Selling a house in Etna Borough, PA: what the city requires
Allegheny County, Pennsylvania · Last checked November 2026
Selling in Etna requires an occupancy inspection before closing.
What Etna Borough requires
Occupancy (resale) inspection
- Who does it
- Municipal code enforcement or its inspection agency.
- Cost
- $30.
- Called a Certificate of Code Compliance, covering occupancy and zoning.
Who to call
Etna Borough
412-781-0569
Official page
Housing in Etna Borough
- Median year homes were built
- 1942
- Median home value
- $135,800
- Owner-occupied homes
- 777 of 1,628 (48%)
- Total housing units
- 1,754
With half the homes built by 1942, inspectors here commonly flag older wiring, missing GFCI outlets, handrails, and worn exteriors. Fix the cheap items before the inspection.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for Etna borough, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.
Need this done in Etna Borough?
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How the occupancy inspection process works
Many Allegheny County boroughs and townships inspect a home before a new owner moves in and issue an occupancy permit. The checklist usually covers smoke detectors, handrails, electrical hazards and exterior condition.
- Apply to the municipality and pay the fee.
- Pass the inspection, or fix the listed items and get re-inspected.
- Give the occupancy certificate to the title company.
| Item | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Municipal fee | $10 to $100 |
Read the full occupancy inspection guide
If the house fails
You can repair before closing, use an escrow or extension where the city allows it, let the buyer assume the work for a credit, or sell as-is. Compare the options.
Frequently asked questions
What does Etna Borough require before I sell my house?
Selling in Etna requires an occupancy inspection before closing.
How much does the occupancy (resale) inspection cost in Etna Borough?
$30. Typical related costs: municipal fee $10 to $100.
What if my house fails?
You can make the repairs before closing, negotiate a credit with the buyer, or sell as-is to a buyer who will handle the work. Ask the municipality whether it allows a buyer to assume the work or an escrow.
Who pays, the buyer or the seller?
The ordinance usually makes the seller responsible for ordering it, but who pays for repairs is negotiable in the purchase agreement.
How old are the homes in Etna Borough?
The median home in Etna Borough was built in 1942, and the median home value is $135,800, according to the Census Bureau's 2020-2024 American Community Survey.
Nearby: Pittsburgh & Allegheny County
- East Pittsburgh Borough Required at sale
- Edgewood Borough Required at sale
- Edgeworth Borough No point-of-sale rule
- Elizabeth Borough Required at sale
- Elizabeth Township Required at sale
- Emsworth Borough Required at sale
- Fawn Township Required at sale
- Findlay Township Required at sale
- Forest Hills Borough Required at sale
- Forward Township No point-of-sale rule
- Fox Chapel Borough Required at sale
- Franklin Park Borough Required at sale
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Sources
- Pennsylvania Land Titles, Allegheny County Municipal Information: dye testing and occupancy (Feb. 2024)
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates (tables B25035, B25077, B25003, B25001)
Last checked November 2026. Rules and fees change by ordinance and resolution. Confirm with the municipality before you list. See something out of date? Report a change.