Amending Chapter 9-3900 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Property Licenses and Owner Accountability," by requiring non-resident landlords to provide verifiable contact information and a designated local contact and establishing penalties for non-compliance, all under certain terms and conditions.

Amending Chapter 9-3900 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Property Licenses and Owner Accountability,” by requiring non-resident landlords to provide verifiable contact information and a designated local contact and establishing penalties for non-compliance, all under certain terms and conditions. WHEREAS, The Council of the City of Philadelphia recognizes that non-resident property ownership has contributed to neighborhood deterioration, unsafe living conditions, and barriers to enforcement of property maintenance and housing laws; and WHEREAS, Ensuring that landlords and property owners can be promptly contacted by tenants and City officials is essential to preserving public safety, property maintenance, and accountability; and WHEREAS, It is the intent of Council to strengthen transparency and communication between landlords, tenants, and the City by requiring verifiable contact and registration information for each property licensed in Philadelphia; now, therefore, THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA HEREBY ORDAINS: SECTION 1. Title 9 of The Philadelphia Code is hereby amended to read as follows: TITLE 9. REGULATION OF BUSINESSES, TRADES AND PROFESSIONS * * * CHAPTER 9-3900. PROPERTY LICENSES AND OWNER ACCOUNTABILITY * * * § 9-3901. General Provisions (5) Definitions. The following terms shall have the following meanings in this Chapter. (f.1) Local Agent. A natural person over the age of eighteen (18) years who maintains a Physical Address within the City of Philad…