[Adopted 3-13-1996 as Ord. No. 45-1996]
The purposes of this Article are to:
A. 
Protect those areas of the City of Scranton which are of historic, architectural, cultural, archaeological, educational and aesthetic merit to the City of Scranton, the state and the nation.
B. 
Awaken, in our people, an interest in our historic past.
C. 
Promote the use and reuse of the areas of the City of Scranton for the culture, education, health, pleasure and the general welfare of the people of the City of Scranton, the state and the nation.
D. 
Strengthen the economy of the City of Scranton by stabilizing and improving property values.
E. 
Encourage new buildings and developments that will be compatible with existing historic and architecturally significant buildings and districts.
The Commission for Architectural and Urban Design Review shall recommend the designation of Historic Districts or landmarks and shall perform certain procedures relating to the issuance of permits for the alteration, construction, erection, reconstruction, restoration, demolition or razing of any building or structure, in whole or in part, located in an historic district or landmark within the City of Scranton.
A. 
For the purposes of this Article, all words used in the present tense include the future tense. All words in the plural number include the singular number and all words in the singular number include the plural number, unless the natural construction of the word clearly indicates otherwise. The word "shall" is mandatory and not directory.
B. 
As used in this Article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ALTERATION
Any change, modification or addition to a part of or all of the exterior of any building or structure, which is visible from a public street or way.
APPLICANT
One who applies for a certificate of appropriateness.
APPLICATION
A request for permission to alter, reconstruct, repair, restore, demolish or raze all or part of a landmark; or construct, alter, reconstruct, repair, restore, demolish or raze all or part of any building or structure located in an historic district or landmark. An application shall contain the information and documentation required for the scope of the proposed work. (Refer to § 18-44 regarding exception for interior alterations or modifications).
BUILDING
Any enclosed or open structure which is a combination of materials to form a construction for occupancy and/or use, including mobile homes and trailers, to be used for any reason whatsoever.
BUILDING CODE OFFICIAL
The Building Code Official, or his designee, for the City of Scranton.
BUILDING PERMIT
Any approval statement issued by the Building Code Official, or his designee, authorizing the construction, alteration, reconstruction, repair, restoration, demolition or razing of all or part of any building or structure.
BUILDING PERMIT APPLICATION
The request filed by any person with the Building Code Official that seeks authorization to construct, alter, reconstruct, repair, restore, demolish or raze all or part of any building or structure.
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
The approval statement, which certifies the appropriateness of an applicant's request to construct, alter, reconstruct, repair, restore, demolish, raze, sandblast and/or chemically clean the exterior of all or part of any building or structure located in an historic district or landmark.
CERTIFICATE OF ECONOMIC HARDSHIP
The approval statement wherein the applicant's request to perform specific work on a building or structure located in an historic district or certified as a landmark is permitted after consideration of the financial concerns and limitations of the applicant are set, made known and accepted with or without modification.
CITY
The City of Scranton.
CITY CLERK
The Clerk of the City of Scranton.
CITY COUNCIL
The legislative branch of the governing body of the City of Scranton.
CITY ENGINEER
The licensed, registered professional engineer, employed by the City of Scranton, whose duties include, but are not limited to ensuring that buildings and structures are structurally safe and fit for habitation or their intended use.
CITY SOLICITOR
The legal representative of and for the City of Scranton.
COMMISSION
The Commission for Architectural and Urban Design Review created through the enactment of this Article and governed by the provisions contained herein.
COMMONWEALTH
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
CONSTRUCTION
Any and all work necessary for the erection, alteration, reconstruction, repair or restoration of any building or structure from a combination of materials.
DEMOLITION
The dismantling or tearing down of all or part of any building or structure.
GOVERNING BODY
The Mayor and Council of the City of Scranton.
HISTORIC DISTRICT
The geographic areas delineated in accordance with the provisions of this Article possessing a significant concentration, linkage or continuity of buildings, structures, sites or objects united by past events, plan or physical development which contain historical, architectural, cultural, archaeological, educational or aesthetic merit. An historic district may comprise an individual site or individual elements separated geographically but linked by association, plan, design or history.
HISTORIC DISTRICT MAP
The official map adopted by the governing body of the City of Scranton which shall be filed of record in the Office of the City Clerk.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER
The City employee who shall provide technical assistance to the Commission for Architectural and Urban Design Review including, but not limited to reviewing all applications for certificates of appropriateness, attending all meetings of the Commission and, in conjunction with the Superintendent of Building Inspection and the Council of the City of Scranton, ensure that the purposes of this Article and the decisions of the Commission are adhered to.
INCENTIVE PLAN
A coordinated effort wherein federal, state and local agencies provide funds for the preservation of a structure which has been determined to be located within the historic district or certified as a landmark.
LANDMARK
An individual site, element or building which demonstrates historical, architectural, cultural, archaeological, educational or aesthetic merit.
MAYOR
The chief executive of the City of Scranton.
NATION
The United States of America.
PERMANENT SITE FURNISHINGS
Objects or equipment serving a particular site that are intended to last indefinitely; e.g, outdoor lighting, flagpoles, benches, statues, fountains, etc.
PRESERVATION
The act or process of applying measures necessary to sustain the existing form, integrity and materials of an historic property. Work, including preliminary measures to protect and stabilize the property, generally focuses upon the ongoing maintenance and repair of historic materials and features rather than extensive replacement and new construction.
PUBLIC STREET OR WAY
Any land dedicated to public use or passage including, but not limited to streets, alleys, parks, pedestrian rights-of-way, whether constructed, dedicated or proposed.
RECONSTRUCTION
The act or process of accurately depicting, by means of new construction, the form, features and detailing of a nonsurviving site, landscape, building, structure or object for the purpose of replicating its appearance at a specific period of time and in its historic location.
REHABILITATION
The act or process of making possible a compatible use for a property through repair, alterations and additions while preserving those portions or features which convey its historical, cultural or architectural values. NOTE: The limited and sensitive upgrading of mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems and code-required work to make properties functional is appropriate within restoration, preservation and rehabilitation projects.
REPAIRS
Any and all work involving the replacement of existing work with equivalent material for the purpose of maintenance, but not including any addition, change or modification in construction.
REPLICATE
To make an exact copy; duplicate.
RESTORATION
The act or process of accurately depicting the form, features and character of a property as it appeared at a particular period of time by means of the removal of features from other periods in its history and reconstruction of missing features from the restoration period.
SIGN
Any device, structure or object for visual communication, including its structure and component parts, that is used for the purpose of bringing the subject thereof to the attention of people, but not including any cloth flag of any public, quasi-public, civic, charitable or religious group.
STATE
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
STRUCTURE
Any constructed, erected or placed material, or combination of materials, in or upon the ground including, but not limited to buildings, mobile homes, permanent site furnishings, radio towers, sheds, signs and works of art.
WORK OF ART
The term work of art, as used in this Article, shall apply to and include all mural decorations, statues, bas-reliefs, sculptures, monuments, fountains, arches, ornamental gateways and other structures of a permanent character, intended for ornament or commemoration.
[Amended 12-16-2025 by Ord. No. 109-2025]
A. 
Appointment of Historical Architectural Review Board. There shall be a Historical Architectural Review Board (HARB), whose members shall be appointed by the Mayor, with the advice and consent of City Council.
B. 
Membership.
(1) 
The Board shall be composed of five residents of the City of Scranton with knowledge of and interest in the preservation of historic districts.
(2) 
The Mayor, at their discretion, may appoint, with the advice and consent of City Council, two alternate members (a first alternate and a second alternate) to be activated by the chair of the Board in the event of an absence or conflict on the part of a member. The alternate members, if appointed, shall be residents of the City of Scranton with knowledge of and interest in the preservation of historic districts.
(3) 
Members and alternate members of the Board shall serve for a period of five years. The terms of those members initially appointed shall be staggered so that no more than one term expires in any one year. The terms of those alternate members initially appointed shall be staggered so that no two alternate members' terms expire in the same calendar year. Qualified replacements shall be appointed by the Mayor, with the approval of City Council.
(4) 
A majority of the Board shall constitute a quorum and action taken at any meeting shall require the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board.
(5) 
The Chair of the Board shall notify the Mayor of any vacancy of an unexpired term, and the Mayor, with the approval of City Council, shall fill such vacancy for remainder of such unexpired term.
(6) 
Members shall serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for any personal expenditure in the conduct of Board business. Municipal staff, consultants, or contractors may be compensated for appointed service as part of their normal job functions.
(7) 
Any member or alternate member may be removed by the Mayor for an unexcused absence from more than three consecutive meetings, or for malfeasance, misfeasance, or nonfeasance in office.
C. 
Organization and conduct of business.
(1) 
The Board shall annually elect from its own membership a Chair, Vice Chair, and such other officers as may be required for the conduct of its business.
(2) 
The Board shall develop bylaws and rules of procedure governing its organization and conduct. Such bylaws and rules shall be consistent with the ordinances of the City of Scranton and laws and regulations of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
(3) 
The Board may develop and require submission of forms to facilitate the fulfillment of its responsibilities under this article in consultation with municipal staff.
A. 
Advice to the governing body of the City of Scranton. The Commission shall recommend to the governing body of the City of Scranton whether an application for a certificate of appropriateness should be approved. The Commission shall also recommend the designation of landmarks and historic districts to the governing body of the City of Scranton.
B. 
Use of criteria. The criteria to be used by the Commission in making its reports/recommendations to the governing body of the City of Scranton concerning the issuance of certificates of appropriateness shall include the effect of the proposed change upon each of the following:
(1) 
The broad historical values representing the cultural, political, economical or social history of the City of Scranton.
(2) 
The relationship of the structure to historic personage or events.
(3) 
The specimen architectural types representative of a certain period, style or method of construction.
(4) 
The general historical and architectural nature of the landmark or historic district or of other buildings and structures in the immediate proximity.
(5) 
The appropriateness of exterior architectural features which can be seen from a public street or way.
(6) 
The general design, arrangement, texture, material and color of the building, structure or landmark and the relationship of such factors to similar features of adjacent buildings and structures in the historic district or the immediate vicinity.
A. 
Designation of landmarks and the creation of historic districts. The Commission shall prepare, in accordance with the criteria set forth in Subsection B of this section, recommendations for consideration by the governing body of the City of Scranton of those buildings, structures, sites, objects or areas to be designated as landmarks or included in an historic district or historic districts. After receipt of the recommendations of the Commission, the governing body of the City of Scranton may, after notice to all affected property owners and the opportunity for all affected property owners to be present at a hearing to designate any building or structure as a landmark or determine the boundaries of any historic district, consider for adoption an Ordinance which shall designate landmarks and shall define, in accordance with the criteria set forth in Subsection B of this section, the boundaries of the historic district or historic districts. All landmarks and individual sites or areas included within an historic district or historic districts shall be placed on the Historic District Map and kept on file in the Office of the City Clerk.
B. 
Criteria for designation of a landmark or an historic district. A building, complex of buildings, structure, site, object or area may be designated a landmark or an historic district if it:
(1) 
Has significant character, interest or value as part of the development, heritage or cultural characteristics of the City, commonwealth or nation, or is associated with the life of a person significant in the past.
(2) 
Is associated with an event of importance to the history of the City, commonwealth or nation.
(3) 
Reflects the built environment of an era characterized by a distinctive architectural style.
(4) 
Embodies distinguishing characteristics of an architectural style, or engineering specimen.
(5) 
Is the work of a designer, architect, landscape architect or engineer whose work has significantly influenced the historical, architectural, economic, social or cultural development of the City, commonwealth or nation.
(6) 
Contains elements of design, detail, materials or craftsmanship which represent a significant innovation.
(7) 
Is part of or related to a square block or other distinctive area which should be preserved according to an historic, cultural or architectural motif.
(8) 
Owing to its unique location or singular physical characteristic, represents an established and familiar visual feature of the neighborhood, community or City.
(9) 
Has yielded, or may be likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history.
(10) 
Exemplifies the cultural, political, religious, ethnic, economic, social or historical heritage of the community.
C. 
Review and amendment of the Historic District Map. The Commission shall, upon the written request of a resident of the City of Scranton, or at least once every five (5) years, review the boundaries of the Historic District Map to ensure the appropriateness of an historic district or historic districts included therein, in accordance with the criteria contained in § 18-53B. Any recommendations for amendments to the Historic District Map may be acted upon by the governing body of the City of Scranton in accordance with the procedure contained in § 18-43A.
D. 
Recommendations concerning moneys for historic preservation.
(1) 
The Commission shall make recommendations to the governing body of the City of Scranton concerning the creation of economic incentives and the use of grants, gifts and budgetary appropriations to promote the preservation of buildings, structures, sites, objects or districts of historic importance to the City.
(2) 
With the prior approval of the governing body of the City of Scranton, the Commission may prepare grant applications and submit proposals to appropriate funding agencies, in order to promote the preservation of buildings, structures, sites, objects or districts of historic importance to the City.
E. 
Recommendations regarding historic preservation action by the City of Scranton. The Commission may make recommendations to the governing body of the City of Scranton that the City purchase any building, structure, site or object of historic significance where private preservation is not feasible or that the City acquire facade easements, development rights or any other property interests that would promote historic preservation.
F. 
Promotion of increased public awareness. The Commission may develop educational programs or publicity aimed at increasing public awareness of the value of architectural, cultural and historic preservation.
G. 
Incentive plan. The purpose of an incentive plan is to provide a mechanism to allow a reasonable use without the demolition of the complete building or structure or its important architectural elements. The Commission, in cooperation with other City agencies and departments, and the property owner may prepare a report and recommend to the governing body of the City of Scranton an incentive plan to assure reasonable use of the building or structure. The incentive plan may include, but not be limited to loans or grants from the City of Scranton or other public or private sources, acquisition by purchase or eminent domain, building and safety code modifications to reduce the cost of maintenance, restoration, rehabilitation or renovation, changes in applicable zoning regulations, including a transfer of development rights or waiver of the provisions of this Article sufficient to allow reasonable use of the building or structure.
H. 
Governing body consideration of incentive plan.
(1) 
Upon receipt of a report from the Commission recommending an incentive plan to assure reasonable use of a property, the governing body of the City of Scranton shall give prompt consideration to the determination of economic hardship and the report of the Commission, including the recommended incentive plan. The governing body of the City of Scranton shall approve, or disapprove, the Commission's recommended incentive plan to allow reasonable use of the building or structure within ninety (90) days immediately following the Commission's report.
(2) 
If approved by the governing body of the City of Scranton, the City Clerk shall mail a copy of the legislative approval (and incentive plan) to the property owner within five (5) days following enactment of the legislation; the City Clerk will also provide copies to the Commission and other appropriate City agencies and departments.
I. 
Issuance of certificate of economic hardship by the commission.
(1) 
Upon receipt of a copy of the governing body's action authorizing an incentive plan for an applicant's building or structure, the Commission shall in accordance with the authorizing legislation, issue a certificate of economic hardship within thirty (30) days. The certificate of economic hardship may be subject to conditions including design guidelines for subsequent construction not inconsistent with the standards set forth by the Secretary of the Interior's guidelines for the rehabilitation of historic buildings. The certificate, and any applicable conditions, shall be mailed to the applicant within five (5) days of its issuance. The certificate of economic hardship shall be valid for a period of one hundred eighty (180) days from its date of issue. Certificates of economic hardship shall not be transferable from the applicant to another subsequent owner of the same property.
(2) 
Upon presentation by the applicant of a valid certificate of economic hardship, the Building Code Official shall issue a certificate of appropriateness to the applicant within five (5) days, which will enable the applicant to apply for a building permit from the City of Scranton.
No person shall reconstruct, alter, repair, restore, demolish, raze, sandblast or chemically clean, in whole or in part, any landmark or erect, construct, reconstruct, alter, repair, restore, demolish, raze, sandblast or chemically clean, in whole or in part, except for interior alterations, demolition of partitions or interior modifications, any building or structure located within an historic district, without first obtaining a certificate of appropriateness. A certificate of appropriateness shall be required not only for work which would require a building permit according to the currently enacted Building Code[1] of the City of Scranton, but also for all work affecting general design, arrangement, texture and material, which can be seen from a public street having a minimum legal right-of-way of thirty-three (33) feet including utility installations or other public improvements. This includes, but is not limited to the following:
A. 
Sandblasting.
B. 
Chemical cleaning.
C. 
Stucco, or other applied textures.
D. 
Replacement or major repair of windows, cornices, trim or other nonstructural elements.
E. 
Signs required to have a permit under the Chapter 445, Zoning.
F. 
Other work affecting the visual appearance of the structure as defined in this section.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 187, Building Construction, Art. I.
A. 
Issuance of permits.
(1) 
The Building Code Official shall be responsible for the issuance of permits for any work that would affect the general design, arrangement, texture or material of any landmark or any building or structure in any historic district, when the results of such work are capable of being viewed from a public street having a minimum legal right-of-way of thirty-three (33) feet. Permits shall be required for such work, even if a permit is not required according to the currently enacted Building Code of the City of Scranton. This includes, but is not limited to the following:
(a) 
Sandblasting.
(b) 
Chemical cleaning.
(c) 
Stucco or other applied textures.
(d) 
Replacement or major repair of windows, cornices, trim or other nonstructural elements.
(e) 
Signs.
(f) 
Other work affecting the visual appearance of the building or structure as defined in this section.
(2) 
No such permit shall be issued by the Building Code Official until a Certificate of Appropriateness has been issued.
B. 
Conduct of office. Upon receipt of an application for a permit for work to be done pursuant to this Article on a landmark or in any historic district, the City of Scranton Building Code Official shall notify the Historic Preservation Officer and shall act in accordance with the following requirements:
(1) 
The City of Scranton shall forward, within three (3) working days, to the Commission, a copy of the application containing the information and documentation required for the scope of the proposed work.
(2) 
The City of Scranton Building Code Official shall maintain a record of all such applications. The record shall include details of the handling and disposition of the same and shall be in addition to, and appropriately cross-referenced to, other building inspection records.
(3) 
The City of Scranton Building Code Official shall require applicants to submit an original and no more than three (3) copies of the application and information/documentation required for the scope of the proposed work to allow compliance with the foregoing.
(4) 
Upon receipt of the decision of the governing body of the City of Scranton on the application, the Building Code Official shall approve (or disapprove) the permit in accordance with the decision of the governing body of the City of Scranton, and shall so notify the applicant.
(5) 
The City of Scranton Building Code Official shall institute any proceeding at law or in equity necessary for the enforcement of this Article in the same manner as in the enforcement of the Building Code of the City of Scranton.
C. 
Hazardous buildings or structures. In the event that the application involves a building or structure which presents a clear and present danger to the public, or if said building or structure has been rendered unfit for habitation because of fire, explosion or other similar cause, the terms of this Article may be waived to the extent that the applicant can proceed to render the subject property safe under the terms of the Building Code of the City of Scranton. If the property cannot be made safe and the City Engineer after a survey certifies that there is a clear and present danger to the public if the building structure is allowed to stand, then the building or structure may be demolished. However, any other changes made to the subject property must be approved, finally, under the terms of this Article.
[Amended 11-25-2019 by Ord. No. 76-2019; 12-16-2025 by Ord. No. 109-2025]
A. 
Application. Upon receipt by the Commission of an application for certificate of appropriateness, the Commission shall schedule a meeting to consider the advice/report which the Commission will give to the Council of the City of Scranton.
B. 
Notice. The applicant shall be given not fewer than 10 days' notice of the time and place of said meeting and shall be invited to appear to explain their reasons for the application. The applicant may waive, in writing, this notification period. If the applicant is not the owner of the property, then the owner of the property shall be given not fewer than 10 days' notice of the time and place of said meeting and shall be invited to appear.
C. 
Meeting. At the meeting, which may be at the time and place scheduled for a regularly scheduled Commission meeting, the Commission shall review the application, hear the applicant, owner or other interested person(s) and determine whether the criteria for a certificate of appropriateness have been met.
D. 
Decision.
(1) 
The Board shall notify the applicant of its decision as soon as possible, but no later than 10 days following the meeting where the application was presented.
(2) 
If the Board decides to recommend the granting of a certificate of appropriateness, the Board shall, simultaneously with notifying the applicant, submit its advice/report, in writing, to the Building Code Official for issuance of a permit.
(3) 
If the Board, on the basis of the information received at the meeting, and from its general knowledge and background information, decides to recommend a denial of the certificate of appropriateness, it shall indicate to the applicant the changes, if any, in the plans and specifications which would enable the applicant to meet the requirements of this article, and shall forward its report to the governing body of the City of Scranton. The Board shall withhold its report from the governing body of the City of Scranton for a period of five days following its notice to the applicant that the Board intends to recommend against the granting of a certificate of appropriateness. This grace period, which is intended to allow the applicant time to decide whether or not to make the suggested changes, may be extended by an additional 15 days upon written request of the applicant. At the expiration of this grace period, the Board shall forward its advice/report denying a certificate of appropriateness to the governing body of the City of Scranton, including any pertinent information regarding suggested changes to the proposed plan/application in question, and the applicant's response(s) to said suggested changes.
[Amended 11-25-2019 by Ord. No. 76-2019; 12-16-2025 by Ord. No. 109-2025]
A. 
In the event that the Board denies an application, the Board shall submit its advice/report, in writing, to the governing body of the City of Scranton within 10 days following the meeting where the application was presented unless the time limitation is waived, in writing, by the applicant. This ten-day period shall be extended, automatically, by the number of grace period days given pursuant to § 18-46. Should the Board fail to provide its advice/report to the governing body of the City of Scranton within the time limits specified herein, it shall be deemed as a matter of law that the Board has recommended that the City of Scranton issue the subject certificate of appropriateness, and the applicant may notify the Building Code Official accordingly.
B. 
Should the Board decide to deny the application, it shall provide its advice/report to the governing body of the City of Scranton; it shall be in writing; and it shall include the following:
(1) 
The exact location of the area in which the work is to be done;
(2) 
The exterior changes to be made, or the exterior character of the structure to be constructed or erected;
(3) 
A list of the surrounding structures with their general exterior characteristics and the names of their owners;
(4) 
The effect of the proposed change(s) upon the general historical and architectural nature of the area;
(5) 
The appropriateness of the exterior architectural features which can be seen from a public street or way;
(6) 
The general design, arrangement, texture, and material of the building or structure, and the relation of such factors to similar features of the buildings or structures in the area;
(7) 
The opinion of the Board (pro and con) as to the appropriateness of the work proposed as it will preserve or destroy the historical or visual aspects and nature of the area.
[Amended 11-25-2019 by Ord. No. 76-2019; 12-16-2025 by Ord. No. 109-2025]
A. 
Receipt of Board advice/report. Upon receipt of the written denial of a certificate of appropriateness and the advice/report of the Board, or, absent the Board's advice/report, the applicant's notification to the Building Code Official of the City of Scranton, the governing body of the City of Scranton shall consider within 45 working days the question of upholding or remanding the denial of the application to the Board, or absent the Board's advice/report, upholding the deemed approval.
B. 
Notice. The applicant shall be advised by the City Clerk of the City of Scranton, by certified mail, return receipt requested, of the time and place of the meeting, at which time the denial will be reviewed by City Council, and the applicant shall be advised that they have the right to attend the meeting and be heard as to their reasons for filing the application. If the applicant is not the owner of the property, then the owner shall be notified in the same manner.
C. 
Criteria and procedures. In determining whether or not to uphold the denial of a certificate of appropriateness of the proposed erection, reconstruction, alteration, restoration, demolition, or razing of all or part of any building or structure, the governing body of the City of Scranton shall consider the same factors as considered by the Board, set forth in § 18-42B of this article, as well as the advice/report of the Commission. Any hearing shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of 53 P.S. § 10908(2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (8) and (9), except that the time periods shall be those prescribed by this article.
D. 
Decision.
(1) 
If the governing body of the City of Scranton concurs with the denial of a certificate of appropriateness, it shall do so in writing, and copies shall be given to the applicant, the Board, and to the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, where applicable, by certified mail, return receipt requested. The notice, rejecting the application, shall indicate what changes, if any, in the application's plans and specifications would enable the applicant to meet the requirements of this article.
(2) 
If the governing body of the City of Scranton does not concur with the Board's denial of the certificate of appropriateness, it shall remand the matter to the Board, with an explanation for its rationale, and provide a copy its decision to the Board. Thereafter, the Board shall evaluate the governing body's recommendations and revise its decision and report accordingly.
A. 
Preservation and location of works of art. The Commission shall also consider the preservation and existing location of works of art in historic districts and may make recommendations for changes in location thereof.
B. 
Commission review of works of art. No work of art shall be erected in an historic district or placed upon any street, park, public building or structure or other property belonging to the City, until such work of art and its proposed location have been reviewed by the Commission and a course of action is recommended to the governing body of the City of Scranton. No work of art, or public building or structure in an historic district may be removed, relocated, demolished, razed or altered in any way without the recommendation of the Commission to the governing body of the City of Scranton.
C. 
Public funds. The Commission shall recommend that works of art be a part of any new construction, begun after the effective date of this Article, in an historic district which is funded with public moneys, in whole or in part, and may recommend that one percent (1%) of the total public funding of said new construction be used for works of art.
A. 
Approval of design of building, structure or site. No design for a building, bridge, approach, gate, stairs, fence, lamp, street furniture, other structure or addition which shall be erected in an historic district or upon any street or property which is owned, leased or occupied by the City, or any agency thereof shall be implemented without the recommendation of the Commission to the governing body of the City of Scranton. The Commission's recommendation shall not be binding on the governing body.
B. 
Alterations, location and demolition. No arch, bridge, approach, permanent sign or property of any person intended to extend, or extending, over or upon any City sidewalk or street, City park or property in an historic district shall be erected, altered or demolished without the recommendation of the Commission to the governing body of the City of Scranton. The Commission's recommendation shall not be binding on the governing body.
C. 
Submission and resubmission of design drawings and/or models. The Commission shall require submission of drawings and/or models of designs of municipal property located in an historic district for its approval, including materials and colors intended for exterior use. After an alteration or change in design is made upon advice from the Commission, or otherwise, the design drawings and/or models shall be resubmitted to the Commission. If the Commission recommends approval of the design to the governing body of the City of Scranton, these drawings and/or models shall be retained by the City's Building Code Official until completion of the project.
Should a dispute arise as to the boundaries of the historic district(s), the Historic District Map shall be the final authority. Where uncertainty exists as to the boundaries of an historic district, the following rules shall apply:
A. 
Where historic district boundaries are indicated as approximately following the center line or street line of streets or center line or alley line of alleys, such boundaries shall be construed to extend to the center lines of said streets or alleys.
B. 
Where historic district boundaries are so indicated that they are approximately parallel to the street lines, the alley lines of alleys, or the limits of rights-of-way, such boundaries shall be construed as being parallel thereto and at such distance therefrom as indicated on the Historic District Map. If no distance is given, such dimension shall be determined by the use of the scale as shown on the Historic District Map.
C. 
Where historic district boundaries are indicated as approximately following lot lines, such lot lines shall be construed to be said boundaries.
D. 
Where historic district boundaries are indicated as approximately following a body of water, such lines shall be construed as coincident with the shoreline of said body of water.
E. 
Where physical or cultural features existing on the ground are at variance with those shown on the Historic District Map or in other circumstances not covered by the above, the Commission shall interpret the boundaries of the Historic District and refer the findings of the Commission to the Council of the City of Scranton for action.
Should any provisions set forth in this Article be found to conflict with any law of the United States or of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, such federal and/or state law shall govern and this Article shall be construed accordingly. Such conflict shall not affect the validity of this Article.
A. 
Notice of violations. The Building Code Official shall serve a notice of violation on the person in violation of this Article, or of a plan approved thereunder, or in violation of a permit of certificate of appropriateness issued under the provisions of this Article. Such notice shall direct the abatement of said violation.
B. 
Prosecution of violation. If the violation is not abated within the time specified in the notice of violation, the Building Code Official and the City Solicitor shall institute the appropriate proceeding at law or in equity to restrain, correct or abate such violation.
C. 
Violation penalties. Any persons who shall violate the provisions of this Article or who shall fail to comply with any of the requirements thereof or who shall conduct activities in violation of a permit or a certificate of appropriateness issued under the provisions of this Article, or who shall, without having applied for and received an appropriate permit, conduct activities for which a permit is required under the terms of this Article, shall be guilty of a summary offense punishable by a fine not exceeding three hundred dollars ($300.) per day, plus costs, or imprisonment for a period of up to ninety (90) days if such fine and costs be not paid. Each day that a violation continues unabated shall be deemed a separate offense.
A. 
An applicant for a certificate of appropriateness, or a property owner of a property designated historic, aggrieved by an adverse decision of the governing body of the City of Scranton, or any person(s) who has actively participated in opposition to the application for a certificate of appropriateness and clearly demonstrates a particularized harm will be caused by the approval of the application, may file an appeal with the Court of Common Pleas of Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, or any other court having jurisdiction over the matter, within thirty (30) days after the issuance of the governing body of the City of Scranton's decision on the application, the historic designation of a landmark property or an historic district. Failure to file an appeal within the time frame herein specified shall preclude an appeal on said decision of the governing body of the City of Scranton.
B. 
Upon the filing of an appeal and during its pendency before the Court, all work under appeal shall be stayed unless the City Engineer or the Building Code Official certifies to the governing body of the City of Scranton, in writing, that such stay would cause imminent peril to life or property, in which case the work shall not be stayed, other than by a restraining order which may be granted by any Court having jurisdiction. Any interested party may petition the Court having jurisdiction to order such appellants to post bond as a condition of continuing the proceedings before the Court. The question of whether or not such petition should be granted and the amount of the Bond shall be within the sole discretion of the Court.
Any person whose duties include the implementation or enforcement of this Article, while acting within the scope of those duties for the City of Scranton, shall not thereby render himself/herself personally liable for any damage that my accrue to persons or property as a result of any act required or permitted in the discharge of his/her duties. Any suit instituted against any City officer, employee or Commission member because of an act performed by him/her in the lawful discharge of his/her duties shall be defended by the City Solicitor and/or the City Solicitor's Office. In no case shall any such City Officer, employee or Commission member be liable for costs in any action, suit or proceedings that may be instituted in pursuance of the provisions of this Article when he/she performs his/her duties in good faith and without malice. For the purpose of this Article, any person who has been assigned duties pursuant to this Article, or his/her designee, shall be considered an employee of the City of Scranton and shall be entitled to the protection of this section.
If any section, clause, portion or provision of this Article shall be held invalid or unconstitutional by any Court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect any other section, clause, portion or provision of this Article so long as it remains legally enforceable minus the invalid section, clause, portion or provision. The City reserves the right to amend this Article, or any portion thereof, from time to time as it shall deem advisable in the best interest of the promotion of the purposes and intent of this Article and the effective administration thereof.
The Commission may recommend amendments to this Article which shall not take effect until an ordinance amending this Article is enacted by the governing body of the City of Scranton in accordance with the Home Rule Charter of the City of Scranton and state law.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See Charter.
In order to cover the costs of advertising, the expenses of the Commission and a proportional part of the Historic Preservation Officer's salary used for these reviews, a fee of $150 is imposed for a certificate of appropriateness, which shall be made payable to the Treasury of the City of Scranton and paid to the Building Code Official upon application.
This Article shall become effective when the Mayor appoints all members to the Commission pursuant to § 18-41 hereof. For purposes of this section, the Commission shall be fully empaneled when Council accepts the appointments of all members.