[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township of
West Hanover 1-20-1986 as Ch. 4, Part 1, of the 1986 Code. Amendments noted
where applicable.]
A.
BUILDING
DANGEROUS BUILDING
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
(8)
(9)
DWELLING
DWELLING UNIT
EXTERMINATION
GARBAGE
INFESTATION
OWNER
(1)
(2)
PERSON
PROPERTY
RUBBISH
STRUCTURE
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have
the meanings indicated, unless a different meaning clearly appears from the
context:
An independent structure having a roof supported by columns or walls
resting on its own foundation and includes dwelling, garage, barn, stable,
shed, greenhouse, mobile home, plant, factory, warehouse, school or similar
structure.
All buildings or structures which have any or all of the following
defects shall be deemed dangerous buildings:
Those whose interior walls or other vertical structural members list,
lean or buckle to such an extent that a plumb line passing through the center
of gravity falls outside of the middle third of its base.
Those which, exclusive of the foundation, show damage or deterioration
to 33% of the supporting member or members, or damage or deterioration to
50% of the nonsupporting enclosing or outside walls or covering.
Those which have improperly distributed loads upon the floors or roofs
or in which the same are overloaded, or which have insufficient strength to
be reasonably safe for the purpose used.
Those which have been damaged by fire, wind or other causes so as to
be dangerous to life, safety or the general health and welfare of the occupants
or the public.
Those which are so damaged, dilapidated, decayed, unsafe, unsanitary,
vermin-infested or which so utterly fail to provide the amenities essential
to decent living that they are unfit for human habitation, or are likely to
cause sickness or disease, so as to work injury to the health, safety or general
welfare of those living therein.
Those which have parts thereof which are so attached that they may fall
and injure property or members of the public.
Those which lack illumination, ventilation or sanitation facilities
or because of another condition are unsafe, unsanitary or dangerous to the
health, safety or general welfare of the occupants or the public.
Those which, because of their location, are unsanitary or otherwise
dangerous to the health or safety of the occupants or the public.
Those existing in violation of any provision of Chapter 78, Building Construction, Article I, Building Code, Chapter 103, Fire Prevention, or other ordinances of the West Hanover Township.
Any building which is wholly or partly used or intended to be used
for living or sleeping by human occupants.
Any room or group of rooms located within a dwelling and forming
a single habitable unit with facilities which are used or intended to be used
for living or sleeping by human occupants.
Control and elimination of insects, rodents or other pests by eliminating
their harborage places; removing or making inaccessible materials that may
serve as their food; poisoning, spraying, fumigating, trapping or by any other
recognized and legal pest elimination methods.
Animal and vegetable wastes resulting from the handling, preparation,
cooking and consumption of food.
Presence, within or around a dwelling, of any insects, rodents or
other pests.
Person who, alone or jointly or severally with others:
Shall have legal title to any dwelling or dwelling unit, with or without
accompanying actual possession thereof; or
Shall have charge, care or control of any dwelling or dwelling unit,
as owner or agent of the owner, or as executor, executrix, administrator,
administratrix or guardian of the estate of the owner. Any such person thus
representing the actual owner shall be bound to comply with the provisions
of this chapter and with rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto, to
the same extent as if he were the owner.
Any individual, firm, corporation, association or partnership, or
other legal entity.
A piece, parcel, lot or tract of land.
Combustible and noncombustible waste materials, except garbage, including
residue from the burning of wood, coal, coke and other combustible material,
paper, rags, cartons, boxes, wood, excelsior, rubber, leather, tree branches,
yard trimmings, tin cans, metals, mineral matter, glass, crockery and dust.
Any thing constructed or erected with a fixed or ascertainable location
on the ground or in water, whether or not affixed to the ground or anchored
in the water, including buildings, walls, fences, platforms, docks, wharves,
billboards, signs and walks.
B.
Whenever the words "dwelling," "dwelling unit" or "premises"
are used in this chapter, they shall be construed as though they were followed
by the words "or any part thereof."
All dangerous buildings within the terms of § 81-1 of this chapter are hereby declared to be public nuisances and shall be repaired, vacated or demolished as herein provided.
The following standards shall be followed in substance by the Code Enforcement
Officer or his designee of the West Hanover Township in ordering repair, vacation
or demolition:
A.
If the dangerous building can reasonably be repaired
so that it will no longer exist in violation of the terms of this chapter,
it shall be ordered to be repaired.
B.
If the dangerous building is in such condition as to
make it dangerous to the health, safety or general welfare of its occupants
or the public and is so placarded, it shall be ordered to be vacated within
such length of time, not exceeding 30 days, as is reasonable.
C.
No dwelling or dwelling unit which has been placarded
as unfit for human habitation shall again be used for human habitation until
written approval is secured from, and such placard is removed by, the Code
Enforcement Officer or his designee. The Code Enforcement Officer or his designee
shall remove such placard whenever the defect or defects upon which the placarding
action were based have been eliminated.
D.
If a dangerous building is 50% or more damaged or decayed,
or deteriorated from its original condition; if a dangerous building cannot
be repaired, so that it will no longer exist in violation of the terms of
this chapter; or if a dangerous building is a fire hazard existing or erected
in violation of the terms of this chapter or any ordinance of the West Hanover
Township or statute of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, it shall be ordered
to be demolished, provided that the cost of repairs to rectify or remove the
conditions constituting the nuisance exceed 50% of the market value of the
building at the time demolition is proposed.
A.
The Code Enforcement Officer or his designee shall inspect on a regular basis dwellings, buildings and structures to determine whether any conditions exist which render such premises dangerous buildings within the terms of § 81-1 above.
B.
Whenever an inspection discloses that a dwelling, building
or structure has become a public nuisance, the Code Enforcement Officer or
his designee shall issue a written notice to the person or persons responsible
therefor. The notice:
(1)
Shall be in writing;
(2)
Shall include a statement of the reasons it is being
issued;
(3)
Shall state a reasonable time to rectify the conditions
constituting the nuisance or to remove and demolish the dwelling, building
or structure;
(4)
Shall be served upon the owner, or his agent, or the
occupant, as the case may require.
(a)
Except in emergency cases and where the owner, occupant,
lessee or mortgagee is absent from the township, all notices shall be deemed
to be properly served upon the owner, occupant or other person having an interest
in the dangerous building if a copy thereof is served upon him personally
or if a copy thereof is posted in a conspicuous place in or about the structure
affected by the notice, or if he is served with such notice by any other method
authorized or required under the laws of the Commonwealth.
(b)
Except emergency cases, in all other cases where the
owner, occupant, lessee or mortgagee is absent from the West Hanover Township,
all notices or orders provided for herein shall be sent by registered mail
to the owner, occupant and all other persons having an interest in said building,
as shown by the records of the County Recorder of Deeds, to the last known
address of each, and a copy of such notice shall be posted in a conspicuous
place on the dangerous building to which it relates. Such mailing and posting
shall be deemed adequate service.
(5)
May contain an outline of remedial action which, if taken,
will effect compliance with the provisions of this chapter and with the rules
and regulations adopted pursuant thereto.
C.
The enforcement officer shall appear at all hearings
conducted by the Code Enforcement Officer or his designee and testify as to
the condition of dangerous buildings.
A.
Any person affected by any notice which has been issued
in connection with the enforcement of any provision of this chapter may request
and shall be granted a hearing on the matter before the Code Enforcement Officer
or his designee, provided that such person shall file with the Code Enforcement
Officer or his designee a written petition requesting such hearing and setting
forth a brief statement of the grounds therefor within 10 days after the day
the notice was served. Upon receipt of such petition, the Code Enforcement
Officer or his designee shall set a time and place for such hearing and shall
give the petitioner written notice thereof. At such hearing the petitioner
shall be given an opportunity to be heard and to show why such notice should
be modified or withdrawn. The hearing shall be commenced not later than 20
days after the day on which the petition was filed.
B.
After such hearing the Code Enforcement Officer or his
designee shall sustain, modify or withdraw the notice. If the Code Enforcement
Officer or his designee sustains or modifies such notice, it shall be deemed
to be an order. Any notice served pursuant to this chapter shall automatically
become an order if a written petition for a hearing is not filed with the
Code Enforcement Officer or his designee within 10 days after such notice
is served.
No person shall remove or deface the notice of dangerous building, except as provided in § 81-3C.
Whenever the Code Enforcement Officer or his designee finds that an
emergency exists which requires immediate action to protect the public health,
he may, without notice or hearing, issue an order reciting the existence of
such an emergency and requiring that such action be taken as is necessary
to meet the emergency. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this chapter,
such order shall be effective immediately. Any person to whom such order is
directed shall comply therewith immediately, but upon petition to the Code
Enforcement Officer or his designee shall be afforded a hearing as soon as
possible. After such hearing, depending upon the findings as to whether the
provisions of this chapter have been complied with, the Code Enforcement Officer
or his designee shall continue such order in effect, or modify or revoke it.
The costs of such emergency repair, vacation or demolition of such dangerous
building shall be collected in the same manner as provided herein for other
cases.
If the owner, occupant, mortgagee or lessee fails to comply with the
order of the Code Enforcement Officer or his designee within the time specified
in the notice issued by the Code Enforcement Officer or his designee, the
Code Enforcement Officer or his designee shall cause such building or structure
to be repaired, vacated or demolished as the facts may warrant, under the
standards hereinbefore provided. The West Hanover Township may collect the
cost of such repair, vacation or demolition, together with a penalty of 10%
of such cost, in the manner provided by law.
[Amended 5-1-1989 by Ord.
No. 1989-4]
Any person who shall violate any provision of this chapter shall, upon
conviction thereof, be sentenced to pay a fine not exceeding $1,000. Each
day that a violation continues beyond the date fixed for compliance shall
constitute separate offense. It is further provided that, upon judgment against
any person by summary conviction, or by proceedings by summons on default
of the payment of the fine or penalty imposed and the costs, the defendant
may be sentenced and committed to the county prison for a period not exceeding
30 days.