Township of East Allen, PA Property Maintenance

A certain document, a copy of which is on file at the office of East Allen Township, being marked and designated as the "International Property Maintenance Code, 2015 Edition," as published by the International Code Council, be and is hereby adopted and to be referred to as the "Property Maintenance Code" of East Allen Township of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for regulating and governing the conditions and maintenance of all property, buildings and structures; by providing the standards for supplied utilities and facilities and other physical things and conditions essential to ensure that structures are safe, sanitary and fit for occupation and use; and the condemnation of buildings and structures unfit for human occupancy and use, and the demolition of such existing structures as herein provided; and providing for the issuance of permits and collection of fees therefor; and each and all of the regulations, provisions, penalties, conditions and terms of said Property Maintenance Code on file in the office of East Allen Township are hereby referred to, adopted and made a part hereof as if more fully set forth hereinafter at length in this chapter, with the additions, insertions, deletions and changes, if any, prescribed in § 174-3 of this chapter. At such time the International Code Council Property Maintenance Code is reissued, such reissuance shall become effective pursuant to the terms of this chapter without the need for further provisions or amendments; rather, said reissued International Code Council Property Maintenance Code shall automatically be substituted for the code existing at the time of the adoption of this chapter.

§ 174-3 Revisions.

The following sections of the International Property Maintenance Code, 2009 Edition, are hereby revised to read as follows:

Section 101.1 Title. These regulations shall be known as the "Property Maintenance Code of East Allen Township," hereinafter referred to as "this code."

Section 101.2 Scope. The provisions of this code shall apply to all existing residential and nonresidential structures and all existing premises and constitute minimum requirements and standards for premises, structures, equipment and facilities for light, ventilation, space, heating, sanitation, protection from the elements, life safety, safety from fire and other hazards, and for safe and sanitary maintenance; the responsibility of owners, operators and occupants; the occupancy of existing structures and premises; and for administration, enforcement and penalties. The provisions of this code shall not apply to any structures and premises actively and presently used exclusively for agricultural purposes.

Section 103.5 Fees. The fees for activities and services performed by the department in carrying out its responsibilities under this code shall be as authorized by resolution of the Board of Supervisors of East Allen Township.

Section 302.4 Weeds. All premises and exterior property shall be maintained free from weeds or plant growth six inches or greater in height. All noxious weeds shall be prohibited. "Weeds" shall be defined as all grasses, annual plants and vegetation, other than trees or shrubs; provided, however, this term shall not include cultivated flowers and gardens.

Upon failure of the owner or agent having charge of a property to cut and destroy weeds after service of a notice of violation, he or she shall be subject to prosecution in accordance with Section 106.3 and as prescribed by the authority having jurisdiction. Upon failure to comply with the notice of violation, any duly authorized employee of the jurisdiction or contractor hired by the jurisdiction shall be authorized to enter upon the property in violation and cut and destroy the weeds growing thereon, and the costs of such removal shall be paid by the owner or agent responsible for the property.

[Amended 4-26-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-05]

Section 304.14 Insect screens. During the period from April 1 of each year through October 31 of each year, every door, window and other outside opening required for ventilation of habitable rooms, food preparation areas, food service areas or any areas where products to be included or utilized in food for human consumption are processed, manufactured, packaged or stored shall be supplied with approved tightly fitting screens of not less than 16 mesh per inch (16 mesh per 25 mm), and every screen door used for insect control shall have a self-closing device in good working condition.

Exception: Screens shall not be required where other approved means, such as air curtains or insect repellent fans, are employed.

Section 602.3 Heat supply. Every owner and operator of any building who rents, leases or lets one or more dwelling units or sleeping units on terms, either expressed or implied, to furnish heat to the occupants thereof shall supply heat during the period from October 15 of each year until April 1 of each year to maintain a temperature of not less than 68° F. (20° C.) in all habitable rooms, bathrooms, and toilet rooms.

	Exceptions:
	1.	When the outdoor temperature is below the winter outdoor design temperature for the locality, maintenance of the minimum room temperature shall not be required, provided that the heating system is operating at its full design capacity. The winter outdoor design temperature for the locality shall be as indicated in Appendix D of the International Plumbing Code.
	2.	In areas where the average monthly temperature is above 30° F. (-1° C.), a minimum temperature of 65° F. (18° C.) shall be maintained.

Section 602.4 Occupiable work spaces. Indoor occupiable work spaces shall be supplied with heat during the period from October 15 of each year until April 1 of each year to maintain a temperature of not less than 65° F. (18° C.) during the period the spaces are occupied.

	Exceptions:
	1.	Processing, storage and operation areas that require cooling or special temperature conditions.
	2.	Areas in which persons are primarily engaged in vigorous physical activities.