[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township of Tredyffrin 8-16-2010 by Ord. No. HR-383. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Property maintenance — See Ch. 149.
Zoning — See Ch. 208.
It is the purpose of this chapter to protect and promote the public health, safety and welfare of the residents of Tredyffrin Township; to establish the obligations of owners and student tenants of dwelling units used for student homes within Tredyffrin Township to provide information through the registration with Tredyffrin Township of rental agreements; and to improve the maintenance of student homes and preserve the quality of neighborhoods.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
DWELLING UNIT
A single unit providing complete, independent living facilities, including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation.
FAMILY
As defined in § 208-6 of the Tredyffrin Township Zoning Ordinance.
OWNER
The record owner(s) or the record owner's agent, including but not limited to operator or manager, of a student rental unit.
RENTAL AGREEMENT
A written agreement, including but not limited to a contract or tease, between the owner and student tenant(s), embodying the terms and conditions concerning the use and occupancy of student homes.
STUDENT HOME
A dwelling unit used and or leased by a student tenant(s), except if all the student tenants are family of the owner of the dwelling unit or the dwelling unit is leased and used only by a family, as the family's primary residence. student homes shall not include dormitories and apartments as defined by the Tredyffrin Township Zoning Ordinance.
STUDENT TENANT
An individual who has made application and been accepted at or is enrolled or has been enrolled within the last 12 months prior to the first date of occupancy at a university, college or trade school, and whose primary occupation is a student, including both undergraduate and graduate students alike, residing in a dwelling unit governed by this chapter.
A. 
No student home shall be occupied by a student tenant(s) in excess of 10 days without a rental agreement. Such rental agreement shall be submitted to the Township at least 30 days prior to the occupancy of the student home by a student tenant(s).
B. 
No more than three student tenants may reside in a student home; and such residency of student tenants shall be limited to the student tenants listed on the rental agreement.
C. 
The owners of the student home shall register with the Township at least 30 days prior to the occupancy of the student home, on forms provided by the Township, which shall include the following information:
(1) 
Address of the student home.
(2) 
Description of the portion of the subject property that constitutes the student home, including accessory structures, off-street parking facilities, driveways, garages, sheds, swimming pools and trash receptacles.
(3) 
Name, permanent address, mailing address, phone number, fax number and email address of the owner; noting whether the owner(s) are individuals, limited liability companies/partnerships, property trusts, private corporations, or public corporations. In the case of all ownership except that of individuals, the names of the agents or officers of the owner shall be set forth therein with their permanent address, mailing address, phone number, fax number and email address as it applies to the acting agent or officer for the owner.
(4) 
Name, permanent street address, permanent mailing address, temporary mailing address while leasing the student home (if different then the permanent mailing address), phone number, fax number and email address of the student tenant(s) listed in the rental agreement. If a student tenant is not at least 18 years of age at the time of the execution of the rental agreement, then the information of the parent or legal guardian who executed the rental agreement on behalf of the student tenant must be listed in addition to that of the student tenant.
(5) 
The name of the college, university, or trade school at which the student tenant(s) will be enrolled for the term of the lease; the name of and contact information for the dean of students or official that holds a similar position at the college, university, or trade school.
D. 
If, during the term of the rental agreement the names and above-listed contact information for the owners, student tenants, or any party to the rental agreement changes, the owner is required to submit a supplemental registration within five days of the changes to the Township.
E. 
Subsections A through D above shall be attached to and incorporated into all rental agreements for student homes in the Township.
A. 
Every owner of a student home shall be responsible for regulating the proper use and occupancy of the student home in accordance with this chapter and for regulating the proper conduct and activities of their tenants and guests.
B. 
Improper conduct and activities shall be, but not be limited to, the following conduct and activities within the student home or on the premises thereof:
(1) 
Violation of obligations imposed by this chapter and all applicable codes and ordinances of the Township.
(2) 
Occupancy of the student home by an individual who would be a student tenant that is not a party to the rental agreement.
(3) 
Occupancy or use of the student home for purpose other than as a residential dwelling, unless otherwise permitted by applicable law or ordinance.
(4) 
Engaging in or permitting others to engage in any conduct declared illegal under the Pennsylvania Crimes Code, Liquor Code, or Controlled Substance, Drug and Device Cosmetic Act.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 101 et seq., 47 P.S. § 1-101 et seq., and 35 P.S. § 780-101 et seq., respectively.
A. 
This chapter is not intended, nor shall its effect be, to limit any other enforcement remedies which may be available to the Township against an owner, student tenant or guest thereof found in this Code or applicable law.
B. 
The Township Manager is authorized to designate the officials of the Township to enforce this ordinance.
Any person who violates or permits a violation of this chapter shall be guilty of a summary violation and, upon conviction, shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not less than $250 and not more than $1,000, plus all court costs and including reasonable attorney's fees incurred by the Township in the enforcement of this chapter. Each day a violation exists shall constitute a separate offense. Further, the appropriate officers or agents of the Township are hereby authorized to seek any other available relief at law or equity, including injunctive relief, to enforce compliance with this chapter,
The Board of Supervisors may establish by resolution, which may be amended from time to time, reasonable fees for the costs the administration and enforcement of this chapter to be charged at the time of filing the rental agreements and registrations.