The following words and phrases when used in this article shall
have, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the meanings
given to them in this section:
DETERIORATED PROPERTY
A dwelling unit located in the City of Scranton, as hereinafter
provided, or a dwelling unit which has been or upon request is certified
by a health, housing or building inspection agency as unfit for human
habitation for rent withholding, or other health or welfare purposes,
or has been the subject of an order by such an agency requiring the
unit to be vacated, condemned or demolished by reason of noncompliance
with laws, ordinances or regulations.
DWELLING UNIT
Unless otherwise defined in the ordinance or resolution providing
for tax exemption, a house, apartment, or group of rooms intended
for occupancy as separate living quarters by family or other groups
or a person living alone, containing a kitchen or cooking equipment
for the exclusive use of the occupants.
IMPROVEMENT
Repair, construction or reconstruction, including alterations
and additions, having the effect of rehabilitating a structure so
that it becomes habitable or attains higher standards of housing safety,
health or amenity or is brought into compliance with laws, ordinances
or regulations governing housing standards; ordinary upkeep and maintenance
shall not be deemed an improvement.
It is hereby determined and declared by City Council that the
following portions of the City qualify and are hereby designated as
areas eligible for tax exempt status: The whole City of Scranton.
No amendments to this article shall be effective unless consented
to by ordinance of the governing body of the City of Scranton.
Any exemption made permissible under this article shall not
be applied to any industrial, commercial or other business property.
If any sentence, clause, section, or part of this article is
for any reason found to be unconstitutional, illegal or invalid, such
unconstitutionality, illegality, or invalidity shall not effect or
impair any of the remaining provisions, sentences, clauses, sections
or parts of this article. It is hereby declared as the intent of the
Council of the City of Scranton that this article would have been
adopted as such as if such unconstitutional, illegal, or invalid sentence,
clause, section or part thereof had not been included herein.
This article shall automatically terminate 10 years from the
effective date of this article. Any person who obtains an exemption
hereunder shall be entitled to the entire exemption period of 10 years
even if said ten-year period goes beyond the termination date.