[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Commissioners of the Township
of Hatfield 6-27-2012 by Ord. No. 636. Amendments noted where
applicable.]
Where there is imminent risk or danger of personal injury or
death to a person due to an unsafe condition of a structure, as certified
in writing by the Township Engineer, the Township Code Official is
authorized to enter onto the property on which such structure is located,
after ensuring that the unsafe structure is not occupied, and to employ
the necessary labor and materials to immediately remediate such unsafe
condition. If, due to the extent of its unsafe condition, the structure
cannot reasonably be made safe, the Code Official may demolish the
structure or permanently close it off from access by the public.
The costs of labor and materials utilized by the Code Official to remediate the unsafe condition of a structure as set forth in § 98-1 shall be recoverable by the Township by the filing of a municipal claim or lien against the property on which the affected structure is located.
Upon entering a property to take action as authorized by this
chapter, the Code Official shall post all entrances to the structure
with placards that read, "THIS STRUCTURE IS UNSAFE. IT SHALL BE UNLAWFUL
FOR ANY PERSON TO ENTER THIS STRUCTURE EXCEPT FOR THE PURPOSE OF MAKING
REQUIRED REPAIRS OR DEMOLISHING THE STRUCTURE." Upon a structure being
rendered safe or demolished by the Township Code Official, such placards
shall be removed.
For the purposes of this Chapter 98, the following terms shall have the following definitions, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise:
The Township official, or any duly authorized representative,
who is charged with the administration and enforcement of the ordinances,
resolutions, rules and regulations of Hatfield Township.
That which is built or constructed, or a portion thereof.
A "structure" shall include, but not be limited to, residential and
nonresidential buildings, sheds, garages, swimming pools, retaining
walls, fences, and gazebos or other ornamental buildings.
A condition that makes a structure dangerous to the life,
health or safety of any person, including, but not limited to, damage,
decay, disrepair, dilapidation, structural unsoundness, and unsanitary
conditions.
The Township Code Official and the Township Police Department are authorized to enforce the provisions of § 98-3 of this chapter in that no person shall disregard a placarded structure and enter into same without the express permission of the Township Code Official.
Any person who shall violate § 98-3 of this chapter shall, upon being found guilty of a summary offense by a Magisterial District Judge with proper jurisdiction, be sentenced to pay a fine of not less than $300 nor more than $1,000, and, in default of the payment thereof, be sentenced to no more than 30 days' imprisonment. Each day that a violation of § 98-3 of this chapter occurs shall constitute a separate offense.
