New Pennsylvania Law Requires Property Owners to Provide Contact Information to Counties
On September 18, 2026, a new Pennsylvania law took effect requiring certain real property owners to provide contact information to the county in which their property is located.
Act 29 of 2026, codified at 68 Pa.C.S. Chapter 25, establishes a County Property Contact Information List to assist municipalities in contacting property owners or responsible representatives regarding property maintenance, upkeep, and municipal code violations.
Who Does Pennsylvania Act 29 Apply To?
The new requirements generally apply to owners of real property, including:
- Individuals
- Businesses
- Limited liability companies (LLCs)
- Trusts
- Estates
- Other entities
However, owner-occupied real property is exempt. An owner-occupied property is one that is owned and occupied by an individual as that individual's principal residence and domicile.
Accordingly, the new law will be particularly relevant to owners of rental, commercial, investment, and entity-owned properties.
When Must Property Owners Provide Contact Information?
A covered property owner must submit the required contact information to the county's chief assessor within 30 days after purchasing the property.
If the required information later changes, the owner or the owner's representative must provide updated information within 30 days after the change.
What Contact Information Is Required?
The information required under Act 29 depends upon how the property is owned.
Individual owners must provide their:
- Name
- Residential address
- Telephone number
- Email address
Businesses and LLCs must provide specified business or company contact information and identify a person with the authority and ability to address property maintenance problems or municipal code violations.
How Can Municipalities Use the Property Contact Information?
Municipalities may request property contact information from the county when they demonstrate a reasonable need and legitimate municipal purpose, including communications concerning property maintenance and upkeep.
A municipality requesting the information must affirm that it will not use the information for commercial purposes or for purposes other than those identified in its request.
What Are the Penalties for Failing to Comply?
A county may impose a fine of up to $500 against a property owner or representative who knowingly or intentionally:
- Provides false or incorrect contact information; or
- Fails to update required information.
What Pennsylvania Property Owners Should Do
Property owners and purchasers of non-owner-occupied Pennsylvania real estate should become familiar with the filing procedures established by the county in which their property is located and ensure that required information is submitted and kept current.
Key Takeaway
Act 29 of 2026 creates new contact information requirements for certain Pennsylvania real property owners, particularly owners of rental, commercial, investment, and entity-owned properties.
Covered property owners should be aware of the 30-day reporting requirements for newly purchased properties and changes to required contact information, as well as the potential fine for knowingly or intentionally providing incorrect information or failing to update it.
Contact Our Real Estate Law Team
For guidance on how Act 29 of 2026, codified at 68 Pa.C.S. Chapter 25, may affect your operations, please contact our office at 814-870-7600 to speak with a member of our Real Estate Law team.
Legal Advice Disclaimer: The information presented on this website serves solely as general guidance and should not be construed as legal advice by MacDonald, Illig, Jones & Britton LLP as a replacement for seeking personalized legal counsel from a qualified attorney. MacDonald, Illig, Jones & Britton LLP does not assume liability for the accuracy or reliability of content hosted on any third-party websites accessible through links provided on this site.