[Adopted 12-14-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-208]
The purpose of this article is to require certain structures
to have a key lock box installed at the entrance of the structure
to enable emergency responders to gain access to the structure when
responding to an emergency without forceful entry.
This article shall be known and may be cited as the "Key Lock
Box Ordinance."
All proposed structures other than single-family detached, single-family
semidetached, single-family attached (townhouses), structures accessory
to a residential use, utility or essential service structures, and
municipal structures, shall be equipped with a fully functional key
lock box at or near the main entrance as approved by the Township
or its designee. Also, renovations, remodeling, reconstruction and
expansion of all existing structures except single-family detached,
single-family semidetached, and single-family attached (townhouses)
for which a building permit or zoning permit is required shall be
equipped with a fully functional key lock box at or near the main
entrance as approved by the Township or its designee.
The owner of each structure constructed after the effective
date of this article and subject to this article shall have a key
lock box installed and operational prior to the issuance of any occupancy
permit.
The key lock box shall be an Underwriters' Laboratory type and
sized appropriately for the number of contents required therein and
approved by the Township. The key lock box shall be equipped with
a lock which can be opened only with a lock box master key that is
issued to the Township or its designee. Only emergency vehicles that
are equipped with a special security device designed to be opened
by communication with County Dispatch are authorized to carry the
lock box master key. The owner of the structure is prohibited from
obtaining or otherwise possessing a lock box master key.
The owner shall place or cause to be placed in the lock box
keys to all locked entrances, whether on the interior or exterior
of the structure, keys to locked mechanical or electrical equipment
rooms, keys to elevator rooms and controls, keys to any fenced or
secured area, a floor plan of the rooms within the structure denoting
any utility disconnects or controls, fire alarm panels or controls
and any hazardous materials stored in the structure, and a contact
person with current contact information. It is the structure owner's
responsibility to ensure the contents of the lock box are current
and functional. The Township or its designee shall open the box for
placement, inspection and approval of contents. Also, if any of the
contents of the key lock box must be removed, updated, or anything
added thereto, arrangements shall be made with the Township or its
designee to open the key lock box to inspect the items and then relock
the box.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. I)]
Any person who violates or permits a violation of this article
shall, upon conviction in a summary proceeding brought before a Magisterial
District Judge under the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure,
be guilty of a summary offense and shall be punishable by a fine of
not more than $1,000, plus costs of prosecution. In default of payment
thereof, the defendant may be sentenced to imprisonment for a term
not exceeding 90 days. Each day or portion thereof that such violation
continues or is permitted to continue shall constitute a separate
offense, and each section of this article that is violated shall also
constitute a separate offense.