City of Scranton, PA Chapter 359 Condemned Property

[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of the City of Scranton 12-8-2009 by Ord. No. 116-2009. Amendments noted where applicable.]

GENERAL REFERENCES

Building construction — See Ch. 187.

Uniform construction codes — See Ch. 201.

Contractors — See Ch. 203.

Property maintenance — See Ch. 360.

Zoning — See Ch. 445.

§ 359-1 Establishment and adoption of policy.

The Condemned Property Policy is hereby established and adopted.

§ 359-2 Affidavit required for work on condemned property.

Any owner of a property condemned by the City of Scranton must submit to the Department of Licensing, Inspections and Permits and the Zoning Bureau of the City of Scranton, City Hall, Fourth Floor, Scranton, Pennsylvania, telephone [phone], a duly executed and notarized affidavit containing the following information before any work can be performed on the condemned property:

A. Complete name of the property owner.

B. Complete mailing address of the property owner.

C. Contact information for the property owner, including business and/or cell phone number.

D. A certified copy of the deed evidencing ownership of the property.

E. A copy of a tax certificate issued by the Lackawanna County Tax Claim Bureau evidencing that Scranton School District and Lackawanna County taxes are paid in full.

F. A copy of a tax certificate from the City Treasurer evidencing that City of Scranton real estate taxes and refuse fees are paid in full.

G. A detailed statement of the work to be completed to rehabilitate the property, including but not limited to:

(1) The owner's detailed intentions for the rehabilitation of the property.

(2) A timeline for completion of the rehabilitation work on the property.

(3) A list of licensed contractors engaged to work on the property.

(4) The scope of work of each contractor.

§ 359-3 Responsibilities of property owner before commencement of rehabilitation.

Before commencing the rehabilitation work, the property owner must:

A. Secure a performance bond or cashier's check, acceptable to the City of Scranton, to cover demolition costs. Said bond or check shall remain in full force and effect at all times until the City issues a certificate of occupancy for the property.

B. Obtain written approval from the Bureau of Zoning to ensure his/her intentions for said property meet the requirements allowed by the Bureau of Zoning.

C. Once the rehabilitation plan is approved by the Bureau of Zoning, any and all necessary permits must be obtained through the Department of Licensing, Inspections and Permits before work can commence on the condemned property.

D. The City of Scranton reserves the right to inspect the property at any time work is being performed at the property.

§ 359-4 Requirements after rehabilitation is complete.

When rehabilitation of the condemned property is complete, the following actions must be taken before the condemned property is released from condemnation:

A. The owner must contact the Department of Licensing, Inspections and Permits and schedule a final inspection of the property.

B. The owner must obtain a certificate of occupancy for the property. The property will not be released from condemnation until a certificate of occupancy has been obtained.