The City of Scranton hereby adopts and incorporates by reference the International Property Maintenance Code, 2024 Edition, as promulgated by the International Code Council.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also provided for the repeal of former Ch. 360, Property Maintenance, adopted 1-31-2000 by Ord. No. 2-2000, as amended.
The following sections of the IPMC shall have the additions, insertions, and amendments as stated herein:
A.
101.1 Title. [NAME OF JURISDICTION] shall be "The City of Scranton."
B.
101.2.1 Appendices. The appendices are not adopted.
C.
102.7 Historic buildings. Amended in its entirety to now read as follows:
102.7 Historic buildings. The provisions of this code shall apply to every property, building, and structure designated as "historic" by the City of Scranton under its historic preservation ordinance(s) or by another governmental agency, as permitted by law.
D.
102.8 Referenced codes and standards. Add the following after the first sentence:
"Where the City of Scranton's adopted version of a code or standard differs from the version referenced, the reference shall be read to refer to the corresponding substantive provision of the City of Scranton's adopted version."
E.
102.8.1 Conflicts. Add the following:
Exception: Where conflicts occur between provisions of this code and the Uniform Construction Code, as adopted by the City of Scranton, the provisions of the Uniform Construction Code shall apply.
F.
102.8.2 Provisions in referenced codes and standards. Add the following:
Exception: Where the extent of the reference to a provision of the Uniform Construction Code, as adopted by the City of Scranton, includes subject matter that is within the scope of this code, the provisions of the Uniform Construction Code, as applicable, shall take precedence.
G.
103.1 Creation of agency. [INSERT NAME OF DEPARTMENT] shall be "Bureau of Code Enforcement."
H.
103.2 Appointment. Amended in its entirety to now read as follows:
103.2 Appointment. The Director of Code Enforcement shall be the code official. If the position of Director is vacant, or the Director is absent, conflicted, or otherwise unable to perform the duties of the code official in any instance, the Acting Director or the person performing the duties of the Director, as the case may be, shall be the code official. Notwithstanding, the Mayor of the City of Scranton may appoint another person to be the code official.
I.
103.3 Deputies. Amended in its entirety to now read as follows:
103.3 Deputies. The Code Enforcement Manager shall be the deputy code official. If the position of Manager is vacant, or the Manager is absent, conflicted, or otherwise unable to perform the duties of the deputy code official in any instance, the Acting Manager or the person performing the duties of the Manager, as the case may be, shall be the deputy code official. The deputy code official shall have all the same powers under this code as the code official. Notwithstanding, the code official may appoint another person to be the deputy code official. The code official may limit the powers of the deputy code official.
103.3.1 Inspectors. Every person employed by the Bureau of Code Enforcement as an inspector shall have the following powers under this code: | |
2. | Determine compliance with this code, render interpretations of this code, and all such powers authorized under Section 105.2 in furtherance of making such a determination or interpretation (Section 105.2). |
3. | Right of entry (Section 105.3). |
4. | Notices and orders (Section 105.5). |
5. | Approval of materials and equipment (Section 105.8). |
Notwithstanding, the code official or deputy code official may appoint another person to be an inspector. The code official or deputy code official may delegate additional powers to an inspector and/or further limit the powers of an inspector. | |
103.3.2 Other technical officers and employees. The code official or deputy code official shall have the authority to appoint other related technical officers, inspectors and other employees. Such employees shall powers as delegated by the code official or deputy code official. | |
103.4 Certification not required. International Code Council Property Maintenance and Housing Inspector Certification shall not be required to exercise any of the powers of the code official. Accordingly, every code official, deputy code official, and inspector may exercise powers authorized under this code without such certification.
J.
105.2.1 Technical assistance. Add the following:
"The code official is further authorized to obtain direct technical assistance, including from the city engineer, in lieu of or in addition to technical assistance provided by the owner or owner's authorized agent."
K.
105.2.1.1 Cost. Add the following:
"The code official may require the owner or owner's authorized agent to reimburse the jurisdiction for the costs of obtaining direct technical assistance."
L.
105.2.2 Alternative materials, design and methods of construction and equipment. The Exception, which follows the first paragraph of 105.2.2, is deleted.
M.
105.6 Official records. Section 105.6, including Subsections 105.6.1 through Subsection 105.6.5, is deleted in its entirety.
N.
106.1 General. Amended in its entirety to read as follows:
106.1 General. The Housing Board of Appeals shall hear and decide appeals of orders, decisions or determinations made by the code official relative to the application and interpretation of this code. Appeals shall be pursuant to all timelines, fees, requirements, and other provisions under § 203-15B of the Code of the City of Scranton.
Exception: A demolition order may be appealed within 20 days of the date of decision.
O.
107.4 Violation penalties. Amended in its entirety to read as follows:
107.4 Violation penalties. Any person who shall violate a provision of this code, or fail to comply therewith, or with any of the requirements thereof, shall be prosecuted within the limits provided by state or local laws and shall be subject to a fine of not more than $1,000 or imprisonment for not more than 90 days, or both, for each violation. Each day that a violation continues after due notice has been served shall be deemed a separate offense.
P.
108.4 Failure to comply. Amended in its entirety to read as follows:
108.4 Failure to comply. Any person who shall continue any work after having been served with a stop work order, except such work as that person is directed to perform to remove a violation or unsafe condition, shall subject to the penalties prescribed in Section 107.4.
Q.
109.4.2 Method of service. After the second listed method, such list shall be amended to read:
"3. A copy is sent by first-class mail addressed to the owner at the last known address.
4. A copy is posted in a conspicuous place on or about the structure or equipment affected by such notice. (Service by this method upon the owner's agent or upon the person responsible for the structure shall constitute service of notice upon the owner.)
5. A copy is delivered in any other manner as prescribed by local law."
R.
110.5 Costs of emergency repairs. Amended in its entirely to read as follows:
110.5 Costs of emergency repairs. Costs incurred in the performance of emergency work may be paid by the City. If emergency work is performed by the City, the City may take any and all action available at law and in equity, against the owner or the owner's authorized agent, to recover the same, including imposing a municipal lien on the subject real estate for the costs thereof in accordance with Pennsylvania law and the Code of the City of Scranton.
S.
302.4 Weeds. "[JURISDICTION TO INSERT HEIGHT IN INCHES]" shall be "8 inches."
T.
304.14 Insect screens. "[DATE] to [DATE]" shall be "May 1 to October 1."
U.
602.3 Heat supply. "[DATE] to [DATE]" shall be "October 1 to April 15."
V.
602.4 Occupiable work spaces. "[DATE] to [DATE]" shall be "October 1 to April 15."