As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
BOARD OF APPEALS
This group, as specified in Chapter 16 of the Code of the
Borough of Towanda, includes five residents of Towanda Borough which are appointed
by the Towanda Borough Council.
DWELLING UNIT
A single unit providing independent living facilities for
one or more persons, including permanent provisions for living, sleeping,
eating, cooking and sanitation.
FAMILY
An individual or two or more persons related by blood or
marriage, or a group of not more than three persons who are not related
by blood or marriage, living together as a single housekeeping unit
in a dwelling unit.
[Amended 10-5-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-3]
MANAGER
A person given the authority by a property owner to provide
some or all of the following tasks: apply for a rental operating license,
maintenance, mow yard, shovel snow, rake leaves, pay taxes, and collect
rent.
OCCUPANT
A person who sleeps overnight in a dwelling unit for a total
period of 30 days or more in a calendar year.
RENTAL OPERATING LICENSE
A license granted for rental use and pertaining to residential rental real property allowing occupancy for non-owner and owner-occupied rental dwelling unit(s) on said property. The license specifies: address, owner and phone number, manager and phone number (if applicable), inspection date, inspection officer, total number which form a part or all said real property, total number of approved units, expiration date, and any applicable fees as specified in §
221-6.
As an adult tenant of a rental dwelling unit, regarding that
rental dwelling unit and the residential rental property of which
the rental dwelling unit is a part, it shall be the duty of the adult
tenant at all times to:
A. Maintain the cleanliness and sanitary conditions on parts of the
residential rental property of which they have access or control;
properly dispose of trash; and care for and clean after household
pets if pets are allowed by the landlord.
B. Conduct themselves and make reasonable efforts to require that persons
including but not limited to all guests, invitees or licenses to their
rental dwelling unit conduct themselves while on or within the residential
rental property in a manner that will not disturb the peaceful enjoyment
of adjacent or nearby rental dwelling units and/or people occupying
the same.
C. Not engage in, nor permit others on or within the residential rental
property, including rental dwelling units to cause damage to public
property or private property (without permission of the owner of said
property), or to engage in disruptive conduct, or violate any federal
or state law or regulation, ordinance of the Borough of Towanda, Pennsylvania,
or Code of the Borough of Towanda, Pennsylvania, which relates to
public health, safety and welfare. Regarding said code, reference
is made but not limited to the following chapters:
(1) Chapter
112, Construction Codes, Uniform, Article
IV, Fire Prevention.
(2) Chapter
253, Solid Waste, Article
I, Storage and Collection.
(3) Chapter
112, Construction Codes, Uniform, Article
VII, Property Maintenance.
(4) Chapter
264, Street and Sidewalks.
D. Not allow residential dwelling units to be occupied by more than
one family without the permission of the owner and registration with
the Borough of Towanda, Pennsylvania.
E. Use the trash and recycle collection services provided by Towanda
Borough's contracted hauler according to the schedule designated by
the Borough and the contracted hauler.
[Amended 12-6-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-7]
A. Each owner shall pay fees to the Borough of Towanda, Pennsylvania,
as follows.
B. Fees for inspection of rental dwelling units.
[Amended 10-1-2012 by Ord. No. 2012-3; 12-7-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-5]
(1) A fee in an amount established from time to time by resolution of
the Council of the Borough of Towanda, Pennsylvania, shall be paid
in advance at the time that an inspection of any dwelling unit is
scheduled. If the initial inspection of a dwelling unit under this
chapter establishes that the dwelling unit is in full compliance with
this chapter, the fee paid shall be refunded. The fee shall not be
refunded if:
(a) The initial inspection establishes that the dwelling unit is not
in full compliance with this chapter; or
(b) The inspection is a second or subsequent inspection of the same dwelling
unit after an initial inspection established noncompliance with this
chapter, whether or not such second or subsequent inspection establishes
that the dwelling unit is then in full compliance with this chapter.
(2) If no owner or manager of a dwelling unit appears for a scheduled
inspection of the dwelling unit, unless an owner or manager, at least
24 hours before the scheduled inspection notified the Code Inspection
Office of the Borough of Towanda, Pennsylvania, of the need to cancel
a scheduled inspection, there shall be a rescheduling fee in an amount
established from time to time by resolution of the Council of the
Borough of Towanda, Pennsylvania.
(3) In the event that the Code Enforcement Office must cancel an inspection
within 24 hours of the scheduled inspection time, a cancellation fee
in an amount established from time to time by resolution of the Council
of the Borough of Towanda, Pennsylvania, shall be paid to the owner
or owners to be divided between them as they see fit.
The Code Enforcement Official is authorized to enter the building
or premises at reasonable times to inspect subject to constitutional
restrictions. If entry is refused or not obtained, the Code Enforcement
Official is authorized to pursue recourse as provided by law.