A.
Scope. The provisions of this article shall govern
the minimum conditions and standards for maintenance of structures
and exterior property.
B.
Responsibility. The owner of the premises shall maintain
the structures and exterior property in compliance with these requirements.
A person shall not occupy or permit another person to occupy or use
premises that do not comply with the requirements of this article.
C.
Vacant structures and land. All vacant structures
and premises thereof or vacant land shall be maintained in a clean,
safe and sanitary condition as provided herein so as not to cause
a blighting problem or adversely affect the public health or safety.
A.
Sanitation. All exterior property and premises shall
be maintained clean, safe, sanitary and free from any accumulation
of rubbish or garbage.
B.
Grading and drainage. All premises shall be graded
and maintained to prevent the accumulation of stagnant water thereon,
or within any structure located thereon. Exception: water retention
areas and/or reservoirs approved by the Code Official.
C.
Rodent harborage. All structures and exterior property
shall be kept free from rodent infestation. Where rodents are found,
they shall be promptly exterminated by approved processes that will
not be injurious to human health. After extermination, proper precautions
shall be taken to prevent reinfestation.
D.
Exhaust vents. Pipes, ducts, conductors, fans, clothes
dryers or blowers shall not discharge gases, steam, vapor, hot air,
grease, smoke, odors or other gaseous or particulate wastes directly
upon abutting or adjacent public or private property or that of another
tenant.
E.
Accessory structures. All accessory structures, including
detached garages, fences and walls, shall be maintained, structurally
sound and in good repair.
F.
Vegetation.
[Added 3-7-2017 by Ord.
No. 2017-02-01]
(1)
All brush, shrubs, grass and trees shall be maintained so as not
to obstruct public access to sidewalks and roadways and so as not
to obstruct the necessary line of sight from any roadway. Brush, shrubs,
grass and trees shall be kept trimmed so that they do not cross the
line of the sidewalk from the ground to a height of seven feet. Poison
ivy, poison sumac and similar noxious vegetation shall be removed
from the vicinity of any public sidewalk or roadway.
(2)
Weeds. All premises and exterior property shall be maintained free
from weeds or plant growth in excess of 10 inches from the front of
the structure to the public right-of-way and side yard setback areas
as determined in the Borough's Zoning Code.[1] Weeds shall include all grasses, annual plants and vegetation,
other than trees and shrubs; but shall not include maintained cultivated
flowers and gardens.
(3)
Trees and shrubs. On-site dead and dying trees, limbs, and leaves,
or other natural growth which, by reason of rotting or deteriorating
conditions or storm damage, constitute a hazard to persons on adjacent
properties or the adjourning public rights-of-way shall be kept pruned,
trimmed, or removed to prevent such conditions. The properties on
which such natural growth is located shall be kept clean so as not
to constitute a hazard to persons in the vicinity thereof.
G.
Swimming pools. All on-site swimming pools shall be properly maintained
and secured. When a property is vacant, water in the swimming pool
must be treated or removed to prevent the pool from becoming a breeding
site for mosquitos.
[Added 3-7-2017 by Ord.
No. 2017-02-01]
H.
Prohibited conditions. The exterior of all premises shall be kept
free of the following matter, materials or conditions:
[Added 3-7-2017 by Ord.
No. 2017-02-01]
(1)
Abandoned, uncovered or structurally unsound walls, shafts, towers,
facilities for the provision of wireless communication services (including,
but not limited to, antennae, antenna support structures, telecommunications
towers, and similar appurtenances), exterior cellar openings, basement
hatchways, foundations, or excavations.
[Amended 6-15-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-11]
(2)
Abandoned iceboxes/freezers, refrigerators, heaters, television sets
and other similar major appliances.
(3)
Animal excrement.
(4)
Hidden or uncovered ground or surface hazards, such as holes, sudden
depressions, sharp or jagged projections or obstructions.
(5)
Buried rubble, refuse or rubbish.
(6)
Vehicles or parts thereof, including boats and trailers, motorized
or not, licensed or unlicensed, registered or unregistered, which
vehicles or parts thereof are or have been junked, abandoned, dismantled
or are in a state of disrepair.
(7)
Dangerously loose and overhanging objects, including, but not limited
to, dead trees or tree limbs, accumulations of snow, ice or any object,
natural or man-made, which could threaten the health and safety of
persons if caused to fall or other similar dangerously loose and overhanging
objects, which, by reason of their location above ground level, constitute
an actual hazard to persons or vehicles in the vicinity thereof.
(8)
Structurally unsound, loose, dangerous, crumbling, missing, broken,
rotten or unsafe exterior portions of buildings or structures, including
but not limited to porches, landings, balconies, stairways, handrails,
steps, walls, overhangs, roofs, fences, supporting members, timbers,
abutments, fire escapes, signs or loose, crumbling or falling bricks,
stones, mortar or plaster.
(9)
Exterior surfaces or parts of buildings or structures containing
sharp, rough or projecting surfaces or objects which might cause injury
to persons coming in contact therewith.
(10)
Broken glass or windows or rotted, missing or substantially
destroyed window frames and sashes, door frames, exterior doors or
other major exterior component parts of buildings or structures.
A.
General. The exterior of a structure shall be maintained
in good repair, structurally sound and sanitary so as not to pose
a threat to the public health, safety or welfare.
B.
Street numbers. Each building to which a street number
has been assigned shall have such number displayed in a position easily
observed and readable from the public right-of-way. All numbers shall
be in Arabic numerals at least three inches high and one-half-inch
stroke.
C.
Structural members. All structural members shall be
maintained free of deterioration and capable of safely bearing the
imposed dead and live loads.
D.
Foundation walls. All foundation walls shall be maintained
plumb and free from open cracks and breaks and shall be kept in such
condition so as to prevent the entry of rats.
E.
Exterior walls. All exterior walls shall be free of
holes, breaks, loose or rotting materials, and maintained, weatherproof
and properly surface-coated where required to prevent deterioration.
F.
Roofs and drainage. The roof and flashing shall be
sound, tight and not have defects that might admit rain. Roof drainage
shall be adequate to prevent dampness or deterioration in the walls
or interior portion of the building. Roof water shall not be discharged
in a manner that creates a public nuisance. Gutters and leaders shall
be free of leaks, properly pitched and kept free of obstruction to
the flow of rainwater. Pitched slate and metal roofs shall incorporate
structures or devices to prevent the sudden release of ice, which
might fall to the ground.
G.
Decorative features. All cornices, belt course, corbels,
terra cotta trip, wall facings and similar decorative features shall
be maintained in good repair and proper anchorage and in a safe condition.
H.
Overhung extensions. All canopies, marquees, signs,
metal awnings, stairways, decks, porches, balconies, fire escapes,
standpipes, exhaust ducts and similar overhang extensions shall be
maintained in good repair and be properly anchored so as to be kept
in a safe and sound condition. When required, all exposed surfaces
of metal or wood shall be protected from the elements and against
decay or rust by periodic application of weather-coating materials,
such as paint or similar surface treatment.
I.
Chimneys and towers. All chimneys, cooling towers,
smokestacks, facilities for the provision of wireless communication
services, including, but not limited to, antennas, antenna support
structures, telecommunications towers and similar appurtenances shall
be maintained structurally safe, sound and in good repair. All exposed
surfaces of metal or wood shall be protected from the elements and
against decay or rust by periodic application of weather-coating materials,
such as paint or similar surface treatment.
[Amended 6-15-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-11]
J.
Window and doorframes. Every window, door and frame
shall be kept in sound condition, good repair and weathertight.
K.
Glazing. All glazing materials shall be maintained
free of cracks and holes and shall be firmly mounted and sealed so
as to prevent infiltration of air.
L.
Operable windows. Every window, other than a fixed
window, shall be easily operable and capable of being held in position
by window hardware.
M.
Insect screens. During the period from May 1 to Oct.
1, every door, window and other outside opening used or required for
ventilation purposes serving any building containing habitable rooms,
food preparation areas, food service areas, or any areas where products
used in food for human consumption are processed, manufactured, packaged
or stored, shall be supplied with approved tightly fitting screens
of not less than 16 mesh-per-inch and every swinging door with insect
screens shall have a self-closing device in good working condition.
N.
Doors. All exterior doors and hardware shall be maintained
in good condition. Locks at all entrances to dwelling units, rooming
units and guestrooms shall be freely operable and shall tightly secure
the door.
O.
Basement hatchways. Every basement hatchway shall
be maintained to prevent the entrance of rodents, rain, and surface
drainage water.
P.
Guards for basement windows. Every basement window
which is operable shall be supplied with a rat-proof shield, storm
windows or other approved protection against the entry of rats.
Q.
The owner of every facility for the provision of wireless communication
services (including, but not limited to, antennas, antenna support
structures, telecommunications towers, and similar appurtenances)
within the Borough shall annually notify the Borough Code Enforcement
Officer of the number of users or carriers of the facility. Installations
and equipment associated with the facility which is not operated for
communication purposes for a period of six months shall be considered
abandoned and shall be removed by the owner, at the owner's expense.
This removal shall occur within 90 days at the end of such six-month
period of inactivity. If such installation is not removed within the ninety-day
period, the Borough may remove the tower and its structures at the
facility owner's expense. If the installation is to be retained, the
facility owner shall provide proof that the installation will be reused
within one year of such discontinuation. If the installation and equipment
is not used within one year, a demolition permit shall be obtained,
and installation and equipment removed. Upon removal, the site shall
be cleaned, cleared, restored, and landscaped to pre-construction
conditions.
[Added 6-15-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-11]
A.
General. The interior of a structure and equipment
and fixtures therein shall be maintained in good repair, structurally
sound and in a sanitary condition.
B.
Structural members. The supporting members of every
building shall be maintained structurally sound and capable of carrying
the imposed loads.
C.
Interior surfaces. All interior surfaces, including
windows and doors, shall be maintained in good, clean and sanitary
condition. Peeling paint, cracked or loose plaster, decayed wood,
and other defective surface conditions shall be corrected.
D.
Lead-based paint. Interior and exterior painted surfaces
of dwellings, child and day-care facilities, including fences and
outbuildings, which contain in excess of 0.06% lead by weight, shall
be removed or covered in an approved manner. Any surface to be covered
shall first be marked with warnings as to the lead content of such
surface.
E.
Accumulation of rubbish or garbage. The interior of
every structure shall be free from any accumulation of rubbish or
garbage.
F.
Insect and rodent harborage. All structures shall
be kept free from insect and rodent infestation. All structures in
which insects or rodents are found shall be promptly exterminated
by approved processes that will not be injurious to human health.
After extermination, proper precautions shall be taken to prevent
reinfestation.
G.
Stairs and railings. All interior stairs and railings
shall be maintained in sound condition and good repair.
