Palmerton appears poised to join other local municipalities in an attempt to regulate rental units.

Borough Manager Donna McGarry told borough council on Thursday that the matter pertained specifically to property maintenance.

Councilman Michael Ballard said the time is now for the borough to act on the matter.

“It’s time that we do because we have 700 units,” Ballard said.

McGarry echoed Ballard’s sentiment.

“It’s to protect the tenants,” McGarry said. “Our police have indicated quite a few of their phone calls have (come from rental units).”

McGarry noted it would not include short-term rentals, as the borough’s current zoning ordinance regulates them.

Councilman Kris Hoffner praised Councilman Randy Gursky for his role in the matter.

“I’d like to thank Randy Gursky,” Hoffner said. “He initiated this (several years ago).”

After the meeting, McGarry said the rental unit registration and inspection program would pertain to property maintenance as dictated by the International Property Maintenance Code.

“The goal is to promote safe and sanitary conditions of rental housing,” she said.

“We believe this will increase property values, as well as encourage landlord and tenant responsibility for the condition of properties.”

McGarry spoke regarding the connection to the police department.

“We have been made aware that an increasing number of calls to the police come from rental units,” she said. “The revenue from the registrations may be used to fund additional police staffing and training to meet this demand.”

McGarry took it a step further.

“Our zoning officer has confirmed that short-term rentals are not permitted under our zoning ordinance,” she said. “We may need to incorporate these types of living arrangements in the proposed ordinance, in case there would be changes in the future that would allow short-term rentals.”