[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of Mount Wolf as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Adopted 8-10-1999 by Ord. No. 1999-01]
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
STRUCTURE
A dwelling or other building.
No land or structure shall be used or occupied in such a manner as to create a dangerous, injurious, noxious or otherwise objectionable condition which adversely affects the reasonable use of the adjoining premises or surrounding area, whether the condition results from:
A. 
Fire, explosive or other hazard;
B. 
Noise or vibration;
C. 
Smoke, dust, odor, heat, cold, dampness or other form of air pollution;
D. 
Electromagnetic or other substance, condition or element; or
E. 
Any other cause.
A person convicted of violating this article commits a summary offense and shall be punishable as set forth in Chapter 1, Article I, General Penalty, § 1-1 of this Code.
[1]
Editor's Note: Added at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
[Adopted 2-9-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-02]
The following terms, when used in this article, shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
DANGEROUS BUILDING
A building or other structure which has one or more of the following defects:
A. 
Has been damaged by fire, wind or other cause so as to:
(1) 
Fail to provide the amenities essential to decent living, and be unfit for human habitation; or
(2) 
Be dangerous to the life, safety, morals or general health and welfare of the occupants or the people of the Borough.
B. 
Is dilapidated, decayed, unsafe or unsanitary to the extent that it is:
(1) 
Unfit for human habitation; or
(2) 
Likely to cause accidents, sickness or disease and be dangerous to the safety, morals or general health and welfare of the occupants or the people of the Borough.
C. 
Has parts which are so attached that they might fall and injure the occupants or the people of the Borough.
D. 
Is in a general condition which is unsafe, unsanitary or dangerous to the health, morals, safety or general welfare of the occupants or the people of the Borough.
OWNER
The owner of record or the purchaser under an agreement of sale, or any of several owners or purchasers.
All dangerous buildings are hereby declared to be public nuisances which shall be repaired, vacated and/or demolished, in accordance with this article.
Upon learning of an alleged dangerous building, the Council shall appoint an official, committee, employee or agent to examine the structure. The official, committee, employee or agent shall report its findings, including recommendations, to the Council as soon as feasible, but no later than the next regularly scheduled Council meeting.
A. 
Notice. If, upon receiving a report from the official, committee, employee or agent appointed under § 183-6, the Council decides that the structure is a dangerous building, the Council shall notify the owner, and any occupant, lessee, mortgage or other person believed to have an interest in the structure, that a hearing will be held on a specified date to determine whether the structure should be repaired, vacated and/or demolished.
B. 
Hearing. The hearing shall be held not less than 10 nor more than 60 days from the mailing or delivery date of the notice to the owner.
C. 
Order; findings. Within 30 days of the hearing, the Council shall issue an order with respect to the alleged dangerous building, based on written findings of fact from the report under § 183-6 and testimony at the hearing. The order shall be based on the following standards:
(1) 
If a dangerous building can be repaired so that it will no longer be dangerous, it will be ordered to be repaired.
(2) 
If a dangerous building is in such condition that it is dangerous to the health, morals, safety or general welfare of its occupants, it will be ordered to be vacated.
(3) 
If a dangerous building cannot be reasonably repaired and/or is a fire hazard, it will be ordered to be demolished.
(4) 
An order will allow a reasonable time in which to vacate a dangerous building or to commence work ordered to be done, and a reasonable time in which to complete the work.
Notice. A copy of an order issued under § 183-7C shall be served on all parties notified under § 183-7A. If the work ordered to be done is not commenced and completed within the time specified in the order, the Borough may have the work performed by its employees or contractors at the expense of the owner of the property.
If it reasonably appears that there exists an immediate danger to the life or safety of any person caused or created by a dangerous building, the Council shall cause the immediate repair, vacation or demolition of the structure at the expense of the owner of the property.
A person who violates any provision of this article or an order issued under authority of this article commits a summary offense, punishable as set forth in Chapter 1, Article I, General Penalty, § 1-1 of this Code. Each day of a continuing violation may be regarded as a separate offense.
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).