[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of the City of Clairton 11-13-2007 by Ord. No. 1796[1]. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Brush, grass and weeds — See Ch. 159.
Fire prevention — See Ch. 199.
Removal of graffiti — See Ch. 213, § 213-5.
Housing and health standards — See Ch. 217.
Nuisance properties — See Ch. 247, Art. III.
Property maintenance — See Ch. 274.
Collection and recycling of solid waste — See Ch. 299.
Snow removal and use of chemicals on sidewalks — See Ch. 303, Arts. I, V and VII.
Collection of delinquent real property tax from tenants — See Ch. 315, Art. XI.
Vacant structures and properties — See Ch. 324.
Parking in front yards — See Ch. 331, Art. V.
[1]
Editor's Note: The provisions of this ordinance were originally adopted as Ch. 338, but were renumbered to fit the alphabetical organization of the Code.
A. 
It is the purpose of this chapter and the policy of the Council of the City of Clairton, in order to protect and promote the public health, safety and welfare of its citizens, to establish rights and obligations of owners and occupants relating to the rental of all dwelling units in the City of Clairton and to encourage owners and occupants to maintain and improve the quality of rental housing within the community. It is also the policy of the City that owners, managers and occupants share responsibilities to obey the various codes adopted to protect and promote public health, safety and welfare. This chapter provides for a system of inspections; issuance and renewal of occupancy license; and sets penalties for violations.
B. 
This chapter shall be liberally construed and applied to promote its purposes and policies.
C. 
In considering the adoption of this chapter, the City of Clairton makes the following findings:
(1) 
There is a greater incidence of violations of various codes of the City at residential rental properties than at owner-occupied residential properties.
(2) 
There is a greater incidence of problems with the maintenance and upkeep of residential properties that are rental units than at owner-occupied residential properties.
(3) 
There is a greater incidence of disturbances, which adversely affect the peace and quiet of the neighborhood, at residential properties that are rental units than at owner-occupied residential properties.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
CITY
The City of Clairton, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.
CODE
Any code or ordinance adopted, enacted, and/or in effect in and for the City of Clairton concerning fitness for habitation or the construction, maintenance, operation, occupancy, use or appearance of any premises or dwelling unit. Included within, but not limited by, this definition are the following which are in effect as of the date of enactment of this chapter: Building Code; Property Maintenance Code; Fire Prevention Code; National Electrical Code; One- and Two-Family Dwelling Code; Floodplain Management Ordinance; Sidewalk Maintenance Ordinance; Solid Waste and Recycling Ordinance; International Mechanical Code; Zoning Ordinance; and any duly enacted amendment or supplement to any of the above and any new enactment falling within this definition.[1]
CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
The duly appointed Code Enforcement Officer(s) having charge of the Office of Code Enforcement of the City of Clairton, and any member of the Police or Fire Department of the City of Clairton so designated to carry out the duties noted herein.
COMMON AREA
In multiple-unit dwellings, space that is not part of a regulated rental unit and which is shared with other occupants of the dwelling whether they reside in regulated dwelling units or not. Common areas shall be considered as part of the premises for purposes of this chapter.
DISRUPTIVE CONDUCT
Any form of conduct, action, incident or behavior perpetrated, caused or permitted by any occupant or visitor of a regulated dwelling unit that is so loud, untimely (as to hour of the day), offensive, riotous or that otherwise unreasonably disturbs other persons of reasonable sensibility in their peaceful enjoyment of their premises such that a report is made to the police and/or Code Enforcement Officer complaining of such conduct, action, incident, or behavior. It is not necessary that such conduct, action, incident or behavior constitute a criminal offense, nor that criminal charges be filed against any person in order for a person to have perpetrated, caused or permitted the commission of disruptive conduct as defined herein; provided, however, that no disruptive conduct shall be deemed to have occurred unless the Code Enforcement Officer or police shall investigate and make a determination that such did occur, and keep written records, including a disruptive conduct report, of such occurrence.
DISRUPTIVE CONDUCT REPORT
A written report of disruptive conduct on a form to be prescribed therefor, to be completed by the Code Enforcement Officer or police, as the case may be, who actually investigates an alleged incident of disruptive conduct and which shall be maintained by the Code Enforcement Officer.
DWELLING
A building having one or more dwelling units.
DWELLING UNIT
A room or group of rooms within a dwelling and forming a single unit and used for living and sleeping purposes, having its own cooking facilities and a bathroom with a toilet and a bathtub or shower.
GUEST
A person on the premises with the actual or implied consent of an occupant.
LANDLORD
One or more persons, jointly or severally, in whom is vested all or part of the legal title to the premises, or all or part of the beneficial ownership and a right to present use and enjoyment of the premises, including a mortgage holder in possession of a regulated rental unit. (Same as "owner.")
MANAGER
An adult individual designated by the owner of a regulated rental unit under § 285-4. The manager shall be the agent of the owner for service of process and receiving notices or demands and to perform the obligation of the owner under this chapter and under rental agreement with occupants.
MULTIPLE-UNIT DWELLING
A building containing two or more independent dwelling units, including, but not limited to, double houses, row houses, townhouses, condominiums, apartment houses, and conversion apartments.
OCCUPANCY LICENSE
The license issued to the owner of regulated rental units under this chapter, which is required for the lawful rental and occupancy of regulated rental units.
OCCUPANT
An individual who resides in a regulated rental unit, whether or not he or she is the owner thereof, with whom a legal relationship with the owner/landlord is established by a written lease or by the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
OWNER
One or more persons, jointly or severally, in whom is vested all or part of the legal title to the premises, or all or part of the beneficial ownership and a right to present use and enjoyment of the premises, including a mortgage holder in possession of a regulated rental unit.
OWNER-OCCUPIED DWELLING UNIT
A dwelling unit in which the owner resides on a regular, permanent basis.
PERSON
A natural person, partnership, corporation, unincorporated association, limited partnership, trust, or any other entity.
POLICE
City police or any properly authorized member or officer of a municipal Police Department thereof or any other law enforcement agency having jurisdiction within the City of Clairton.
PREMISES
Any parcel of real property in the City, including the land and all buildings and appurtenant structures or appurtenant elements, upon which one or more regulated rental units is located.
REGULATED RENTAL UNITS
A dwelling unit occupied by any person under a rental agreement.
RENTAL AGREEMENT
A written agreement between owner/landlord and occupant/tenant supplemented by the addendum required under § 285-7 of this chapter, embodying houses, row houses, the terms and conditions concerning the use and occupancy of a specified regulated rental unit or premises.
TENANT
An individual who resides in a regulated rental unit, whether or not he or she is the owner thereof with whom a legal relationship with the owner/landlord is established by a written lease or by the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. (Same as "occupant.")
[1]
Editor's Note: See also Ch. 163, Building Construction; Ch. 171, Construction Codes; Uniform; Ch. 274, Property Maintenance; Ch. 199, Fire Prevention; Ch. 185, Electrical Standards; Ch. 203, Flood Damage Prevention; Ch. 303, Streets and Sidewalks; Ch. 299, Solid Waste; and Ch. 337, Zoning.
A. 
It shall be the duty of every owner to keep and maintain all regulated rental units in compliance with all applicable codes and provisions of all other applicable state laws and regulations and local ordinances, and to keep such property in good and safe condition.
B. 
As provided for in this chapter, every owner shall be responsible for regulating the proper and lawful use and maintenance of every dwelling which he, she or it owns. As provided for in this chapter, every owner shall also be responsible for regulating the conduct and activities of the occupants of every regulated rental unit, which he, she or it owns in the City, which conduct or activity takes place at such regulated rental unit or its premises.
C. 
In order to achieve those ends, every owner shall regulate the conduct and activity of the occupants thereof, both contractually and through enforcement, as more fully set forth below.
D. 
This section shall not be construed as diminishing or relieving, in any way, the responsibility of occupants or their guests for their conduct or activity; nor shall it be construed as an assignment, transfer, or projection over or onto any owner, of any responsibility or liability which occupants or their guests may have as a result of their conduct or activity under any private cause of action, civil or criminal enforcement proceeding, or criminal law; nor shall this section be construed so as to require an owner to indemnify or defend occupants or their guest when any such action or proceeding is brought against the occupant based upon the occupant's conduct or activity. Nothing herein is intended to impose any additional civil/criminal liability upon owners other than that which is imposed by existing law.
E. 
This chapter is not intended, nor shall its effect be, to limit any other enforcement remedies which may be available to the City against an owner, occupant, or guest thereof.
Every owner who is not a full-time resident of the City of Clairton or a resident elsewhere within 15 miles from Clairton shall designate a manager who shall reside within 15 miles of the City of Clairton. If the owner is a corporation, a manager shall be required if any officer of the corporation does not reside within the aforesaid distance. The officer shall perform the same function as a manager. If the owner is a partnership, a manager shall be the agent of the owner for service of process and receiving notices and demands, as well as for performing the obligation of the owner under this chapter and under rental agreements with occupants. The identity, address and telephone number(s) of a person who is designated as manager hereunder shall be provided by the owner or manager to the City, and such information shall be kept current and updated as it changes.
The owner or manager shall disclose the occupant in writing on or before the commencement of tenancy:
A. 
The name, address and telephone number of the manager; if applicable; and
B. 
The name, address and telephone number of the owner of the premises.
A. 
The owner shall maintain the premises in compliance with the applicable codes of the City and shall regularly perform all routine maintenance, including lawn mowing and ice and snow removal, and shall promptly make any and all repairs necessary to fulfill this obligation.
B. 
The owner and occupant may agree that the occupant is to perform specified repairs, maintenance tasks, alterations, or remodeling. In such case, however, such agreement between the owner and occupant must be in writing. Such an agreement may be entered into between owner and occupants only if:
(1) 
The agreement of the parties is entered in good faith and not for the purpose of evading the obligations of the owner or occupant; and
(2) 
The agreement does not diminish or affect the obligations of the owner to other occupants in the premises.
C. 
In no case shall the existence of any agreement between the owner and occupant relieve any owner of any responsibility under this chapter or other ordinances or codes for maintenance of premises.
A. 
All rental agreements for regulated dwelling units shall be in writing and shall be supplemented with the addendum attached hereto as Appendix A.[1] No oral leases and no oral modifications thereof are permitted. All disclosures and information required to be given to occupants by the owner shall be furnished before the signing of the rental agreement. The owner shall provide the occupant with copies of the rental agreement and addendum upon execution. The owner shall further secure a written acknowledgement from the occupants that they have received the disclosures and information required by this chapter.
[1]
Editor's Note: Said appendix is included as an attachment to this chapter.
B. 
Terms and conditions. The owner and occupant may include in a rental agreement terms and conditions not prohibited by this chapter or other applicable ordinances, regulations, and laws, including rent, term of the agreement, and other provisions governing the rights and obligations of the parties.
C. 
Prohibited provisions. Except as otherwise provided by this chapter, no rental agreement may provide that the occupant or owner agrees to waive or to forego rights or remedies under this chapter. A provision prohibited by this subsection included in a rental agreement shall be unenforceable.
D. 
Attachment of ordinance to rental agreement. Following the effective date of this chapter, a summary hereof in a form provided to owner by the City, at the time of licensing, shall be attached to each rental agreement delivered by or on behalf of an owner when any such agreement is presented for signing to any occupant. If a summary has been provided when the rental agreement was first executed, a summary does not have to be provided upon renewal. Where a rental agreement has been entered into prior to the effective date of this chapter; the owner shall provide the occupants with a copy of the summary within 60 days after enactment of this chapter.
E. 
Upon oral or written request by the Code Enforcement Officer, the owner shall within 10 days of such request furnish to the City copies of acknowledgment that the occupants have received the disclosures and information required to be given and acknowledged as required by this chapter.
F. 
Upon oral or written request by the Code Enforcement Officer, the owner shall within 10 days of such requests furnish to the City, for inspection purposes, copies of the leases the owner has entered into for regulated rental units.
The owner shall reply promptly to reasonable complaints and inquiries from occupants.
The owner shall comply with all provisions of the Landlord and Tenant Act of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See 68 P.S. § 250.101 et seq.
Where an owner does not regulate the use of common areas and the behavior of occupants and guests in the common areas, the owner shall be directly responsible for the behavior of occupants and guests in the common area as if the owner were an occupant.
A. 
Within 10 days after receipt of written notice from the Code Enforcement Officer that an occupant of a regulated rental unit has violated a provision of this chapter, the owner shall take immediate steps to remedy the violation and take steps to assure that there is not a reoccurrence of the violation.
B. 
Within 20 days after receipt of a notice of violation, the owner shall file with the Code Enforcement Officer a report on a form provided by the City, setting forth what action the owner has taken to prevent a reoccurrence of the violation. The report shall also set forth a plan as to steps the owner will take in the future if the violation reoccurs.
C. 
The Code Enforcement Officer shall review the report and, if adequate steps have been taken and the plan is adequate to address future violations, shall approve the plan; the owner shall, on his or her initiative, enforce the plan, and failure to do so shall be a violation of this chapter.
D. 
In the event that a second violation occurs within a license year involving the same occupant or occupants, the Code Enforcement Officer may direct the owner to evict the occupants who violated this chapter and to not permit the occupant to occupy the premises during the subsequent licensing period.
E. 
The owner shall file a report with the City on a form to be provided by the City specifically detailing the circumstances surrounding the eviction of any occupant for any reason. If any occupant is evicted for nonpayment of rent, then the owner must also furnish the City proof that said occupant has been reported to a licensed credit reporting bureau.
Upon receiving notice of any code violation from the Code Enforcement Officer, the owner shall promptly take action, or cause the necessary action to be taken, to abate the offending condition and eliminate the violation.
In case the owner of premises shall neglect, fail, or refuse to comply with any notice from the City or its Code Enforcement Officer to correct a violation relating to maintenance and repair of the premises under any code within the period of time stated in such notice, the City may cause the violation to be corrected. There shall be imposed upon the owner a charge of the actual costs involved, plus 10% of said costs for each time the City shall cause a violation to be corrected; and the owner of the premises shall be billed after same have been completed. Any such bill, which remains unpaid and outstanding after the time specified therein for payment, shall be grounds for the imposition of a municipal lien upon the premises as provided by law. Such a lien may be reduced to judgment and enforced and collected as provided by law, together with interest at the legal rate and court cost. The remedies provided by this section are not exclusive, and the City and its Code Enforcement Officer may invoke such other remedies available under this chapter or other applicable codes, ordinances or statutes, including, where appropriate, condemnation proceedings or declarations of premises as unfit for habitation, or suspension, revocation or nonrenewal of the license issued hereunder. Nothing in this section or this chapter shall be construed to shift the responsibility for keeping any premises in a safe condition from the owner of any such premises to the City. The City shall not be held liable in any situation for failure to exercise the powers granted herein to remedy any such code violation.
The owner shall permit inspection of any premises by the Code Enforcement Officer, as defined herein, at reasonable times upon reasonable notice.
The occupant shall comply with all obligations imposed upon occupants by this chapter, all applicable codes and ordinances of the City and all applicable provisions of state law.
A. 
The maximum number of persons permitted in any regulated rental unit at any time shall not exceed one person for each 50 square feet of habitable floor space in said regulated rental unit. The maximum number of persons permitted in the common area of any multiple dwelling at any time shall not exceed one person for each 15 square feet of common area on the premises.
B. 
The occupant shall dispose from his or her regulated rental unit all rubbish, garbage, and other waste in a clean and safe manner in compliance with Chapter 299, Solid Waste, Article I, Collection, and all other applicable ordinances, laws and regulations.
The occupant shall conduct himself or herself and require the other persons, including, but not limited to, guests on the premises and within his or her regulated rental unit with his or her consent to conduct themselves in a manner that will not disturb the peaceful enjoyment of the premises by others, and that will not disturb the peaceful enjoyment of adjacent or nearby dwellings by the persons occupying same.
The occupant shall, unless otherwise permitted by applicable law or ordinance, occupy or use his or her regulated rental unit for no other purpose than as a residence.
The occupant shall not engage in, tolerate, nor permit others on the premises to engage in any conduct declared illegal under the Pennsylvania Crimes Code (18 Pa.C.S.A. § 101 et seq.) or Liquor Code (47 P.S. § 1-101 et seq.), or the Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act (35 P.S. § 780-101 et seq.).
A. 
The occupant shall not engage in, tolerate, nor permit others on the premises to engage in disruptive conduct, or other violations of this chapter.
B. 
When police or the Code Enforcement Officer investigates an alleged incident of disruptive conduct, he or she shall complete a disruptive conduct report upon a finding that the reported incident did, in his or her judgment, constitute "disruptive conduct" as defined herein. The information filled in on said report shall include, if possible, identity or identities of the alleged perpetrator(s) of the disruptive conduct and all other obtainable information, including the factual basis for the disruptive conduct, requested on the prescribed form. When the police make such investigation, said police officer shall then submit the completed disruptive conduct report to the Code Enforcement Officer within seven working days. In all cases, the Code Enforcement Officer shall mail a copy of the disruptive conduct report to the owner or manager within 10 working days of the occurrence of the alleged disruptive conduct, whether the person making the investigation on behalf of the City is the Code Enforcement Officer or police.
The occupant shall comply with all lawful provisions of the rental agreement entered into between the owner and occupant. Failure to comply may result in the eviction of the occupant by the owner.
The occupant shall not intentionally cause, permit, nor tolerate others to cause damage to the premises. Conduct which results in damages in excess of $500 shall be considered a violation of this chapter.
The occupant shall permit inspection by the Code Enforcement Officer, as defined herein, of the premises at reasonable times, upon reasonable notice.
A. 
As a prerequisite to entering into a rental agreement or permitting the occupancy of any regulated rental unit (except as provided in Subsection C, below), the owner of every such regulated rental shall be required to apply for and obtain a license for each regulated rental unit.
B. 
A license shall be required for all regulated rental units.
C. 
The application for the license shall be in a form as determined by the City.
D. 
The owner shall maintain a current list of occupants in each regulated dwelling unit, which shall include their name, permanent address and permanent telephone number. The owner shall furnish the list to the City upon request and shall notify the City of any changes in the number of occupants so that revisions can be made to the license.
E. 
The owner shall furnish with his or her application for license a copy of the written lease which the owner intends to have the occupants of each license dwelling unit execute. If the owner uses more than one form of lease, the owner shall furnish a copy of each form. The license will not be issued if the lease form does not meet the requirements of § 285-7 of this chapter.
F. 
The owner shall furnish with his or her application, for inspection purposes only, the leases that have been entered into that will cover all or part of the license term. The license will not be issued if such leases are not furnished for inspection. Leases shall be furnished for all persons who have paid a deposit at the time the owner apply for a license or who have committed to residing in the premises.
A. 
Each license shall have an annual term running from January 1 through December 31 each year.
B. 
Upon application for a license and prior to the issuance of renewal thereof, each applicant shall pay to the City an annual license and inspection fee of $25 per unit. This fee shall again be due if there is a midterm tenant change or per each tenant change. The license and application fee may be amended from time to time by resolution of the City Council. Such resolution may provide for more than one fee scale for different categories of premises, to be more specifically set forth in the resolution.
C. 
The license shall indicate thereon the maximum number of occupants in each regulated rental unit.
D. 
No license shall be issued if the owner has not paid any fines and costs arising from enforcement of this chapter or any of the ordinances of the City of Clairton relating to land use and/or code enforcement, if any licensing fees under this chapter are due and owing to the City, or if any taxes of any nature are due which are imposed on the real estate involved.
A. 
All premises shall be subject to periodic inspection by the Code Enforcement Officer or another duly authorized agent of the City. Such inspection may take place when an application is submitted for a license, or at any time during the year.
B. 
The Code Enforcement Officer, as defined herein, is hereby designated as the official authorized to enforce this chapter and to take appropriate measures to abate violations herein, for and on behalf of the City of Clairton. The Police and Fire Departments will also have authority to enforce this chapter and take appropriate action to abate violations as indicated in the definition of Code Enforcement Officer herein.
C. 
This section shall not be construed so as to limit or restrict the Code Enforcement Officer's authority to conduct inspection of premises, whether or not subject to the permitting and inspection requirements of this chapter or pursuant to any other ordinance or Code.
Upon showing of probable cause that a violation of this chapter or any other ordinance of the City of Clairton has occurred, the Code Enforcement Officer or police may apply to the District Justice having jurisdiction in the City of Clairton for a search warrant to enter and inspect the premises.
The Code Enforcement Officer may initiate disciplinary action against an owner that may result in a formal warning, nonrenewal, suspension or revocation of the owner's license, for violating any provision of this chapter that imposes a duty upon the owner, and/or for failing to regulate the breach of duties by occupants as provided for herein.
A. 
Formal warning. Formal written notification of at least one violation of this chapter. Upon satisfactory compliance with this chapter and any conditions imposed by the Code Enforcement Officer and/or the City Council, the formal warning shall be removed when the owner applies for license renewal at a time set by the Code Enforcement Officer or by the City Council.
B. 
Nonrenewal. The denial of the privilege to apply for license renewal after expiration of the license term. The City will permit the owner to maintain occupants in the premises until the end of the license term but will not accept applications for renewal of the license until a time set by the Code Enforcement Officer or by the City Council.
C. 
Suspension. The immediate loss of the privilege to rent regulated rental units for a period of time set by the Code Enforcement Officer or by the City Council. The owner, after expiration of the suspension period, may apply for license renewal without the need to show cause why the owner's privilege to apply for a license should be reinstated. Upon suspension, the owner shall take immediate steps to evict the occupants.
D. 
Revocation. The immediate loss of the privilege to rent regulated rental units for a period time set by the Code Enforcement Officer or the City Council and the loss of the privilege to apply for renewal of the license at the expiration of the time period. Upon the loss of the privilege to rent, the owner shall take immediate steps to evict the occupants.
A. 
The Code Enforcement Officer, when recommending discipline, and the City Council, when applying discipline, shall consider the following.
(1) 
The effect of the violation on the health, safety and welfare of the occupants of the regulated rental unit and other residents of the premises.
(2) 
The effect of the violation on the neighborhood.
(3) 
Whether the owner has prior violations of this chapter and other ordinances of the City or has received notices of violations as provided for in this chapter.
(4) 
Whether the owner has been subject to disciplinary proceedings under this chapter.
(5) 
The effect of disciplinary action on the occupants.
(6) 
The action taken by the owner to remedy the violation and to prevent future violations, including any written plan submitted by the owner.
(7) 
The policies and lease language employed by the owner to manage the regulated dwelling unit to enable the owner to comply with the provisions of this chapter.
B. 
In addition to applying discipline as set forth above, the Code Enforcement Officer may recommend and City Council may impose upon the existing or subsequent license reasonable conditions related to fulfilling the purposes of this chapter.
Any of the following may subject the owner to discipline as provided for in this chapter.
A. 
Failure to abate a violation of the City codes and ordinances that apply to the premises within the time directed by the Code Enforcement Officer.
B. 
Refusal to submit to the inspection of the premises by the Code Enforcement Officer as required by § 285-26.
C. 
Failure to take steps to remedy and prevent violations of this chapter by occupants of regulated rental units as required by § 285-11 of this chapter.
D. 
Failure to file and implement an approved plan to remedy and prevent violations of this chapter by occupants of a regulated rental unit as required by § 285-11 of this chapter.
E. 
Failure to evict occupants after having been directed to do so by the Code Enforcement Officer of the City as provided for in § 285-11 of this chapter.
F. 
Three violations of this chapter or other ordinances of the City that apply to the premises within a license term. For purposes of this chapter, there need be no conviction before a violation can be found to exist. Before a prior violation can be considered under this section, the owner must have received notice in writing of this violation within 30 days after the Code Enforcement Officer received notice of the violation.
A. 
Notification. Following a determination that grounds for nonrenewal, suspension or revocation of a license exist, the Code Enforcement Officer shall notify the owner of the action to be taken and the reason therefor. Such notification shall be in writing, addressed to the owner in question, and shall contain the following information.
(1) 
The address of the premises in question and the identification of the particular regulated rental unit(s) affected.
(2) 
A description of the violation, which has been found to exist.
(3) 
A notice that the regulated rental unit(s) is in violation of this chapter with a specification of the grounds of the violation. Such violations must be cured within 30 days from the date of this notice.
(4) 
Notice that each day the violation remains shall be a separate violation and punishable under § 285-33. The City shall further have the right to enjoin the obligations and duties created under this chapter.
(5) 
A statement informing the owner that he, she or it has a right to appeal the decision that the owner is in violation of this chapter by submitting in writing to the City Administrator, within 30 days from the date printed on the notice, a detailed statement of the appeal including the grounds therefor and the reason(s) alleged as to why the determination of the Code Enforcement Officer is incorrect or should be overturned, and a statement of the relief requested by the appellant. Such notice of appeal may be required to be submitted on a form to be prescribed therefor by the City Council, to be signed by the appellant. There is hereby imposed a fee for filing such appeals, the amount of which shall be determined and established from time to time by resolution of the City Council.
(6) 
Upon receipt of such an appeal in proper form, accompanied with the requisite filing fee, the City Administrator shall schedule a hearing to be held at the time and date of the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting not less that 10 days from the date on which the appeal is filled.
(7) 
The appellant and the Code Enforcement Officer shall receive written notice of the hearing on appeal.
(8) 
The City Council shall hold a hearing on the appeal which shall be conducted in accordance with the Local Agency Law, 2 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 551 to 555. The appellant and all other parties having interest may be heard. Based on the facts and arguments of the appellant and of the Code Enforcement Officer and any police or other public officials involved, and any relevant factual presentations of other parties, the City Council shall make a decision affirming, reversing or modifying the action of the Code Enforcement Officer from which the appeal was taken. Such decision shall be rendered at a public meeting either immediately following the hearing or within 30 days thereafter. The decision shall be reduced to writing stating clearly the factual and legal basis for the decision, within 45 days after the hearing. If the City Council deems it necessary or desirable, it may continue the hearing to a subsequent time and date not later than 30 days from the initial hearing, which time and date shall be openly announced at the initial hearing and, in such case, that time limits for rendering the decision and reducing it to writing set forth herein shall be calculated from the last hearing date (at which substance of the decision is orally announced).
B. 
Delivery of notification.
(1) 
All notices shall be sent to the owner or manager, if applicable, by certified mail. In the event that the notice is returned by the postal authorities marked "unclaimed" or "refused," then the Code Enforcement Officer shall attempt to deliver by personal service on the owner or manager, if applicable. The Code Enforcement Officer shall also post the notice at a conspicuous place on the premises.
(2) 
If personal service cannot be accomplished after a reasonable attempt to do so, then the notice may be sent to the owner or manager at the address stated on the most current license application for the premises in question, by regular first-class mail, postage prepaid. If such notice is not returned by the postal authorities within five days of its deposit in the United States Mail, then it shall be deemed to have been delivered to and received by the address on the fifth day following its deposit in the United States Mail, and all time periods set forth under § 285-32 above, shall thereupon be calculated from said fifth day.
A. 
It shall be unlawful for any person, as either owner or manager of a regulated rental unit for which a license is required, to operate without a valid, current license issued by the City authorizing such operation.
B. 
It shall also be unlawful for any person, either owner or manager to exceed the maximum limit as set forth on the license, or to violate any other provision of this chapter.
C. 
It shall be unlawful for any occupant to violate this chapter.
Any other violation of this chapter shall constitute a civil offense punishable upon conviction thereof by a District Justice, by a fine not to exceed $600 plus costs of prosecution. Each day of violation shall constitute a separate and distinct offense.
The penalty provision of this chapter and the license nonrenewal, suspension and revocation procedures provided in this chapter shall be independent, nonmutually exclusive separate remedies, all of which shall be available to the City as may be deemed appropriate for carrying out the purpose of this chapter. The remedies and procedures provided in this chapter for violation hereof are not intended to supplant or replace, to any degree, the remedies and procedures available to the City in the case of a violation of any other code or ordinance of the City, whether or not such other code or ordinance is referenced in this chapter and whether or not an ongoing violation of such other code or ordinance is cited as the underlying ground for a finding of a violation of this chapter.
A. 
For purposes of this chapter, any notice required hereunder to be given to a manager shall be deemed as notice given to the owner.
B. 
There shall be a rebuttable presumption that any notice required to be given to the owner under this chapter shall have been received by such owner if the notice was given to the owner in the manner provided in this chapter.
C. 
A claimed lack of knowledge by the owner of any violation hereunder cited shall be no defense to license nonrenewal, suspension or revocation proceedings as long as all notices prerequisite to institution of such proceedings have been given and deemed received in accordance with the applicable provisions of this chapter.
It shall be the duty of each owner of a regulated rental unit to notify the Code Enforcement Officer in writing of any changes in ownership of the premises or of the number of regulated rental units on the premises. It shall also be the duty of the owner to notify the Code Enforcement Officer in writing of any increase in the number of occupants in any regulated rental unit or of the changing of a dwelling unit from owner-occupied to non-owner-occupied, which thereby transforms the dwelling into a regulated rental unit for purposes of this chapter.
If any regulated rental unit is owned by more than one person, in any form of joint tenancy, as a partnership, or otherwise, each person shall be jointly and severally responsible for the duties imposed under the terms of this chapter, and shall be severally subject to prosecution of the violation of this chapter.
If any provision of this chapter or the application thereof to any person or circumstances is held invalid, such holding shall not affect the other provisions or application, and, to this end, the provisions of this chapter are declared severable.
All ordinances or parts of ordinances which are inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed to the extent of such inconsistency.
This chapter shall become effective immediately.