This chapter shall be known and cited as the "Scott Township
Property Maintenance Ordinance."
Recognizing the need within the Township to establish certain
minimum health and safety requirements for those buildings, structures
or properties which are used or associated with human occupancy, this
chapter hereby establishes standards which the Board of Supervisors
considers to be fair and essential in meeting those minimum requirements.
This chapter and the objectives leading to its enactment are
authorized by the Second Class Township Code (53 P.S. § 65101
et seq.).
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
BUILDING
A roofed structure, enclosed by one or more walls, for the
shelter, housing, storage or enclosure of persons, goods, materials,
equipment or animals.
COURT
An open and unoccupied space on a lot enclosed on at least
three sides by the walls of a building.
GARBAGE
Putrescible animal and vegetable wastes resulting from the
handling, preparation, cooking and consumption of food.
INFESTATION
The presence of insects, rodents, vermin and/or other pests.
LOT
A plot, tracts, premises or parcel of land, with or without
improvements thereto.
OWNER
Any person or persons, jointly or severally, firm, corporation
or other entity which, either by conveyance or inheritance or otherwise,
is vested with the title to a lot and/or improvements thereto or who
retains the exclusive control of such a lot and/or improvements thereto
in his capacity as a legal representative, such as an administrator,
trustee, executor, etc.
REFUSE
All putrescible and nonputrescible solid wastes, including
garbage, rubbish, ashes, dead animals and market and industrial wastes.
UNOCCUPIED HAZARD
Any building or part thereof or man-made structure which
remains unoccupied for a period of more than six months, with either
doors, windows or other openings broken, removed, boarded or sealed
up, or any building under construction upon which little or no construction
work has been performed for a period of more than six months.
YARD
Any open space on the same lot with a building and for the
most part unobstructed from the ground up.
The provisions of this chapter shall supplement local laws,
ordinances or regulations existing in the Township or those of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Where a provision of this chapter is
found to be in conflict with any provision of a local law, ordinance,
code or regulation or those of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the
provisions which are more restrictive or which establish the higher
standard shall prevail.
Any occupant of a premises shall be responsible for compliance
with the provisions of this chapter with respect to the maintenance
of that part of the premises which he occupies and/or controls in
a safe, sound and/or sanitary condition pursuant to the terms of the
contract/agreement under which he exercises occupancy and/or control
thereof.
The Board of Supervisors may or may cause, through an authorized
representative of the Township, entry onto premises for the purpose
of inspection of any and all premises, properties, buildings and/or
structures located within the Township for ascertaining the existence
of violations. In those matters where the nature of an alleged violation
is such that an inspection of the interior of a building or structure
is necessitated, prior arrangements must be made with the owner or
his agent to secure access thereof.
If the owner does not comply with the notice to abate the conditions
within the time limit prescribed, the Township shall have the authority
to take measures to correct the conditions and collect the cost of
such corrections plus 10% of all costs. The Township, in such event
and pursuant to its statutory or otherwise authorized police powers,
shall have the right and power to enter upon the offending premises
to accomplish the foregoing.
Any person who shall violate any provision of this chapter shall,
upon conviction thereof, be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than
$1,000 and, in default of payment, to undergo imprisonment for a term
not to exceed 30 days. Each day that a violation of this chapter continues
shall constitute a separate offense.
If the premises are owned by more than one owner, each owner
shall severally be subject to prosecution for the violation of this
chapter.
The remedies provided herein for the enforcement of this chapter
or any remedy provided by law shall not be deemed mutually exclusive;
rather they may be employed simultaneously or consecutively, at the
option of the Board of Supervisors.