[HISTORY: Adopted by the Municipal Council
of the Municipality of Norristown 3-15-2005 by Ord. No. 05-06.
Amendments noted where applicable.]
Municipal Council has identified that overcrowding
is often a problem in rental properties and in small single-family
dwellings. It can create serious problems; for example, disease spreads
more easily, privacy is lost, mental health is affected and buildings
are subject to more abuse and wear. Overcrowding can have a destructive
effect on a whole neighborhood if it takes place in several houses
on the same block or in several units in the same apartment building.
Reducing overcrowding will reduce related health and safety hazards.
This chapter requires all types of dwelling units to comply with the
occupancy area requirements. There is no exception for owner-occupied
houses; however, overcrowding of owner-occupied, single-family residences
requires the careful thought and judgment of the code official to
determine an appropriate course of action.
It shall be unlawful for the owner to permit overcrowded conditions in his or her dwelling. If the owner of a dwelling shall commit the aforesaid illegal conduct, the owner shall immediately be issued a citation by a representative of the Municipality of Norristown. (See definitions in § 222-4.)
If the owner of the dwelling shall be found by a court of competent jurisdiction to violate § 222-2 of this chapter, upon conviction, be sentenced to pay a fine no more than $1,000 and no less than $300 and the cost of prosecution.
As used in this chapter, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
Subsections A through G shall constitute dwellings.
SINGLE-FAMILY DETACHED DWELLINGA dwelling designed for and occupied exclusively as a residence for only one family and not attached to any other building or dwelling units.
TWO-FAMILY BUILDINGA residential building containing two dwelling units and which is not attached to any other building. A two-family building counts as two dwelling units for density purposes.
SINGLE-FAMILY SEMIDETACHED DWELLING (TWIN)A two-family building with dwelling units placed side-by-side and joined to each other by a vertical, common party wall but otherwise surrounded by yard areas. When lotted, each dwelling unit may be on a separate lot, with the common boundary between the two lots running along the common party wall. Separate ingress and egress is provided to each unit.
TWO-FAMILY DETACHED (DUPLEX)A two-family building with one dwelling unit placed above the other so that they share a common horizontal partition. When lotted, a duplex shall be entirely on one lot. Separate ingress and egress is provided to each unit.
SINGLE-FAMILY ATTACHED DWELLING UNITA dwelling unit having its own independent outside access, with no other dwelling units located directly and totally above or below it, and having party walls in common with at least one but not more than three adjacent similar dwelling units and located in a building comprised of at least three dwelling units. Each dwelling unit may be individually lotted or owned as a condominium. This dwelling type shall include but not be limited to dwelling units commonly known as "townhouses," "rowhouses," "triplexes," "quadruplexes," and "multiplexes."
TOWNHOUSE (ROWHOUSE)A single-family attached dwelling in a row of at least three units, with one dwelling unit from ground to roof, with individual outside access. Although these units are in rows, their design should deemphasize a lined-up appearance.
A detached residential building containing three
or more dwelling units. Units may be arranged entirely in vertical
rows (like townhouses) and are generally located entirely above or
below one another. Units may share outside access and/or internal
hallways, lobbies and similar facilities. The dwelling units cannot
be individually lotted, but instead share the lot or tract on which
the building containing them is located. The development is usually
under one operating unit, as a rental or condominium development.
This dwelling type includes but is not limited
to low-rise, mid-rise and high-rise apartments and multifamily conversions
as defined below.
LOW-RISE APARTMENTAn apartment building not exceeding three stories and 36 feet in height, also known as a "garden apartment."
MID-RISE APARTMENTAn apartment building exceeding three stories and 36 feet in height but not exceeding six stories and 72 feet in height.
HIGH-RISE APARTMENTAn apartment building exceeding six stories and 72 feet in height but not exceeding 10 stories and 120 feet in height.
MULTIFAMILY CONVERSIONA multifamily dwelling, containing not more than four units, that results from the conversion of a single-family or two-family dwelling, also known as a "converted apartment building."
Any human being that sleeps on the premises. This definition
is solely used in context of this chapter and is not meant to be used
to apply to any other laws created by the Municipality of Norristown.
[Amended 6-3-2008 by Ord. No. 08-16]
Dwelling units shall not exceed the below stated occupancy
level or fail to meet minimum square footage requirements outlined
below (Subsections A through E); if they do so exceed the occupancy
level or minimum square footage, that dwelling shall be considered
overcrowded:
Sleeping (bedroom) space shall be at least 70
square feet for a mom occupied by one person and 50 square feet per
person is required for a room occupied by more than one person.
A living room shall not be required if there
are only one or two occupants per dwelling or apartment. If there
are three to five occupants in a dwelling or an apartment there must
be at least 120 square feet allocated for a living room. If there
are six or more occupants in a dwelling at least 150 square feet must
be allocated for a living room.
A dining room shall not be required if there
are only one or two occupants per dwelling or apartment. If there
are three to five occupants in a dwelling or apartment there must
be at least 80 square feet allocated for a dining room. If there are
six or more occupants at least 100 square feet must be allocated for
a dining room.
A bathroom/personal hygiene room shall be required
per each dwelling or apartment. If there are six or more occupants,
at least two bathrooms shall be provided in each dwelling or apartment.
A bathroom is defined by the 2003 International Property Maintenance
Code as a room containing, plumbing fixtures including a bathroom
or shower.
