March 6, 2024 Board of Health Meeting Agenda Available

Individuals who wish to comment at the meeting will have three minutes to speak. Use this link to register your interest in speaking at the meeting. All requests to speak must be received no later than 24 hours in advance of the meeting. Speakers may address agenda and non-agenda items. People who wish to send a written comment to the Board of Health can use this link. These comments go directly to board members and will be summarized at the meeting. Comments can address both agenda and non-agenda items. Individuals who would like to request an accommodation to attend, or otherwise participate in the meeting, please make a request for assistance at least 72 hours in advance. Please make a request here.

 

The agenda includes proposed revisions to Article VI: Housing and Community Environment. Article VI is the regulation that grants the Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) Housing and Community Environment Program the authority to inspect for and enforce minimum property standards and public health requirements for dwellings and premises in Allegheny County. Article VI defines the requirements for how properties must be maintained inside and outside to keep residents and communities safe.

 

Overall, the proposed revisions would:

• Align Allegheny County housing standards with those found in other codes and jurisdictions
• Promote better understanding and readability for both landlords and tenants
• Improve safety standards to reduce and prevent injury
• Clarify the roles of both landlords and tenants in keeping dwellings safe and healthy

The proposed changes to Article VI would also further align the regulations with Article III: Food Safety and Article XV: Plumbing & Building Drainage as well as with safety standards set through international codes, including the Property Maintenance Code, Mechanical Code, Residential Code, Fuel and Gas Code, and the Fire Code.

 

The Board of Health approved a Public Comment Period of 60 days for the proposed revision of Article VI, which was held from May 10, 2023, through July 10, 2023. In addition to accepting written comments during that time, oral testimony was also compiled at a Public Hearing held on July 6, 2023. In total, fourteen unique individuals submitted comments; twelve people submitted written comments and three people gave oral testimony at the hearing, while one person gave both written and oral comments. The ACHD Housing and Community Environment has prepared a Comment Response Document which is available for review.

View the meeting agenda and all materials related to the proposed revision of Article VI on the Board of Health website.