[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township of East Allen 11-20-2013 by Ord. No. 2013-06.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also provided for the repeal of former Ch. 134, Key Lock Boxes, adopted 9-25-2003 by Ord. No. 2003-4.
The Supervisors of East Allen Township, Northampton County, Pennsylvania, under the powers vested in them by the Second Class Township Code[1] as well as other laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, hereby ordain and enact this chapter.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 65101 et seq.
A. 
The following structures shall be equipped with a key lock box at or near the main entrance or such other location required by the Fire Chief or the Fire Department designs:
(1) 
All commercial or industrial structures, any structure other than residential structures containing uses customarily known as commercial and/or industrial uses, or such structures that are secured in a manner that restricts access during an emergency;
(2) 
Multifamily residential structures, structures containing three or more residential units that have restricted access through locked doors and have a common corridor for access to the living units;
(3) 
Governmental structures and nursing care facilities, schools of instruction;
(4) 
Retail structures, and any structure containing retail sales over 1,000 square feet; and
(5) 
Any nonresidential structure over 5,000 square feet.
B. 
All newly constructed structures subject to this section shall have the key lock box installed and operational prior to the issuance of an occupancy permit. All structures in existence on the effective date of this section and subject to this section shall install the key lock box system either upon the change of tenants from the tenant that is occupying the premises as of the effective date of this chapter or within five years of the effective date of this chapter, whichever date shall first occur. The key lock box shall be installed and operational as of that date.
C. 
The Fire Chief or the Fire Department designee shall designate the type of key lock box system to be implemented within the Township and shall have the authority to require all structures to use the designated system.
D. 
The owner or operator of a structure required to have a key lock box shall at all times keep a key in the lock box that will allow for access to the structure.
E. 
The Fire Chief or the Fire Department designee shall be authorized to implement rules and regulations for the use of the lock box system.
This chapter shall take effect immediately upon its passage.
A. 
Any person, firm or corporation who owns or operates a structure subject to this chapter shall be subject to the penalties for any violation of this chapter, provided that the minimum fine for a conviction for a violation of this section shall be $100 per day plus filing fees and attorneys' fees.
B. 
If found to be in violation of this chapter, the party in violation shall be required to pay any and all expenses incurred by the East Allen Township Volunteer Fire Department for said call.