[Adopted 1-4-1993 by Ord. No. 93-01; amended
in its entirety 9-9-2002 by Ord. No. 2002-24]
As used in this article, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated unless otherwise expressly stated.
DEPARTMENT
The Department of Community Development.
DIRECTOR
The Director of Community Development or authorized designee.
ENGINEER
The Township Engineer or authorized designee.
PROPERTY
Any residential or nonresidential building or condominium
unit for occupancy or use.
This article shall apply to property within
the Township transferred by title, deed or other legal means.
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.
Certificates of use and occupancy for the transfer
of property shall be issued in accordance with the following procedures:
A. 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.
B. 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]
C. 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.
D. 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.
E. 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.
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.