Borough of Northampton, PA Chapter 186 Rapid Entry Systems

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of Northampton 11-6-2014 by Ord. No. 1194. Amendments noted where applicable.]

GENERAL REFERENCES

Fire Department — See Ch. 28.

Alarms — See Ch. 70.

Construction codes — See Ch. 105.

§ 186-1 Incorporation of preamble.

The above Whereas clauses are incorporated herein by reference.[1]

[1] Editor's Note: Said Whereas clauses are found in Ord. No. 1194, adopted 11-6-2014.

§ 186-2 Knox Box required for certain structures.

[Amended 9-4-2025 by Ord. No. 1240]

The following structures shall be equipped with the Knox Box:

A. Commercial and industrial buildings;

B. Multifamily residential building, with three units or more,[??]

C. Government structures, schools; churches; hospitals, assisted living facilities; nursing care facilities; personal care homes; hotels, etc.

D. Any structure with restructured access through a locked security gate, including a commercial building or residence.

E. Any new commercial structure shall have a Knox Box installed prior to an occupancy permit being issued.

F. Any structure, listed above, existing after the adoption of this chapter which has undergone major improvements (in excess of $5,000, as determined by the Borough) including remodeling or additions shall be required to install a Knox Box prior to an occupancy permit being issued.

G. Any existing buildings prior to the effective date of this chapter as amended shall have one year in order to install a Knox Box and have it fully operational.

§ 186-3 Structures exempt from Knox Box.

[Amended 9-4-2025 by Ord. No. 1240]

A. Single-family residential homes.

B. Multifamily structures that do not meet the requirements of § 186-2.

C. Structures with twenty-four-hour, 365-day on-site security personnel.

§ 186-4 Knox Box system.

A. The Knox Box Rapid Entry System is a UL-listed system and shall be equipped with a key lock bock installed at or near the main entrance of the structure or in an area approved by the Northampton Borough Fire Chief.

B. Any property or structure with a gated secure driveway that does not have an alternative method of opening the gate shall have the Knox Box installed outside of the gate.

C. The Knox Box shall be master keyed to the key configuration assigned to the Fire Department serving as the first responder in the geographic area where the structure is located.

§ 186-5 Violations and penalties.

[Amended 9-4-2025 by Ord. No. 1240]

Any person, firm or corporation who shall violate any provision of this chapter, upon conviction thereof, shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not less than $600 nor more than $1,000 plus costs and, in default of payment of said fine and costs, to a term of imprisonment not to exceed 30 days; each day that a violation of this chapter continues shall constitute a separate offense. Enforcement of this chapter shall be administered by the Code Enforcement Officer or the Police Department of the Borough.