The Board of Commissioners of the Township of Marple shall appoint a
Director of Code Enforcement and such deputies and assistants as are necessary
to enforce the provisions of this chapter. In order to determine compliance
with and enforce the provisions of this chapter, the following shall apply.
The Code Enforcement Officer or his agents are hereby authorized and
directed to make inspections of the conditions of all structures located in
the Township of Marple. Upon display of proper identification, the inspector
is authorized to enter, examine and survey such units and premises on weekdays
between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. or at such other time as may be necessary
in an emergency or as mutually agreed upon by the occupant and the Code Enforcement
Officer or one of his agents.
Every occupant of a building or building unit shall grant to the owner,
or his agents or employees, free access to it at reasonable times for the
purpose of making repairs or alterations to effect compliance with this chapter.
A.Â
When the Code Enforcement Officer determines that there
exists a violation of any provision of this chapter, he shall serve written
notice of such violation to the person or persons responsible therefor, as
hereinafter provided.
B.Â
Such notice shall:
(1)Â
Be put in writing.
(2)Â
Include a statement of the reasons why it is being issued.
(3)Â
Allow a reasonable time for the performance of any act
it requires.
(4)Â
Be served upon the owner or his agent, or the occupant,
as the case may require, provided that such notice shall be deemed to be properly
served upon such person if a copy thereof is sent by registered or certified
mail to his last known address, or if he is served by any other method authorized
or required under the laws of this state.
C.Â
Such notice may contain an outline of remedial action
which, if taken, will effect compliance with the provisions of this chapter
and with rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto.
Whenever the Code Enforcement Officer finds that there exists any violation
of this chapter which creates an emergency requiring immediate correction
to protect the health or safety of any occupant of a building or the public,
he may issue an order reciting the existence of such an emergency and requiring
that such action be taken as he deems necessary to meet the emergency.
A.Â
Whenever the Code Enforcement Officer finds that a building constitutes a serious hazard to the health or safety of the occupants or to the public because it is dilapidated, unsanitary, vermin-infested, rodent-infested or lacking in basic facilities and equipment required by this chapter, he shall designate such building as unfit for human occupancy. Such designation shall be posted on the building and shall specify the reason for such a finding. A notice of violation shall also be served in accordance with the provisions of § 114-47. Any dwelling so designated shall be vacated within a reasonable time as specified by the Code Enforcement Officer and shall not again be used for human occupancy until the hazard or violation has been eliminated or corrected and the Code Enforcement Officer has removed the designation and given written approval for occupancy.
