A. 
Title. These regulations shall be known as the "Property Maintenance Minimum Housing and Quality of Life Code" of the Borough of Yeadon, hereinafter referred to as "this code."
B. 
Scope. The provisions of this code shall apply to all existing residential and nonresidential structures and all existing premises and constitute minimum requirements and standards for premises, structures, equipment, and facilities for light, ventilation, space, heating, sanitation, protection from the elements, life safety, safety from fire and other hazards, and for safe and sanitary maintenance; the responsibility of owners, operators and occupants; the occupancy of existing structures and premises; to preserve the peace, harmony and tranquility of the community, and for administration, enforcement and penalties.
C. 
Intent. This code shall be construed to secure its expressed intent, which is to ensure public health, safety and welfare insofar as they are affected by the continued occupancy and maintenance of structures and premises; and to prevent the decline of property values and to insure a reasonable level of quality of life for all residents. Existing structures and premises that do not comply with these provisions shall be altered or repaired to provide a minimum level of health and safety as required herein. Repairs, alterations, additions to and changes of occupancy in existing buildings shall comply with the International Existing Building Code.
D. 
Severability. If a section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase of this code is, for any reason, held to be unconstitutional, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this code.
A. 
General. The provisions of this code shall apply to all matters affecting or relating to structures and premises, as set forth in § 220-1. Where, in a specific case, different sections of this code specify different requirements, the most restrictive shall govern.
B. 
Maintenance. Equipment, systems, devices and safeguards required by this code or a previous regulation or code under which the structure or premises was constructed, altered or repaired shall be maintained in good working order. No owner, operator or occupant shall cause any service, facility, equipment or utility which is required under this section to be removed from or shut off from or discontinued for any occupied dwelling, except for such temporary interruption as necessary while repairs or alterations are in progress. The requirements of this code are not intended to provide the basis for removal or abrogation of fire protection and safety systems and devices in existing structures. Except as otherwise specified herein, the owner or the owner's designated agent shall be responsible for the maintenance of buildings, structures and premises.
C. 
Application of other codes. Repairs, additions or alterations to a structure, or changes of occupancy, shall be done in accordance with the procedures and provisions of Pennsylvania Act 45, titled the "Uniform Construction Code" (UCC), as adopted and modified by the Borough,[1] and all future amendments and insertions thereof. Nothing in this code shall be construed to cancel, modify or set aside any provision of Chapter 300, Zoning.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 122, Construction Codes, Uniform.
D. 
Existing remedies. The provisions in this code shall not be construed to abolish or impair existing remedies of the jurisdiction or its officers or agencies relating to the removal or demolition of any structure which is dangerous, unsafe and unsanitary.
E. 
Workmanship. Repairs, maintenance work, alterations or installations which are caused directly or indirectly by the enforcement of this code shall be executed and installed in a workmanlike manner and installed in accordance with the manufacturer's installation instructions.
F. 
Historic buildings. The provisions of this code dealing with the alteration of the structure, modifications of electrical, mechanical or plumbing systems, shall not be mandatory for existing buildings or structures designated by the state or local jurisdiction as historic buildings when such buildings or structures are judged by the Code Officer to be safe and in the public interest of health, safety and welfare. However, all such historic structures and or properties shall be properly maintained and repaired in accordance with all Yeadon historical preservation standards.
G. 
Referenced codes and standards. The codes and standards referenced in this code shall be those that are listed in Article VIII and considered part of the requirements of this code to the prescribed extent of each such reference. Where differences occur between provisions of this code and the referenced standards, the provisions of this code shall apply.
H. 
Requirements not covered by code. Requirements necessary for the strength, stability or proper operation of an existing fixture, structure or equipment, or for the public safety, health and general welfare, not specifically covered by this code or the UCC, shall be determined by the Code Officer.
A. 
General. The Department of Code Enforcement, or Code Department, is hereby created and charged with the administration and enforcement of the provision of this code and the Code of the Borough of Yeadon, unless otherwise expressly provided by Council or applicable law.
B. 
Appointment. All members of the Code Department shall be employees of the Borough of Yeadon or other employees or individuals covered under any intermunicipal agreements or other similar agreements between the Borough of Yeadon and other municipalities.
C. 
Code officers. The Department of Code Enforcement shall be staffed with administrative clerical staff and various code officers. Code officers shall be charged with the responsibilities as outlined in § 220-4.
D. 
Director of Code Enforcement. The Executive Code Officer in charge of the Code Department shall be known as the Director of Code Enforcement, who shall enforce and administer all of the applicable codes and ordinances which establish the Department of Code Enforcement as their official administration and enforcement authority. The Director of Code Enforcement shall supervise such other employees, code officers or assistants as shall be necessary for the administration and execution of the responsibilities of said office, as appointed and approved by the Council.
E. 
Liability. The Director of Code Enforcement, code officers, or other employees charged with the enforcement of this code, while acting for the Borough, shall not thereby be rendered liable personally, and are hereby relieved from all personal liability for any damage accruing to persons or property as a result of an act required or permitted in the discharge of official duties. Any suit instituted against any officer or employee because of an act performed by that officer or employee in the lawful discharge of duties and under the provisions of this code shall be defended by the legal representative of the jurisdiction until the final termination of the proceedings. Code officers shall not be liable for costs in an action, suit or proceeding that is instituted in pursuance of the provisions of this code; and any officer of the department of property maintenance inspection, acting in good faith and without malice, shall be free from liability for acts performed under any of its provisions or by reason of any act or omission in the performance of official duties in connection therewith.
F. 
Fees. The fees for activities and services performed by the department in carrying out its responsibilities under this code shall be as indicated in the Borough's Fee Schedule as approved by the Borough Council from time to time.
A. 
General. The Code Officers shall enforce the provisions of this code.
B. 
Rule-making authority. The Director of Code Enforcement shall have authority as necessary in the interest of public health, safety and general welfare, to adopt and promulgate rules and procedures; to interpret and implement the provisions of this code; to secure the intent thereof; and to designate requirements applicable because of local climatic or other conditions. Such rules shall not have the effect of waiving structural or fire performance requirements specifically provided for in this code, or of violating accepted engineering methods involving public safety.
C. 
Inspections. The code officers shall make all of the required inspections, or shall accept reports of inspection by approved agencies or individuals. All reports of such inspections shall be in writing and be certified in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania by a responsible officer of such approved agency or by the responsible individual. The Code Officer is authorized to engage such expert opinion as deemed necessary to report upon unusual technical issues that arise, subject to the approval of Director of Code Enforcement.
D. 
Right of entry. The Code Officer is authorized to enter the structure or premises at reasonable times to inspect subject to constitutional restrictions on unreasonable searches and seizures. If entry is refused or not obtained, the Code Officer is authorized to pursue recourse as provided by law.
E. 
Identification. The Code Officer shall carry proper identification when inspecting structures or premises in the performance of duties under this code.
F. 
Notices and orders. The Code Officer shall issue all necessary notices or orders to ensure compliance with this code.
G. 
Department records. The Code Officer shall keep official records of all business and activities of the department specified in the provisions of this code. Such records shall be retained in the official records as long as the building or structure to which such records relate remains in existence, unless otherwise provided for by other regulations.
H. 
Coordination of inspections. Whenever in the enforcement of this code or another code or ordinance, the responsibility of more than one Code Officer of the jurisdiction is involved, it shall be the duty of the code officers involved to coordinate their inspections and administrative orders as fully as practicable so that the owners and occupants of the structure shall not be subjected to visits by numerous inspectors or multiple or conflicting orders. Whenever an inspector from any agency or department observes an apparent or actual violation of some provision of some law, ordinance or code not within the inspector's authority to enforce, the inspector shall report the findings to the Code Officer having jurisdiction.
A. 
Modifications. Whenever there are practical difficulties involved in carrying out the provisions of this code, the Code Officer shall have the authority to grant modifications for individual cases, provided the Code Officer shall first find that special individual reason makes the strict letter of this code impractical and the modification is in compliance with the intent and purpose of this code and that such modification does not lessen health, life and firesafety requirements. The details of action granting modifications shall be recorded and entered in the department files.
B. 
Alternative materials, methods and equipment. The provisions of this code are not intended to prevent the installation of any material or to prohibit any method of construction not specifically prescribed by this code, provided that any such alternative has been approved. An alternative material or method of construction shall be approved where the Code Officer finds that the proposed design is satisfactory and complies with the intent of the provisions of this code, and that the material, method or work offered is, for the purpose intended, at least the equivalent of that prescribed in this code in quality, strength, effectiveness, fire resistance, durability and safety.
C. 
Required testing. Whenever there is insufficient evidence of compliance with the provisions of this code, or evidence that a material or method does not conform to the requirements of this code, or in order to substantiate claims for alternative materials or methods, the Code Officer shall have the authority to require tests to be made as evidence of compliance at no expense to the jurisdiction.
(1) 
Test methods. Test methods shall be as specified in this code or by other recognized test standards. In the absence of recognized and accepted test methods, the Code Officer shall approve the testing procedures.
(2) 
Testing agency. All tests shall be performed by an approved agency.
(3) 
Test reports. Reports of tests shall be retained by the Code Officer for the period required for retention of public records.
D. 
Material and equipment reuse. Materials, equipment and devices shall not be reused unless such elements are in good repair or have been reconditioned and tested when necessary, placed in good and proper working condition and approved.
A. 
Unlawful acts. It shall be unlawful for a person, firm or corporation to be in conflict with or in violation of any of the provisions of this code.
B. 
Notice of violation. The Code Officer shall serve a notice of violation or order in accordance with § 220-7.
(1) 
Time for compliance. Unless specified elsewhere, all violations shall be corrected in a time period as prescribed by the Code Officer, but in no case shall such time for compliance exceed 90 days, unless approved by the Director of Code Enforcement. Any person affected may appeal such decisions in accordance to § 220-12.
Exception: repairs impacted by weather. The Borough recognizes the period from November 1 until April 1 of the following calendar year as the period in which exterior projects relative to painting, excavations and structural repairs to walls roofs, concrete, and masonry may be subject to adverse weather conditions. Any person under orders to make repairs, may request an extension of time from the Code Officer in which to complete such repairs on the basis of adverse weather conditions. Such request shall be in writing. Eligible repairs for such extensions shall be restricted to exterior projects only. No extensions of time shall be granted for any violations that render the property unsafe as described in § 220-8 unless the Director of Code Enforcement is satisfied that special provisions have been made to minimize the dangers.
C. 
Prosecution of violation. Any person failing to comply with a notice of violation or order served in accordance with § 220-7; or such persons found to be in violation of any code section which does not require prior notification as indicated, shall be deemed guilty of a summary offense, and shall result in the issuance of citations as provided for by law and the violation shall be deemed a strict liability offense. If a notice of violation is not complied with, the Code Officer shall institute the appropriate proceeding at law or in equity to restrain, correct or abate such violation, or to require the removal or termination of the unlawful occupancy of the structure in violation of the provisions of this code or of the order or direction made pursuant thereto.
D. 
Violation penalties. Any person who fails to comply with any of the provision of this Property Maintenance and Minimum Housing Code, or any provision of any rule or regulation adopted by the Council or the Code Enforcement Officer pursuant to authority granted by this code, or fails to correct, within the time set by the Code Enforcement Officer, the defects for which a property has been cited, shall be fined not less than $100 nor more than $1,000 or imprisoned not more than 30 days in the county jail, or both such fine and imprisonment. A separate offense shall be deemed committed each day during or on which a violation or noncompliance occurs or continues.
E. 
Abatement of violation. The imposition of the penalties herein prescribed shall not preclude the Borough from instituting appropriate action to restrain, correct or abate a violation, or to prevent illegal occupancy of a building, structure or premises, or to stop an illegal act, conduct, business or utilization of the building, structure or premises.
F. 
Liens for charges. Any cost associated with any action taken by the Borough on such premises to correct or abate any violations of this code or to secure the premises shall be charged against the real estate upon which the structure is located. Such cost shall include all associated Borough employee, engineering and contracted services costs plus an administrative handling charge. Failure of the owner to pay such cost shall result in a lien upon such real estate, which shall include all associated attorney-filing fees.
A. 
Notice to owner or to person or persons responsible. Whenever the Code Officer determines that there has been a violation of this code or has grounds to believe that a violation has occurred, a violation notice shall be given, in the manner prescribed in Subsections B and C to the person responsible for the violation as specified in this code.
(1) 
Exception. Violations of some code sections shall not require prior notice, as spelled out in this code, and may result in the issuance of citations in accordance to § 220-6C and D.
(2) 
Notices for condemnation procedures. Shall also comply with § 220-8C.
B. 
Form. Such notice prescribed in Subsection Ashall be in accordance with all of the following:
(1) 
Be in writing.
(2) 
Include a description of the real estate sufficient for identification.
(3) 
Include a statement of the violation or violations and why the notice is being issued.
(4) 
Include a correction order allowing a reasonable time to make the repairs and improvements required to bring the dwelling unit or structure into compliance with the provisions of this code.
(5) 
Inform the property owner of the right to appeal.
(6) 
Include a statement of the Borough's right to file a lien in accordance with § 220-6C.
C. 
Method of service. Such notice shall be deemed to be properly served if a copy thereof is:
(1) 
Delivered personally;
(2) 
Sent by certified or first-class mail addressed to the last known address; or
(3) 
If the notice is returned showing that the letter was not delivered, a copy thereof shall be posted in a conspicuous place in or about the structure affected by such notice.
D. 
Penalties. Penalties for noncompliance with orders and notices shall be as set forth in § 220-6D.
E. 
Transfer of ownership and rental conversions. It shall be unlawful for the owner of any dwelling unit or structure to sell, transfer, mortgage, lease or otherwise dispose of such dwelling unit or structure to another person; or convert any owner occupied property or portion thereof, into a rental or leased unit, until such owner complies with the appropriate provisions of Articles VIII and IX of this article.
A. 
General. When a structure, equipment or property is found by the Code Officer to be unsafe, or when a structure is found unfit for human occupancy, or is found unlawful, the Code Officer shall provide notice to the property owner that such violations shall be repaired within 10 days or less as determined by the Code Officer. The Code Officer reserves the right to condemn or post any unsafe structure, equipment or property pursuant to the provisions of this code, if persons affected are in imminent danger.
(1) 
Unsafe and dangerous structures. Any building or structure or any individual member with any of the structural conditions or defects described below shall be deemed dangerous to the life, health, property or safety of the public or the occupants of the structure under the following conditions:
(a) 
The structure does not provide minimum safeguards to protect or warn occupants in the event of fire.
(b) 
The structure contains unsafe equipment that jeopardizes the safe occupancy of the structure.
(c) 
The structure or portions thereof are in risk of partial or complete collapse as a result of:
[1] 
The stress in a member or portion thereof due to all factored dead and live loads is more than 1 1/3 the nominal strength allowed in the International Building Code for new buildings of similar structure, purpose, or location.
[2] 
Any portion, member, or appurtenance thereof is likely to fail, or to become detached or dislodged, or to collapse and thereby injure persons.
[3] 
Any portion of a building, or any member, appurtenance or ornamentation on the exterior thereof is not of sufficient strength or stability, or is not anchored, attached, or fastened in place so as to be of risk of falling or not capable of resisting the effects of wind.
[4] 
The building, or any portion thereof, is likely to collapse partially or completely because of dilapidation, deterioration, decay; or faulty construction.
[5] 
Portion of the ground necessary for the purpose of supporting such building has been removed, moved or is unstable.
[6] 
The foundation has become deteriorated, decayed or inadequate.
[7] 
The building has been damaged to the point of partial or near collapse due to fire, explosion, flood, impact, earthquake, wind or other similar event.
[8] 
The exterior walls or other vertical structural members list, lean, or buckle to such an extent that a plumb line passing through the center of gravity does not fall inside the middle 1/3 of the base.
(2) 
Unsafe equipment. Unsafe equipment includes any boiler, heating equipment, elevator, moving stairway, electrical wiring or device, flammable liquid containers or other equipment on the premises or within the structure which is in such disrepair or condition that such equipment is a hazard to life, health, property or safety of the public or occupants of the premises or structure.
(3) 
Structure unfit for human occupancy. A structure is unfit for human occupancy whenever the Code Officer finds that such structure is unsafe, unlawful or, because of the degree to which the structure is in disrepair or lacks maintenance, is unsanitary, vermin- or rat-infested, contains filth and contamination, or lacks ventilation, illumination, sanitary or heating facilities or other essential equipment required by this code, or because the location of the structure constitutes a hazard to the occupants of the structure or to the public.
(4) 
Unlawful structure. An unlawful structure is one found in whole or in part to be occupied by more persons than permitted under this code, or was erected, altered or occupied contrary to law.
(5) 
Unsafe property. An unsafe property is a property in which dangers are present that could result in serious injury or death to any occupants, or persons within proximity of the violation, such as but not limited to electrical hazards, public health issues, trip and slip hazards and the improper storage of combustible and flammable products.
B. 
Closing of vacant structures. If the structure is vacant and unfit for human habitation and occupancy, and is not in danger of structural collapse, the Code Officer is authorized to post a placard stating "unfit for human habitation and occupancy" on the premises and order the structure closed up so as not to be an attractive nuisance. Failure of the owner to close up the premises within the time specified in the order shall be a violation of this code and the Code Officer shall cause the premises to be closed and secured through any available public agency or by contract or arrangement by private persons and the cost thereof shall be charged against the real estate upon which the structure is located and shall be a lien upon such real estate and may be collected by any other legal resource.
C. 
Notice. Whenever the Code Officer has condemned a structure or equipment under the provisions of this section, notice shall be posted in a conspicuous place in or about the structure affected by such notice and served on the owner or the person or persons responsible for the structure or equipment in accordance with § 220-7C. If the notice pertains to equipment, it shall also be placed on the condemned equipment. The notice shall be in the form prescribed in § 220-7B.
D. 
Placarding. Upon failure of the owner or person responsible to comply with the notice provisions within the time given, the Code Officer shall post on the premises or on defective equipment a placard bearing the word "Condemned" and a statement of the penalties provided for occupying the premises, operating the equipment or removing the placard.
(1) 
Removal of placard. The Code Officer shall remove the condemnation placard whenever the defect or defects upon which the condemnation and placarding action were based have been eliminated. Any person who defaces or removes a condemnation placard without the approval of the Code Officer shall be subject to the penalties provided by this code.
E. 
Prohibited occupancy or operation. Any occupied structure condemned and placarded by the Code Officer shall be vacated as ordered by the Code Officer. Any person who shall occupy a placarded premises or shall operate placarded equipment, and any owner or any person responsible for the premises who shall let anyone occupy a placarded premises or operate placarded equipment shall be liable for the penalties provided in § 220-6D. Persons responsible for violation of this section shall be deemed guilty of a summary offense in accordance to § 220-6C and shall receive citations without prior notification as provided for in § 220-7A.
A. 
Imminent danger. When, in the opinion of the Code Officer, there is imminent danger of failure or collapse of a building or structure which endangers life, or when any structure or part of a structure has fallen and life is endangered by the occupation of the structure, or when there is actual or potential danger to the building occupants or those in the proximity of any structure because of explosives, explosive fumes or vapors or the presence of toxic fumes, gases or materials, or operation of defective or dangerous equipment, the Code Officer, upon approval of the Director of Code Enforcement or his designee, is hereby authorized and empowered to order and require the occupants to vacate the premises forthwith. The Code Officer shall cause to be posted at each entrance to such structure a notice reading as follows: "This Structure Is Unsafe and Its Occupancy Has Been Prohibited by the Code Officer." It shall be unlawful for any person to enter such structure except for the purpose of securing the structure, making the required repairs, removing the hazardous condition or of demolishing the same.
B. 
Temporary safeguards. Notwithstanding other provisions of this code, whenever, in the opinion of the Code Officer, there is imminent danger due to an unsafe condition, the Code Officer shall order the necessary work to be done, including the boarding up of openings, to render such structure temporarily safe, whether or not the legal procedure herein described has been instituted; and shall cause such other action to be taken as the Code Officer deems necessary to meet such emergency.
C. 
Closing streets. When necessary for public safety, the Code Officer shall temporarily close structures and close, or order the authority having jurisdiction to close, sidewalks, streets, public ways and places adjacent to unsafe structures, and prohibit the same from being utilized.
D. 
Emergency repairs. For the purposes of this section, the Code Officer shall employ the necessary labor and materials to perform the required work as expeditiously as possible.
E. 
Costs of emergency repairs. Costs incurred in the performance of emergency work shall be paid by the Borough of Yeadon. The Borough Solicitor shall institute appropriate action against the owner of the premises where the unsafe structure is or was located for the recovery of such costs.
F. 
Hearing. Any person ordered to take emergency measures shall comply with such order forthwith. Any affected person shall thereafter, upon petition directed to the appeals board, be afforded a hearing as described in this code.
A. 
General. The Code Officer shall order the owner of any premises upon which is located any structure, which in the Code Officer's judgment is so old, dilapidated or has become so out of repair as to be dangerous, unsafe, unsanitary or otherwise unfit for human habitation or occupancy, and such that it is unreasonable to repair the structure, to demolish and remove such structure; or if such structure is capable of being made safe by repairs, to repair and make safe and sanitary or to demolish and remove at the owner's option; or where there has been a cessation of normal construction of any structure for a period of more than two years, to demolish and remove such structure.
B. 
Notices and orders. All notices and orders shall comply with § 220-7.
C. 
Failure to comply. If the owner of a premises fails to comply with a demolition order within the time prescribed, the Code Officer shall cause the structure to be demolished and removed, either through an available public agency or by contract or arrangement with private persons, and the cost of such demolition and removal shall be charged against the real estate upon which the structure is located and shall be a lien upon such real estate.
D. 
Salvage materials. When any structure has been ordered demolished and removed, the Borough or other designated officer under said contract or arrangement aforesaid shall have the right to sell the salvage and valuable materials at the highest price obtainable. The net proceeds of such sale, after deducting the expenses of such demolition and removal, shall be promptly remitted with a report of such sale or transaction, including the items of expense and the amounts deducted, for the person who is entitled thereto, subject to any order of a court. If such a surplus does not remain to be turned over, the report shall so state.
A. 
Stop-work and cease-and-desist orders. When, in the opinion of the Code Officer, there is an unlawful activity being conducted at a property, or work associated with the abatement of a violation is not being performed properly; or there exists an activity or condition that is detrimental to the peace and good order of the community, or is causing a public nuisance, and the continuation of such activities or conditions will only further exasperate the situation, then the Code Officer may issue a "Stop Work" or "Cease and Desist" order on those persons responsible for such activities or conditions.
B. 
Failure to comply. Any persons responsible for activities or conditions prohibited in a cease-and-desist order, which fail to obey such orders, shall be subject to the violations and penalties as outlined in § 220-6D.
(1) 
Separate violations. Failure to comply with a "Stop Work" and or "Cease and Desist" order shall be considered a separate violation, where such activities or conditions do not require prior notice as spelled out in this code.
A. 
Application for appeal. Any person directly affected by a decision of the Code Officer or a notice or order issued under this code shall have the right to appeal to the Board of Appeals, provided that a written application for appeal is filed within 20 days after the day the decision, notice or order was served and all fees associated with such appeals are submitted in accordance to the Borough's fee schedule. An application for appeal shall be addressed to the chairperson of the Borough's Appeals Board and shall be limited to claims that the true intent of this code or the rules legally adopted there under have been incorrectly interpreted, the provisions of this code do not fully apply, or the requirements of this code are adequately satisfied by other means.
B. 
Membership of the Appeals Board. The Appeals Board shall consist of a minimum of three members appointed by the Borough Council, who are qualified by experience and training to pass on matters pertaining to property maintenance, and general matters involving code enforcement, and who are not employees of the jurisdiction. The Code Officer shall be an ex officio member but shall have no vote on any matter before the committee. The members shall serve terms as determined by the Borough Code.
(1) 
Chairperson. The Appeals Board shall annually select one of its members to serve as Chairperson.
(2) 
Disqualification of member. A member shall not hear an appeal in which that member has a personal, professional or financial interest.
(3) 
Secretary. The Appeals Board shall annually appoint an individual to serve as secretary to the Appeals Board. The secretary shall file a detailed record of all proceedings in the office of the Borough Manager.
(4) 
Compensation of members. Compensation of members shall be at the discretion of Borough Council and as permitted by law.
C. 
Notice of meeting. The Appeals Board shall meet upon notice from the Chairperson, within 30 days of the filing of an appeal, or at stated periodic meetings.
D. 
Open hearing. All hearings before the Appeals Board shall be open to the public. The appellant, the appellant's representative, the Code Officer and any person whose interests are affected shall be given an opportunity to be heard. A quorum shall consist of not less than 2/3 of the Appeals Board membership.
(1) 
Hearing procedures. The Appeals Board shall adopt and make available to the public through the secretary procedures under which a hearing will be conducted. The procedures shall not require compliance with strict rules of evidence, but shall mandate that only relevant information be received.
E. 
Postponed hearing. When the full Appeals Board is not present to hear an appeal, either the appellant or the appellant's representative shall have the right to request a postponement of the hearing.
F. 
Appeals Board decision. The Appeals Board shall consider all facts relevant to the appeal. The committee may modify or reverse the decision of the Code Officer only by a concurring vote of a majority of the total number of appointed Appeals Board members present, but in no case shall the decision deviate from the spirit and intent of the code.
(1) 
Records and copies. The decision of the Appeals Board shall be recorded. Copies shall be furnished to the appellant and to the Code Officer.
(2) 
Administration. The Code Officer shall take immediate action in accordance with the decision of the Appeals Board.
G. 
Court review. Any person, whether or not a previous party of the appeal, shall have the right to apply to the appropriate court for a writ of certiorari to correct errors of law. Application for review shall be made in the manner and time required by law following the filing of the decision in the office of the chief administrative officer.
H. 
Stays of enforcement. Appeals of notice and orders (other than imminent danger notices) shall stay the enforcement of the notice and order until the appeal is heard by the Appeals Board.