability.