Township of Radnor, PA Certificates of Occupancy

No existing property as defined by this article shall be occupied or used by a new owner as a result of a transfer by title, deed or other legal means until a certificate of use and occupancy has been issued by the Director of Community Development.

§ 142-4 Application for certificate; procedure; fee.

Certificates of use and occupancy for the transfer of property shall be issued in accordance with the following procedures:

Application. Applications for a certificate of use and occupancy shall be filed with the Director by the seller of the property not later than 30 days prior to settlement. If the settlement is scheduled for less than 30 days after the execution of the agreement of sale between the buyer and seller, the certificate of use and occupancy application shall be submitted not less than 14 days prior to settlement. Applications shall contain such information as the Township may require. A fee in the amount of $100 shall accompany the application.

Inspection.

(1)

Upon receipt of completed application, the Director or Engineer shall, within five business days, conduct an inspection of the property to determine compliance with the following requirements:

(a)

House or building numbers.

[1]

House or building numbers shall be clearly visible from the street on which the number is assigned.

[2]

Shall be at least three inches high and of proportional width, except when mounted on the mailbox at the curb, in which case the numbers shall be at least 1 1/2 inches in height.

[3]

Shall be of a color which contrast with the background.

[4]

Shall be displayed in such a manner as to avoid confusion regarding which building or unit is being identified.

(b)

Sidewalks.

[1]

Maintenance of public sidewalks shall be in accordance with Article IV of Chapter 250, Streets and Sidewalks, of the Code of the Township of Radnor. Sidewalks which abut the property shall be kept in good repair and in a safe condition for public use. Sidewalks with a horizontal crack or a difference of elevation of more than 1/2 inch shall be deemed not in a safe condition and shall be replaced upon the issuance of a permit by the Township Engineer.

(c)

Sanitary sewer connections. An interior and exterior inspection of the sanitary sewer system shall be required to identify any unlawful connections to the system. The seller or agent of the seller shall contact the Sanitary Sewer Maintenance Division of the Public Works Department of the Township to arrange for said inspection of the property immediately following the submittal of the application for the certificate of occupancy.

[Added 9-22-2008 by Ord. No. 2008-11]

(2)

If a violation is determined during the inspection, the seller shall be mailed a notice within three business days of the inspection, which shall clearly describe the violation and remedial action required for compliance.

[Amended 9-22-2008 by Ord. No. 2008-11]

Reinspection. Upon correction of any violation or violations, the applicant shall notify the Director, in writing, for a reinspection, which shall be conducted within five business days from receipt of said letter.

[Amended 9-22-2008 by Ord. No. 2008-11]

(1)

Where it is determined by the Township that, due to unique circumstances or weather conditions, sidewalks cannot be replaced or repaired to comply with Township standards or house numbers cannot be installed, the Township shall establish a dollar value to complete the work necessary to comply with the terms of this article, which shall be escrowed by the seller with the Township of Radnor on behalf of the buyer.

Certification statement.

(1)

Prior to the issuance of a certificate of use and occupancy. the Township shall be in receipt of a statement, signed by the sellers certifying compliance with, and signed by the purchasers acknowledging an understanding of, the following provisions of the Township Code:

(a)

Within residential occupancies. smoke detectors are installed in each sleeping area, outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms, and on each additional story of the dwelling, including basements and cellars, but not including crawl spaces and uninhabitable attics.

(b)

All sump pump(s) or other devices which discharge drainage resulting from rainwater, springs, wells or other groundwater have been disconnected from the sanitary sewer system in accordance with Chapter 235, Sewers, of the Township Code.

(2)

The certification statement shall be on forms provided by the Township and shall contain such information as the Township may require.

Upon determining that the property complies with the full provisions of this article, a certificate of occupancy shall be issued by the Director. Such certificate shall be valid for a period of 12 months from the date of issuance.

§ 142-5 Violations and penalties.

Any person who fails to secure a certificate of use and occupancy as required by this article shall be guilty of an offense and, upon conviction thereof by a District Justice, be sentenced to pay a fine of not less $300 and not more than $1,000, plus costs. Each day that a violation continues shall be deemed a separate offense.