Wolf vetoed real estate bill, but amended Business Closure Order to allow real estate businesses to operate with restrictions

Governor Wolf today vetoed House Bill 2412, which would have allowed real estate businesses to operate with some restrictions. Wolf did not feel those restrictions included enough safety protocols for the COVID-19 public health crisis. He also took issue with the bill due to it placing restrictions on municipalities related to property transfers. Wolf pointed out that the bill would have eliminated a municipality’s ability to issue use and occupancy permits and conduct safety inspections, which are conditions of a property transfer.

Instead, Wolf amended his previous Business Closure Order to allow real estate businesses to operate statewide and provided guidance on how the real estate industry must operate in counties that are in the red and yellow phases.

“We continue to review our policies and the scientific data to determine the safest approach for all activities in the commonwealth,” Governor Wolf said. “While at this point more than two-thirds of the state will be in the yellow phase of the state’s reopening plan by Friday, May 22, we are still evaluating how industries may be able to conduct business appropriately in red phase counties, including the real estate industry.”

“This industry impacts numerous types of businesses and Pennsylvania homebuyers who are in the process of, or considering, purchasing a home. It’s critical that these businesses, regardless of whether they are in red phase or yellow phase counties, strictly adhere to all appropriate guidelines and guidance,” Governor Wolf said.

Previously, businesses and employees in the real estate industry were permitted to conduct limited in-person activities in counties in the yellow phase of the commonwealth’s phased reopening plan.