[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of the City of New Kensington 8-9-1977 by Ord. No. 5-77 as Part 11, Art. 1119 of the 1977 Code; amended in its entirety at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I.). Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
The provisions of 53 P.S. § 37320 shall be the controlling provisions regarding nuisances in the City of New Kensington.
[Added 6-11-2018 by Ord. No. 1-18]
As used in this article, certain terms are defined as follows:
CITY
City of New Kensington, Pennsylvania.
PREMISES
A lot, plot or parcel of land including any structures theron.
STAGNANT WATER
(Pa 243.12) "A person may not maintain or permit to be maintained, a pond, privy, vault, cesspool, well, cistern, rain barrel or other receptacle containing water unless the receptacle is constructed or maintained in a manner to prevent the breeding of mosquitoes."[1]
STAGNANT WATER POOL
Stagnant water in pools in which mosquitoes, flies or other insects may multiply, including, but not limited to, open containers, sewage, lagoons, ditches, roof gutters, wheelbarrows, bird baths, ornamental pools, swimming pools, vegetation, weeds, and grass in excess of eight inches in height (except as may be otherwise provided in Wetlands and Environmental ordinances and statutes).
STRUCTURE
That which is built or constructed or a portion thereof.
TITLED OWNER
Any person, firm, partnership or corporation having legal title or equitable interest in a structure and/or premises as recorded in the official records of the state, county or municipality; or guardian of the estate of any such person, or the executor, or administrator, of the estate of such person if in possession of real property as a fiduciary or heir.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 25 Pa. Code § 243.12.
Any stagnant water pool:
A. 
Is detrimental to the safety and welfare of the public;
B. 
Creates a public health risk/hazard in light of the West Nile Virus problem; and
C. 
Shall be deemed a public nuisance, constituting a violation of this article.
It shall be unlawful for any titled owner to permit or maintain a stagnant water pool upon any premises or structure as defined herein in the City of New Kensington, and upon conviction for a violation thereof shall be subject to the penalties provided under this article.
The City of New Kensington Code Enforcement Officer shall enforce this article.
A. 
Whenever a violation of this article is found or believed to exist, the enforcement official shall give written notice to the titled owner personally, or by mail addressed to his/her last known address, or by posting said written notice thereof upon the premises involved.
B. 
Required notice shall identify the premises, specifically state the reason why notice is being issued with relevant section(s) of the article, include a correction order allowing a reasonable time to achieve compliance with this article, and set forth that· any appeal must be in writing to the City of New Kensington Secretary within the time set forth for compliance. Failure to timely request an appeal in writing will be deemed a waiver of the appeal.
Upon failure, neglect or refusal of any titled owner to comply with any and all applicable sections of this article, the enforcement official is authorized to prepare appropriate work orders for performance of work by authorized City of New Kensington employees or contracted workers to effect compliance and abatement of any nuisance on the subject premises, including entry onto private property. After said compliance work is completed, statements for work performed shall be prepared by the City of New Kensington Secretary. Said statements shall indicate the description of the premises, titled owner, the cost of work performed, administrative charge, disposal costs, and all other costs, if any, shall be filed as a lien against the premises affected, and such lien shall continue in force until the full amount thereof, together with interest at the rate of 6% percent per annum, is paid in full.
In addition to the lien provided for herein, whoever violates or fails to comply with the provisions of this article shall be, upon conviction thereof, sentenced to pay a fine not less than $300, nor more than $1,000, plus costs and restitution as determined for work performed and charges assessed and/or paid by the City of New Kensington, and in default of payment of said fine, costs, restitution, to a term of imprisonment not to exceed 30 days. All fines, restitution and City of New Kensington charges imposed and collected under the provisions of this article shall be paid to the City of New Kensington. Each day that an offense/violation continues shall constitute a separate offense/violation.
If any section, subsection, sentence, phrase or portion of this article is, for any reason, held invalid or unconstitutional by any court or agency of competent jurisdiction, such portion shall be deemed a separate, distinct and independent provision and such holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions hereof.
This article shall become effective immediately.