CONNELLSVILLE, Pa. -- A county judge has approved this city's ordinance that requires absentee landlords to appoint property managers.

The Connellsville Property Owners Association sued in June trying to stop the ordinance from taking effect in the Fayette County city, about 35 miles southeast of Pittsburgh.

The April ordinance requires landlords who live more than 15 miles away to appoint a property manager within that distance to oversee any rental units. It also requires annual inspections to make sure properties comply with property maintenance rules.

The city passed the ordinance because half of its 4,400 houses are owned by absentee landlords. City officials say those units have more property code violations and prompt more police calls, too.

First Published: September 1, 2009, 3:45 p.m.