[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Commissioners of the Township of
Springfield 10-12-1999 by Ord. No. 1354. Amendments noted where
applicable.]
This ordinance is enacted for the following purposes: to promote the health, safety, morals and general welfare of the inhabitants of the Township of Springfield by preventing, correcting and preserving the integrity of buildings and parts of buildings, and as an indirect result, maintaining neighborhood qualities. It is not the intent hereof to apply these requirements to the standards which are a basis for the issuance of Certificate of Occupancy required by Chapter 20 or Chapter 143 of the Code of the Township of Springfield.
A.
Structural members. All supporting structural members
of all structures shall be kept structurally sound, free of deterioration
and maintained capable of safely bearing the dead and live loads imposed upon
them.
B.
Exterior surfaces. Every foundation, exterior wall, roof
and all other exterior surfaces shall be maintained in a workmanlike state
of maintenance and repair and shall be kept in such condition as to exclude
rats, squirrels, bats, birds and insects.
C.
Foundation walls. All foundation walls shall be maintained
so as to carry the safe design and operating dead and live loads and shall
be maintained plumb and free from open cracks and breaks so as not to be detrimental
to public safety and welfare.
D.
Exterior walls. Every exterior wall shall be free of
holes, breaks, loose or rotting boards or timbers and any other conditions
which might admit rain or dampness to the interior portions of the walls or
to the occupied spaces of the building. All exterior surface materials, including
wood, composition or metal siding, shall be maintained weatherproof and shall
be properly surface coated when required to prevent deterioration.
E.
Roofing and drainage. The roof shall be structurally
sound, tight and not have defects which might admit rain. Roof drainage shall
be adequate to prevent rainwater from causing dampness or deterioration in
the walls or interior portion of the building. Roof water shall not be discharged
in a manner that creates a nuisance to owners or occupants of adjacent premises
or that creates a public nuisance.
F.
Chimneys and towers. All chimneys, cooling towers, smoke
stacks and similar appurtenances shall be maintained structurally safe, sound
and in good repair. All exposed surfaces of metal or wood shall be protected
from the elements and against decay or rust by periodic application of weathercoating
materials such as paint or similar surface treatment.
G.
Stairs and porches. Every stair, porch, fire escape,
balcony and all appurtenances attached thereto shall be constructed as to
be safe to use and capable of supporting the anticipated loads and shall be
maintained in sound condition and good repair. Every handrail and guardrail
shall be firmly fastened and capable of bearing normally imposed loads and
shall be maintained in good condition.
H.
Window and door frames. Every window, door and frame
shall be constructed and maintained in such relation to the adjacent wall
construction so as to be weather-tight. Every window and exterior door shall
be fitted securely in its frame and be weathertight. Weather stripping shall
be used to exclude wind or rain from entering the dwelling or structure and
shall be maintained in sound condition and good repair.
I.
Door hardware. Every exterior door and its hardware shall
be maintained in good condition. Door locks on all doors entering dwelling
units shall be in good repair and capable of tightly securing the door.
J.
Basement hatchways. Every basement hatchway shall be
substantially constructed and maintained so as to prevent the entrance of
rats, rain and surface drainage water into the structure.
A.
In order to preserve, protect and maintain the community's
health, safety, general welfare and ambiance, buildings damaged by an act
of God or fire which have damaged windows, doors or other portals must immediately
be protected by boarding for a period of time not in excess of 30 calendar
days upon approval of the Springfield Township Code Enforcement Officer or
his deputy. At the expiration of said period of time, the window, door or
other portal must be completely restored with an appropriate functioning door
or window.
B.
In all other instances where windows, doors or other
portals have been subject to damage or destruction, immediate or temporary
covering or boarding will only be permitted by a period of time not in excess
of five working days upon approval by the Township Code Enforcement Officer.
At the expiration of said period of time the window, door or other portal
shall be restored with an appropriate functioning door or window.
C.
The Township Code Enforcement Officer, in his discretion,
may extend the permitted period of time where it can be determined that uncontrollable
circumstances warrant said extension.
A.
Every accessory structure, including detached garages,
sheds, storage buildings, walls and fences, shall be maintained structurally
sound and appropriately protected from deterioration by the elements.
B.
All canopies, marquees, awnings, stairways, fire escapes,
standpipes, exhaust ducts, air conditioners, parapets and similar overhead
extensions and building attachments shall be maintained in good order and
repair and be properly anchored so as to be kept in a safe and sound condition.
They shall be appropriately protected from the elements and against decay
and rust by the periodic and timely application of a weather resistant coating
material such as paint.
