Borough of Catasauqua, PA Chapter 125 Code Enforcement

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of Catasauqua 7-6-1970 by Ord. No. 645 (Ch. I, Secs. 161 to 162, of the 1962 Code). Amendments noted where applicable.]

§ 125-1 Establishment of Office of Code Enforcement.

A. Creation of Office of Code Enforcement. There is hereby created by the Council of the municipality an office of the municipality to be known as the "Office of Code Enforcement." Said office shall have the responsibility for administering and enforcing the provisions of this chapter and of those other codes and/or ordinances of the municipality (hereinafter referred to as the "applicable codes and ordinances") which designate said Office of Code Enforcement as their official administration and enforcement agency.

B. Appointment of Code Enforcement Officer. There shall be appointed by the Manager of the municipality a Code Enforcement Officer who shall be in charge of the Office of Code Enforcement of the municipality. The Code Enforcement Officer shall supervise such other employees or assistants as shall be necessary for the administration and execution of the responsibilities of said office, as appointed by the Manager.

C. Relief from personal liability. The Code Enforcement Officer or other official or employee shall not, while acting for the municipality, render himself liable personally because of any act or omission as required or permitted in the discharge of his official duties. Any suit instituted against such Code Enforcement Officer, official or employee, because of any act performed by him in the lawful discharge of his duties, shall be defended by the Solicitor of the municipality and in no case will said Officer, official or employee be liable for costs in any action, suit or proceeding.

D. Official record. An official record shall be kept of all business and activities of the Office of Code Enforcement and all such records shall be open to the public for inspection at all appropriate times.

§ 125-2 Duties and powers of Code Enforcement Officer.

A. Enforcement by Code Enforcement Officer. The Code Enforcement Officer shall enforce and administer all of the provisions of this chapter and of those other applicable codes and ordinances which establish the Office of Code Enforcement as their official administration and enforcement agency.

B. Duties of Code Enforcement Officer. The duties of the Code Enforcement Officer shall include the receipt of applications, the issuance of permits, notices, certificates and orders, the making of inspections, to determine conformance with applicable codes and ordinances, the undertaking of research and investigations, the establishment of appropriate rules, the keeping of records, the issuance of written annual reports and such other activities as may be required.

C. Right of entry. In the discharge of his duties the Code Enforcement Officer or his authorized representative shall, upon showing proper identification, have the authority to enter, at any reasonable hour, any structure or premises in the municipality to enforce the provisions of this chapter and of those other applicable codes and ordinances. The assistance and cooperation of all other municipality officials, including Police and Fire Departments, shall be available to the Code Enforcement Officer to assist in the performance of his duties and in securing right of entry. The owner, operator or occupant or other person in charge of any structure or premises shall give the Code Enforcement Officer free access thereto and it shall be unlawful to refuse or impede entrance of the Code Enforcement Officer to said structure or premises for the purpose of making any required inspection. If any such owner, operator or other occupant or other person in charge refuses or impedes any required or lawful inspection, the municipality may seek, in a court of competent jurisdiction, an order that such owner, occupant or person in charge shall cease and desist with such interference.