[Adopted 8-16-2005 by Ord. No. 4-2005]
This article is enacted to provide for the uniform and equitable
distribution of the tax levies in the Borough of Dalton and upon the
inhabitants thereof and to promote the health, safety, morals and
general welfare of the inhabitants of the Borough of Dalton.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated, unless a different meaning clearly appears from
the context:
BUSINESS UNIT
A parcel of real estate, with or without improvements located
thereon, utilized by any person or persons for any commercial activity
or purpose.
DWELLING UNIT
One or more rooms used for living and sleeping purposes arranged
for occupancy by one family or by one or more persons.
LANDLORD
A lessor or person who acts as agent for the lessor of any
parcel of real estate located in the Borough of Dalton, or a lessor
or person who acts as agent for the lessor of any improvements on
real estate or any building located in the Borough of Dalton.
PERSON
Any individual, partnership, association, firm or corporation.
TENANT
A person who has the use, either by himself or with others,
of a dwelling unit or a business unit owned by a person other than
himself for a period exceeding 30 days.
Within 30 days from the effective date of this article, each
landlord shall submit to the Dalton Borough Secretary a report form
supplied by the Dalton Borough Secretary, which includes the following
information:
A. A list of the dwelling units and business units owned by the landlord
and located within the Dalton Borough limits, whether occupied or
not occupied;
B. The address of each dwelling unit and business unit;
C. A brief description of each dwelling unit or business unit;
D. Whether or not said dwelling unit or business unit is inhabited or
utilized by tenants;
E. The names of the tenant or tenants utilizing the aforementioned dwelling
unit or business unit, if any.
After the effective date of this article, any person who becomes a landlord of any parcel of real estate or any improvement on the real estate or building located in the Borough of Dalton by agreement of sale, by deed or by any other means shall, within 30 days thereafter, report to the Dalton Borough Secretary the information and data set forth in §
271-3 above and on forms to be provided by the Dalton Borough Secretary.
After the effective date of this article, each and every landlord
of property within the Borough of Dalton shall report to the Dalton
Borough Secretary on a report form to be supplied by the Dalton Borough
Secretary any change in the use or occupancy of any dwelling unit
or business unit owned by such landlord. The reported change shall
include the name or names of new tenants of such dwelling unit or
business unit, the date when such change was effected, and the forwarding
address of the old tenant or tenants, if known. A landlord of a hotel,
inn or boardinghouse shall not be required to report a person as a
"tenant" until that person has resided in such landlord's establishment
for a period exceeding 30 days. In the event a dwelling unit or business
unit was used or utilized by a tenant and then becomes vacant, this
change shall also be reported to the Dalton Borough Secretary. All
reports required by this section shall be made within 10 days after
a landlord has knowledge that such a unit has had a change in occupancy
or has become vacant.
The Dalton Borough Secretary, under the authority of this article,
shall:
A. Maintain on file at the Dalton Borough office the names of the landlords
owning dwelling units and business units in Dalton Borough, said list
to include the names of the current tenants of said dwelling units
and business units;
B. Maintain a supply of forms for landlords to use in making reports to the Dalton Borough Secretary as required by §§
271-3,
271-4 and
271-5 of this article;
C. Notify the Chief of Police and the Fire Chief of the Borough of Dalton
of the address and description of any dwelling unit or business unit
that is vacant, unoccupied and not in use.
Any person who violates or permits a violation of this article
shall, upon being found liable therefor, pay a fine of not more than
$600, plus court costs and reasonable attorneys' fees incurred by
the Borough in the enforcement proceedings.
This article is enacted by the Borough of Dalton under the authority
of the Act of Legislature, February 1, (1966) 1965, P.L. 1656, No.
581, known as the Borough Code, § 1005, as recodified and
amended (see now 8 Pa.C.S.A. § 1005), and any other applicable
law arising under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.