Property Sales, Refinances, and Rentals
Property Transfer and Refinances
This Lien Letter Procedure 2025 (two pages) can be viewed/printed in PDF form.
Please provide the following information in the request (or use a Property Sale or Refinance Request Form, available on our Applications & Permits page.)
- Current name of Owner
- Address with Lot and Block Number
- Buyer’s Name
- Date of Anticipated Closing
- State “Sale or Refinance”
- Name, address, phone number and email address of requester
- A Dye Test is not required for Shannon Heights Condominiums, Grenadier Condominiums and Ellison Place or Refinances
| Requirement | Fee | Mail/Make Payable To |
|---|---|---|
| Municipal/Sewage Lien Letter | $25.00 | Jordan Tax Service 102 Rahway Road McMurray, PA 15317 724-731-2300 or 412-835-5243 |
| Three-Year Tax Certification | $30.00 | Castle Shannon Borough Planning & Codes 3310 McRoberts Road Pittsburgh, PA 15234 412-885-9200 ext. 105 |
| Occupancy Permit Inspection (Residential) | $50.00 | Castle Shannon Borough Planning & Codes 3310 McRoberts Road Pittsburgh, PA 15234 412-885-9200 ext. 105 |
| Occupancy Permit Inspection (Commercial) | $100.00 | Castle Shannon Borough Planning & Codes 3310 McRoberts Road Pittsburgh, PA 15234 412-885-9200 ext. 105 |
| Dye Test (Residential) | $100.00 | Castle Shannon Borough Planning & Codes 3310 McRoberts Road Pittsburgh, PA 15234 412-885-9200 ext. 105 |
| Dye Test (Commercial) | $200.00 | Castle Shannon Borough Planning & Codes 3310 McRoberts Road Pittsburgh, PA 15234 412-885-9200 ext. 105 |
Tax Certification and Occupancy Permit payments can be combined into one check; Dye Test check must be separate. Occupancy checks will be held until inspection is completed.
- Municipal/Sewage Lien Letters are always required when a property is transferred or refinanced.
All requirements must be met before the Lien Letter is released.
- Occupancy Permit Inspection fee includes one re-inspection. Additional Occupancy re-inspection fee will be $50/residential and $100/commercial.
- Occupancy Inspection must be performed by the Borough Code Enforcement Officer. Whoever has access to the property shall call to schedule the inspection. Call 412-885-9200 ext. 105 for an appointment.
- Dye Test fee includes one re-inspection. Additional Dye Test re-inspection fee will be $100/residential and $200/commercial.
- Refinances require a Municipal/Sewage Lien Letter and Tax Certification only.
Castle Shannon Public Works will perform the Dye Test once the request and fee is received in our office; no appointment is necessary. Dye Tests are good for one year. Occupancy Permit will not be issued until the property is brought up to compliance.
Jordan Tax Service is also responsible for providing the Delinquent Real Estate Tax Certifications. Certification charge is $10 per Year per Block/Lot per Tax Type.
Delinquent Keystone Oaks School District Taxes are handled through MBM Collections – 412-242-9615.
These are some of the most common violations:
- Electrical inspection sticker on the electric box within the last five years.
- Smoke detectors with operating batteries–one is required on each floor & in each bedroom.
- Windows must open and close.
- Railing on stairs with more than four risers.
- Switches and receptacles must have plates.
- Wiring.
- GFCI outlets within six feet of water.
- All bathrooms & toilet areas must have an openable window or exhaust fan.
- General condition of the entire structure and grounds surrounding the structure.
- Habitable living conditions, etc.
- Fire extinguisher in kitchen area.
- Twenty-minute fire-rated door between residence and garage.
- Under Act 121 you must install a Carbon Monoxide detector.
- Violation of any other Borough Code.
Occupancy Inspections (Rental Units)
On January 28, 2019, Castle Shannon Borough Council enacted Ord. #917 Regulations and Requirements for Rental Property which requires all owners of rental property within the Borough must submit to the Borough a Residential Rental Unit Occupancy Registration or Commercial Rental Unit Occupancy Registration annually. The annual statement must be filed by March 31 of each year beginning March 31, 2020. The Registration Statement must include a list of all tenants of the rental units at the time of submission of the form. Payment by cash, check or money order made payable to Castle Shannon Borough and submitted to Castle Shannon Borough/Planning & Codes, 3310 McRoberts Road, Castle Shannon, PA 15234.
An Occupancy Inspection must be performed by the Codes Enforcement Officer. The Borough representative must be able to gain entry to the property for the inspection. An Application for a Commercial Change in Occupancy or Application for a Residential Change in Occupancy must be completed and payment of $50 (residential) or $100 (commercial) for each and every tenancy. Call 412-885-9200, ext. 105 for an appointment. Payment by cash, check or money order made payable to Castle Shannon Borough and submitted to Castle Shannon Borough/Planning & Codes, 3310 McRoberts Road, Castle Shannon, PA 15234.
All forms mentioned above can be downloaded from our Applications & Permits page.
These are some of the most common violations:
- Electrical inspection sticker on the electric box within the last five years.
- Smoke detectors with operating batteries–one is required on each floor & in each bedroom.
- Windows must open and close.
- Railing on stairs with more than four risers.
- Switches and receptacles must have plates.
- Wiring.
- GFCI outlets within six feet of water.
- All bathrooms & toilet areas must have an openable window or exhaust fan.
- General condition of the entire structure and grounds surrounding the structure.
- Habitable living conditions, etc.
- Fire extinguisher in kitchen area.
- Twenty-minute fire-rated door between residence and garage.
- Under Act 121 you must install a Carbon Monoxide detector.
- Violation of any other Borough Code.