[Adopted 3-12-2009 by Ord. No. 425]
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
CODE
Any Code or ordinance adopted, enacted, and/or in effect
in and for the Township of Patterson concerning fitness for habitation
or the construction, maintenance, operation, occupancy, use or appearance
of any premises or dwelling unit.
CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
Person designated by Patterson Township to conduct inspections
required by this article and to enforce the requirements of this article.
COMMON AREAS
Areas not leased to a specific tenant, but upon which a tenant
is typically authorized to be present.
DISRUPTIVE CONDUCT
Any form of conduct, action, incident, or behavior, perpetrated,
caused, or permitted by any occupant or visitor of a regulated dwelling
unit that is so loud, untimely (time of day), offensive, riotous,
or that otherwise disturbs other persons of reasonable sensibility
of their peaceful enjoyment of their premises such that a report is
made to police complaining of such action, conduct, incident, or behavior.
It is not necessary that such action, conduct, incident, or behavior
constitute a criminal offense, nor that criminal charges be filed
against any person in order for a person to have perpetrated, caused
or permitted the commission of disruptive conduct as defined herein;
provided, however, that no disruptive conduct shall be deemed to have
occurred unless the police shall investigate and make a determination
that such did occur, and make a record of such occurrence.
DISRUPTIVE CONDUCT REPORT
A written report of disruptive conduct on a form to be prescribed
therefore, to be completed by the police who actually investigate
an alleged incident of disruptive conduct and which shall be maintained
by the Code Enforcement Officer or designated representative.
DWELLING
A building and/or mobile home having one or more dwelling
units.
DWELLING UNIT
A room or group of rooms within a dwelling forming a single
unit and providing complete independent living facilities for one
or more persons, including permanent provisions for living, sleeping,
eating, cooking, and sanatation.
GUEST
A person on the premises with the actual or implied consent
of an occupant.
ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES
The occupant shall not engage in, nor tolerate nor permit
others on the premises to engage in, any conduct declared illegal
under the Pennsylvania Crimes Code (18 Pa. C.S.A. § 101
et seq.) or the Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act
(35 P.S. § 780-101 et seq.).
LANDLORD
One or more persons, jointly or severally, in whom is vested
all or part of the legal title to the premises, or all or part of
the beneficial ownership and a right to present use and enjoyment
of the premises, including a mortgage holder in possession of a regulated
rental unit (Same as owner).
MANAGER
An adult individual designated by the owner of a regulated
rental unit. The manager shall be the agent of the owner for service
of process and receiving notices or demands and to perform the obligation
of the owner under this article and under rental agreements with occupants.
MULTIPLE-UNIT DWELLING
A building containing three or more independent dwelling
units, including, but not limited to, double houses, row houses, townhouses,
condominiums, apartment houses and conversion apartments.
OCCUPANCY LICENSE
The license issued to the owner of regulated rental units
under this article, which is required for the lawful rental and occupancy
of regulated rental units.
OCCUPANT
An individual who resides in a regulated rental unit, whether
or not he or she is the owner thereof, with whom a legal relationship
with the owner/landlord is established by a written lease or by the
laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
OWNER
One or more persons, jointly or severally, in whom is vested
all or part of the legal title to the premises, or all or part of
the beneficial ownership and a right to present use and enjoyment
of the premises, including a mortgage holder in possession of regulated
rental unit.
PEACEFUL ENJOYMENT
The occupant shall conduct himself or herself and require
other persons, including, but not limited to guests on the premises
and within his or her regulated rental unit with his or her consent,
to conduct themselves in a manner that will not disturb the peaceful
enjoyment of adjacent or nearby dwellings by the persons occupying
same.
PERSON
A natural person, partnership, corporation, unincorporated
association, limited partnership, trust, or any other entity.
POLICE
The Police Department of the Township of Patterson or any
properly authorized member or officer thereof or any other law enforcement
agency having jurisdiction within the Township of Patterson.
PREMISES
Any parcel of real property in the Township of Patterson
including the land and all buildings and appurtenant structures or
appurtenant elements on which one or more regulated rental units is
located.
REGULATED RENTAL UNIT
Any dwelling unit that is rented, leased, let out, or otherwise
permitted to be occupied by a person(s) other than the owner. Vacant
dwelling units are classified as regulated rental units.
RENTAL AGREEMENT
A written agreement between owner/landlord and occupant/tenant
supplemented by the terms and conditions of this article.
RESIDENTIAL USE
The occupant shall not, unless otherwise permitted by applicable
law or ordinance, occupy or use his or her regulated rental unit for
any purpose other than as a residence.
ROOMING HOUSE
Any dwelling or that part of any dwelling containing one
or more rooming units, in which space is let by the owner or operator
to three or more persons who are not husband or wife, son or daughter,
mother or father or sister or brother of the owner or operator.
SINGLE-FAMILY DWELLING
A detached building containing one dwelling unit, designed
and intended to be occupied by one family for living purposes.
TENANT
An individual who resides in a regulated rental unit, whether
or not he or she is the owner thereof, with whom a legal relationship
with the owner/landlord is established by a written lease or by the
laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (Same as occupant).
TOWNSHIP
Township of Patterson, Beaver County, Pennsylvania.
TWO-FAMILY DWELLING
A detached building containing two dwelling units, each entirely
separate from each other, designed and intended to be occupied for
living purposes.