Exciting enhancements are coming soon to eCode360! Learn more 🡪
Township of Bethlehem, PA
Northampton County
By using eCode360 you agree to be legally bound by the Terms of Use. If you do not agree to the Terms of Use, please do not use eCode360.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Code
New Laws (4) Index
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Commissioners of the Township of Bethlehem 6-1-2009 by Ord. No. 05-09; amended in its entirety 8-15-2022 by Ord. No. 07-22. Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
A certain document, three copies of which are on file in the office of Economic and Community Development Office of the Township of Bethlehem, Northampton County, Pennsylvania, being marked and designated as the 2018 International Property Maintenance Code, as published by the International Code Council, Inc., be and is hereby adopted as the Property Maintenance Code of the Township of Bethlehem, Northampton County, Pennsylvania, for regulating and governing the conditions and maintenance of all property, buildings and structures; by providing the standards for supplied utilities and facilities and other physical things and conditions essential to ensure that structures are safe, sanitary and fit for occupation and use; and the condemnation of buildings and structures unfit for human occupancy and use, and the demolition of such existing structures as herein provided; providing for the issuance of permits and collection of fees therefor, and each and all of the regulations, provisions, penalties, conditions and terms of said Property Maintenance Code on file in the office of the Director of Planning and Economic Development of the Township of Bethlehem, Northampton County, Pennsylvania, are hereby referred to, adopted, and made a part hereof, as if fully set out in this chapter, with the additions, insertions, deletions and changes prescribed hereinafter.
The 2018 International Property Maintenance Code is completed by the following insertions:
A. 
In Section 101.1, Title, insert "Township of Bethlehem, Northampton County, Pennsylvania" in place of the bracketed phrase "[NAME OF JURISDICTION]."
B. 
In Section 103.5, Fees, insert "See Township of Bethlehem Fee Schedule as established by the Board of Commissioners from time to time" in place of the bracketed phrase "[JURISDICTION TO INSERT APPROPRIATE SCHEDULE]."
C. 
In Section 302.4, Weeds, insert "eight inches" in place of the bracketed phrase "[JURISDICTION TO INSERT HEIGHT IN INCHES]."
D. 
In Section 304.14, Insect screens, insert "April 1" and "October 31," respectively, in place of the two bracketed terms "[DATE]."
E. 
In Section 602.3, Heat supply, insert "September 30" and "May 30," respectively, in place of the two bracketed terms "[DATE]."
F. 
In Section 602.4, Occupiable work spaces, insert "September 30" and "May 30," respectively, in place of the two bracketed terms "[DATE]."
The 2018 International Property Maintenance Code is amended as follows:
A. 
The phrase "Building Code Official" shall be substituted for the phrase "code official" wherever it appears in the Property Maintenance Code.
B. 
The phrase "Economic and Community Development Office" shall be substituted for the phrase "department of property maintenance inspection" wherever it appears in the Property Maintenance Code.
C. 
The last sentence of Section 102.3, Application of other codes, is amended to read as follows:
Nothing in this code shall be construed to cancel, modify or set aside any provision of the Bethlehem Township Zoning Ordinance.
D. 
The first sentence of Section 106.3, Prosecution of violation, is amended to read as follows:
Any person failing to comply with a notice of violation or order served in accordance with Section 107 shall be deemed guilty of a summary offense, and the violation shall be deemed a strict liability offense.
E. 
Section 106.4, Violation penalties, is amended to read as follows:
Any person who shall violates any provision of this code, or fail to comply therewith, or with any of the requirements thereof, shall, upon conviction, therefore, be sentenced to pay a fine not to exceed $1,000 and costs. A separate offense shall arise for each day or portion thereof in which a violation is found to exist and for each provision of this code which is found to have been violated."
F. 
The first sentence of Section 111.1, Application for appeal, is amended to read as follows:
Any person directly affected by a decision of the Building Code Official, or a notice or order issued under this code shall have the right to appeal to the Board of Appeals, established by Bethlehem Township in conformity with the requirements of the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code, provided that a written notice of appeal is filed with Bethlehem Township within 20 days of the date the decision, notice or order of the Building Code Official was served.
G. 
Section 111.2 and its subparts are deleted.
H. 
In Section 201.3, Terms defined in other codes, replace the phrase "International Zoning Code" with the phrase "the Bethlehem Township Zoning Ordinance."
I. 
In Section 202, General definitions, add the following definition:
MOTOR VEHICLE
Any type of mechanical device, propelled by a motor, in which persons or property may be transported upon public streets or highways, and including trailers or semitrailers pulled thereby.
J. 
Section 302.8, Motor vehicles, is amended to read as follows:
302.8 Motor vehicles in residential districts.
Except as provided in other regulations, not more than one currently unregistered and/or uninspected motor vehicle shall be parked, kept or stored on any premises located in a residential district as defined by the Bethlehem Township Zoning Ordinance.
K. 
Section 302.8.1, Motor vehicles in nonresidential districts, is added as follows:
302.8.1 Motor vehicles in nonresidential districts.
Except as provided in other regulations and approved by the Building Code Official, not more than two currently unregistered and/or uninspected motor vehicles shall be parked, kept or stored on any premises located in a nonresidential district as defined by the Bethlehem Township Zoning Ordinance.
L. 
Section 302.8.2, Motor vehicle nuisances prohibited, is added as follows:
Section 302.8.2 Motor vehicle nuisances prohibited.
It shall be unlawful for any person, owner or lessee to maintain a motor vehicle nuisance upon any premises, except when completely enclosed in an approved structure. A motor vehicle nuisance shall include any motor vehicle which is unable to move under its own power and has any of the following defects:
302.8.2.1 Broken windshields, mirrors or other glass, with sharp edges.
302.8.2.2 One or more flat or open tires or tubes which could permit vermin harborage.
302.8.2.3 Missing doors, windows, hood, trunk or other body parts which could permit animal harborage.
302.8.2.4 Any body parts with sharp edges including holes resulting from rust.
302.8.2.5 Missing tires resulting in unsafe suspension of the motor vehicle.
302.8.2.6 Upholstery which is torn or open which could permit animal and/or vermin harborage.
302.8.2.7 Broken headlamps/tail-lamps with sharp edges.
302.8.2.8 Disassembled chassis parts apart from the motor vehicle stored in disorderly fashion or loose in or on the vehicle.
302.8.2.9 Protruding sharp objects from the chassis.
302.8.2.10 Broken vehicle frame suspended from the ground in an unstable manner.
302.8.2.11 Leaking or damaged oil pan or gas tank which could cause fire or explosion.
302.8.2.12 Exposed battery containing acid.
302.8.2.13 Inoperable locking mechanism for doors or trunk.
302.8.2.14 Open or damaged floor boards including trunk and firewall.
302.8.2.15 Damaged bumpers pulled away from perimeter or vehicle.
302.8.2.16 Broken grill with protruding edges.
302.8.2.17 Loose or damaged metal trim and clips.
302.8.2.18 Broken communication equipment antennae.
302.8.2.19 Suspended on unstable supports.
M. 
Section 303.3, Pool door and window alarms, is added as follows:
Section 303.3 Pool door and window alarms.
Audible alarms shall be installed on all doors and windows that have direct access to a pool area. Such alarm shall sound continuously for a minimum of 30 seconds immediately after the door is opened and be capable of being heard throughout the house during normal household activities. The alarm shall automatically reset under all conditions.
N. 
Section 308.4, Furniture, is added as follows:
Section 308.4 Furniture.
All furniture, materials and other similar products designed, built, and manufactured exclusively for indoor living shall not be placed or stored on exterior porches, in yards or any part of an exterior property in residential and non-residential areas. The storage or placement of automobile car seats and other nonweather resistant materials shall also be prohibited.
O. 
Section 504.4, Traps, is added as follows:
Section 504.4 Traps.
Traps shall be of standard design, shall have smooth uniform internal waterways, shall be self-cleaning and shall not have interior partitions except where integral with the fixture. Traps shall be constructed of cast iron, copper or copper alloy or approved plastic. Trap designs with moving parts are prohibited.
P. 
Section 602.1, Facilities required, is amended to read as follows:
602.1 Facilities required.
All dwelling units shall have permanently installed, nonportable type central heating facilities or fixed electrical heating systems that are approved for the purpose and location where installed. Heating facilities shall be capable of maintaining the required temperatures in all habitable areas of the dwelling unit.
Q. 
Section 604.2, Service, is amended to read as follows:
604.2 Service.
The size and usage of appliances and equipment shall serve as a basis for determining the need for additional facilities in accordance with NFPA 70. Dwelling units shall be served by a three-wire, 120/240 volt, single phase electrical service having a minimum rating of 100 amperes.
R. 
Section 604.2.1, Occupant to have ready access, is added as follows:
Section 604.2.1 Occupant to have ready access.
Each occupant of a dwelling unit shall have ready access to all overcurrent devices protecting the conductors supplying that dwelling unit.
S. 
Section 605.2, Receptacles, is amended to read as follows:
Section 605.2 Receptacles.
Every habitable space in a dwelling shall contain not less than two separate and remote receptacle outlets. Every laundry area shall contain not less than one grounding-type receptacle or a receptacle with a ground fault circuit interrupter. Every bathroom and powder room shall contain at least one three-wire fifteen- or twenty-amp GFI (Ground Fault Interrupter) and all outlets on light fixtures and bathroom cabinets must be disconnected if not GFI protected. All receptacle outlets shall have the appropriate faceplate cover for the location.
T. 
Section 605.2.1, Standards for receptacles, is added as follows:
Section 605.2.1 Standards for receptacles.
605.2.1.1 All existing wall-type receptacles which serve kitchen countertop surfaces must be three-wired fifteen- or twenty-amp GFI protected. Countertop spaces separated by range tops, refrigerators and sinks shall be considered as separate countertop spaces and apply to the requirements of this section.
605.2.1.2 All kitchen areas shall have two accessible fifteen- or twenty-amp GFI receptacles to serve countertop surfaces. If no countertop is available, there shall be two accessible GFI receptacles at countertop height. Refrigerator receptacles shall not be counted in determining the number of GFI receptacles required in the kitchen areas.
605.2.1.3 All existing receptacles located within six inches on either side of an auxiliary sink shall be three-wired fifteen- or twenty-amp GFI protected.
605.2.1.4 All exterior receptacles must be three-wired fifteen- or twenty-amp GFI protected and installed in approved weatherproof boxes with covers. Exception: All GFI outlets built into exterior walls must have damp-proof covers.
605.2.1.5 All outlets within unfinished basement areas must be three-wired fifteen- or twenty-amp GFI protected.
605.2.1.6 All outlets within garages must be three-wire fifteen- or twenty-amp GFI protected.
605.2.1.7 All electrical receptacles that cannot be tested for improper wiring, installation, deterioration or damage due to immovable furniture, appliances, or other obstructions shall be the responsibility of the property owner and/or agent.
605.2.1.8 NOTE: The inspection of electrical panels and boxes is limited to a visible inspection only.