[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township of Warwick 6-16-1997 by Ord. No. 97-5; amended in its entirety 10-17-2011 by Ord. No. 2011-9. Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Uniform construction codes — Ch. 62.
Fees — Ch. 81.
Property maintenance — See Ch. 145.
Sidewalk maintenance — See Ch. 159.
Zoning — See Ch. 195.
A. 
The words and terms used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the current edition of the Uniform Construction Code of Pennsylvania, as most recently adopted by ordinance by the Supervisors of Warwick Township.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 62, Uniform Construction Codes.
B. 
"Township building codes" is defined to mean the current edition of the Uniform Construction Code of Pennsylvania, as adopted by ordinance by the Supervisors of Warwick Township.
No structure, building, dwelling unit, nor any part thereof shall be used or occupied, nor shall a change of ownership occur, nor shall a change of residential or nonresidential tenant occur, until a use and occupancy certificate has been issued by Warwick Township. The Township shall, after application for such certificate has been made by the owner, the agent of the owner, or the prospective tenant of the premises to be occupied, on a form provided for such purpose by the Township, inspect the structure, building, or dwelling unit no later than 30 days prior to settlement or occupation of the premises, assuming that the complete use and occupancy application was submitted and received by the Township no later than 45 days prior to settlement or occupation of the premises, pursuant to the following:
A. 
The applicant must demonstrate compliance with all applicable section(s) of the Township building codes, Township ordinances, rules and regulations.
B. 
Prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy, the owner shall apply for and secure from the Township all necessary permits for all previous improvements or work for which a building or zoning permit was required but not secured.
C. 
No use and occupancy certificate shall be issued until all information, as requested within the application, has been received in writing and reviewed and approved by the Township.
D. 
Property use shall be in accordance with the Zoning Ordinance or shall be a registered legal nonconformity.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 195, Zoning.
E. 
Address numbers must be clearly visible from the street (at least three inches in height). All houses and buildings that are over 50 feet from the road must have their address number posted at the curb.
F. 
All sidewalks, walkways, driveways and similar areas shall be maintained in good condition. Sidewalk maintenance shall be compliant with Chapter 159, Article III, of the Warwick Township Code of Ordinances.
G. 
The exterior of the structure shall have no visible openings which would allow weather or vermin to breach the interior.
H. 
Guardrails must be present at all balconies and/or decks which are greater than 30 inches above grade or floor level.
I. 
Handrails and/or guard rails must be present at all stairways where more than two stairs are located.
J. 
If present, sump pumps must discharge to the exterior of the building. No sump pump may discharge to the surface of a property within 15 feet of a road or street without the written approval of the Township. No sump pumps may discharge into the sanitary sewer system. No sump pumps may discharge into the stormwater system without the written approval of the Township.
K. 
Working exhaust fans shall be present in all bathrooms and/or toilet rooms which do not have an operable window.
L. 
If present, garbage disposals shall be in working condition.
M. 
All plumbing fixtures (sinks, toilets, etc.) shall be in working condition.
N. 
There shall be no unfilled openings within the electric circuit breaker box.
O. 
There shall be no exposed or uncapped electric wires or uncovered outlet or switch boxes.
P. 
All new and existing structures, buildings, or dwelling units shall contain a properly maintained and functioning smoke detector present on each level, in each bedroom, in the basement and in each basement room separated by a door. A heat detector or smoke detector shall be in the garage. The smoke-detection system shall meet the requirements of the applicable Township building codes. When actuated, the audible alarm of the smoke-detection system shall meet the requirements of the applicable Township building codes referencing decibel levels for smoke-detection systems. All detectors shall be interconnected so that when one detector senses smoke or heat, all devices activate simultaneously. All smoke detectors must have a battery backup feature. Detectors in new construction must be hardwired. In existing units, detectors may be hardwired, wireless or a combination of both types.
Q. 
All systems, devices and equipment to detect fire or smoke, actuate an alarm or suppress or control a fire shall be properly maintained.
R. 
Fire-rated doors shall be present in garages where a door leads into a conditioned space.
S. 
Where present, five-eighths-inch, Type X drywall shall be installed along the wall between the garage and the living space.
T. 
Existing fire-suppression systems (sprinklers) are to be inspected and certified by a certified sprinkler inspector.
U. 
All fireplaces must have a screen, whether they are in use or not, unless the flue has been permanently sealed.
V. 
All bedroom windows must open easily and stay open without additional support(s).
W. 
All dryer exhaust ducts must be of metallic, noncombustible material, attached with tape or compression bands (no screws). Dryer exhaust vents must have cleanouts as required by Section 1502 of the currently adopted edition of the International Residential Code.
X. 
The front door must utilize a thumb-latch lock.
Y. 
On-lot or private septic systems must be in working condition. Failing systems shall be required to connect with the public sewer where available. Where public sewer service is not available, the property owner shall meet with the Township and the Warwick Township Water and Sewer Authority to ascertain the most appropriate method of resolving the sewer issue.
The application for a use and occupancy permit shall state all uses, principal and accessory, to which the structure, building, or dwelling unit is devoted. No structure, building, dwelling unit, nor any part thereof shall be used or occupied, nor shall a change of ownership occur, nor shall a change of residential or nonresidential tenant occur, until a use and occupancy certificate has been issued by Warwick Township in accordance with this chapter. It shall be the responsibility of any person or corporation who shall change the use of, sell or otherwise transfer ownership of any structure, building, or residential dwelling unit, or change the tenant of a residential or nonresidential structure or building, to apply for and obtain the use and occupancy certificate required by this chapter prior to the transfer of ownership rights or any use or occupancy or change of use or occupancy of such premises; provided, however, that the failure on the part of such seller, transferor, or owner to obtain such certificate shall not excuse the purchaser, transferee, or residential or nonresidential tenant from the requirements of this chapter.
Any use and occupancy certificate issued hereunder may be revoked in the event that the structure, building, or dwelling unit is determined to be unsafe, uninhabitable, or that a condition exists that is in violation of any ordinance of the Township, or that the actual use is in violation of any ordinance of the Township. In the event that the use and occupancy certificate is issued subject to conditions, such certificate may be revoked if the conditions remain unsatisfied within the time limit provided for at the time of issuance of the certificate.
The applicant for a use and occupancy certificate shall pay, at the time of application, a fee to the Township in an amount established by a fee schedule which has been adopted by resolution by the Board of Supervisors. Such fee shall be nonrefundable in the event that the Township shall not issue a use and occupancy certificate after the required inspection.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: The Warwick Township Fee Schedule is on file in the Township office. See also Ch. 81, Fees.
Any person, corporation, or association who or which shall occupy or use any structure, building, or dwelling unit without obtaining a use and occupancy certificate or who or which continues to occupy or use any structure, building, or dwelling unit following revocation of a previously issued use and occupancy certificate shall be in violation of this chapter and shall be subject to the payment of fines and penalties of not less than $100 and not more than $1,000, in addition to the cost of prosecution and collection, and, in default thereof, to imprisonment for a period not exceeding 30 days, as provided by law. Each and every day that occupancy or use of any structure, building, or dwelling unit shall continue without the certificate required by this chapter, after notice to cease and desists such occupancy or use shall have been given, shall constitute a separate offense and be punishable as such.