This article shall be known and cited as the "Township of Robinson
Property Maintenance Ordinance."
Recognizing the need within the Township to establish certain
minimum health and safety requirements for those buildings, structures
or properties which are used or associated with human occupancy; this
article hereby establishes standards which the Commissioners consider
to be fair and effective in meeting those minimum requirements.
This Article
III and the objectives leading to its enactment are authorized by the provisions of the First Class Township Code, to wit 53 P.S. § 56526.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
BUILDING
A roofed structure, enclosed by one or more walls, for the
shelter, housing, storage or enclosure of persons, goods, materials,
equipment or animals.
COURT
An open and unoccupied space on a lot, enclosed on at least
three sides by the walls of a building.
GARBAGE
Putrescible animal and vegetable wastes resulting from the
handling, preparation, cooking and consumption of food.
INFESTATION
The presence of insects, rodents, vermin and/or other pests.
LOT
Plot, tract, premises or parcel of land, with or without
improvements thereto.
OWNER
Any person or persons, jointly or severally, firm, corporation
or other entity which, either by conveyance or inheritance or otherwise,
is vested with the title to a lot and/or improvements thereto or who
retains the exclusive control of such lot and/or improvements thereto
in his capacity as a legal representative, such as an administrator,
trustee, executor, etc.
REFUSE
All putrescible and nonputrescible solid wastes, including
garbage, rubbish, ashes, dead animals and market and industrial wastes.
UNOCCUPIED HAZARD
Any building or part thereof or man-made structure which
remains unoccupied for a period of more than six months, with either
doors, windows or other openings broken, removed, boarded or sealed
up, or any building under construction upon which little or no construction
work has been performed for a period of more than six months.
YARD
Any open space on the same lot with a building and, for the
most part, unobstructed from the ground up.
The provisions of this article shall supplement local laws,
ordinances or regulations existing in the Township or those of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Where a provision of this article is
found to be in conflict with any provision of a local law, ordinance,
code or regulation or those of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the
provision which is more restrictive or which establishes the higher
standard shall prevail.
Any occupant of a premises shall be responsible for compliance
with the provisions of this article with respect to the maintenance
of that part of the premises which he occupies and/or controls in
a safe, sound and/or sanitary condition pursuant to the terms of the
contract/agreement under which he exercises occupancy and/or control
thereof.
The Commissioners may or may cause through an authorized representative
of the Township of Robinson entry onto premises for the purpose of
inspection of any and all premises, properties, buildings and/or structures
located within the Township of Robinson for ascertaining the existence
of violations. In those matters where the nature of an alleged violation
is such that an inspection of the interior of a building or structure
is necessitated, prior arrangements must be made with the owner or
his agent to secure access thereof.
If the owner does not comply with the notice to abate the conditions
within the time limit prescribed, the Township of Robinson shall have
the authority to take measures to correct the conditions and collect
the cost of such corrections, plus 10% of all costs. The Township
of Robinson, in such event and pursuant to its statutory or otherwise
authorized police powers, shall have the right and power to enter
upon the offending premises to accomplish the foregoing.
[Amended 8-14-1989 by Ord. No. 16-1989]
Any person who shall violate any provision of this article shall,
upon conviction thereof, be sentenced to pay a fine not exceeding
$600 and costs or, in default of payment thereof, shall be subject
to imprisonment for a term not to exceed 30 days. Each day that a
violation of this article continues shall constitute a separate offense.
If the premises are owned by more than one owner, each owner
shall severally be subject to prosecution for the violation of this
article.
The remedies provided herein for the enforcement of this article
or any remedy provided by law shall not be deemed mutually exclusive,
rather, they may be employed simultaneously or consecutively, at the
option of the Commissioners.