[Ord. No. 2008-04, 3/18/2008]
An owner of a dwelling unit, housekeeping unit, rooming unit or rooming house in the Township must hold a valid rental permit issued by the Code Enforcement Officer ("Code Enforcement Officer" or "Code Officer") prior to leasing or renting such dwelling unit, housekeeping unit, rooming unit or rooming house.
[Ord. No. 2008-04, 3/18/2008]
1. 
An application for a rental permit shall be made in writing, signed and sworn to by the owner(s) of record, on forms furnished by the Code Officer with the applicable fee. Such form shall include the following information:
A. 
The names and addresses of all of the owners of the dwelling unit, housekeeping unit, rooming unit, or rooming house;
B. 
The name, address and telephone number of the person authorized to collect rents or fees from the dwelling unit, housekeeping unit, rooming unit or rooming house;
C. 
The name, local address and telephone numbers, business and home, of a local agent who is authorized to act on behalf of the owner, if any;
D. 
The address of the dwelling unit, housekeeping unit, rooming unit or rooming house;
E. 
The type of dwelling unit, housekeeping unit, rooming unit or rooming house;
F. 
The number of dwelling units or rooming units in the building for which a permit is sought; and
G. 
The names and addresses of the tenants/occupants of the dwelling unit, housekeeping unit, rooming unit or rooming house.
[Ord. No. 2008-04, 3/18/2008]
Every person applying for a rental permit shall supply such information as the Code Enforcement Officer requires and shall pay a yearly fee in accordance with the fee schedule adopted by resolution of the Board of Supervisors, which schedule shall be available for public inspection at the office of the Code Enforcement Officer.
[Ord. No. 2008-04, 3/18/2008]
Upon receipt of the fully completed application and the payment of the appropriate fee, the Code Enforcement Officer shall, within 10 business days, issue a rental permit to the owner or responsible local agent. In the event that the Code Enforcement Officer finds the premises to be in violation of this Part or any other Township ordinance or chapter in the Code of Ordinances of Valley Township, then said Code Officer shall issue the necessary notice and order as provided in this Part or the applicable Township ordinance to abate the violation. After reinspection of the premises and a determination by the Code Officer that it is in compliance with the Township ordinances and Code, the Code Enforcement Officer shall issue a rental permit to the owner(s) or responsible local agent, if any. The rental permit shall be maintained on the premises and be available for inspection by Township officials at all times.
[Ord. No. 2008-04, 3/18/2008]
Unless previously revoked or suspended, a rental permit shall remain in force for the remainder of the then-current calendar year. At or prior to the end of said calendar year, application shall be made for renewal of all such permits for the next succeeding calendar year. Yearly fees must be submitted to the Code Enforcement Officer by January 31 of each year.
[Ord. No. 2008-04, 3/18/2008]
1. 
The registration and permitting of all rental dwelling units, housekeeping units, rooming units and/or rooming houses shall occur within 90 days after the enactment of this part and, thereafter, by January 31 of each year. Notwithstanding the foregoing, rental permits previously issued pursuant to the Code of Ordinances of Valley Township for the year expiring December 31, 2008, shall remain valid, and persons holding such permits shall not be required to reregister and obtain another permit hereunder until their current permit expires.
2. 
In the event of a transfer of ownership of a dwelling unit, housekeeping unit, rooming unit or rooming house, the new owner shall notify the Code Enforcement Officer of the transfer not more than 10 days after the date of the transfer of ownership. The new owner shall provide the Code Enforcement Officer with all information that is requested on the permit application pursuant to § 11-102 of this Part.
[Ord. No. 2008-04, 3/18/2008]
It shall be unlawful for the owner(s) of any dwelling unit, housekeeping unit, rooming unit or rooming house, other than an owner-occupied single-family dwelling, or any agent acting for such an owner, to allow occupancy of any dwelling unit, housekeeping unit, rooming unit or rooming house by another or to represent to the general public that such premises or any part thereof is for rent, lease or occupancy unless such dwelling unit, housekeeping unit, rooming unit or rooming house is currently registered and permitted and said registration and permit have not been revoked, suspended or invalidated.
[Ord. No. 2008-04, 3/18/2008]
All official notices of the Township relating to the dwelling unit, housekeeping unit, rooming unit or rooming house shall comply with § 11-107 of this Code and be served on the owner of record or his or her designated local agent and shall be posted in a conspicuous place either within the dwelling unit, housekeeping unit, rooming unit or rooming house or the common area shared by all occupants of the premises.
[Ord. No. 2008-04, 3/18/2008]
1. 
Whenever the Code Enforcement Officer determines that there has been a violation of this Part or has reasonable grounds to believe that a violation of this Part has occurred, the Code Officer may suspend a rental permit giving notice as set forth in § 11-108. The suspension shall be in addition to and not in lieu of the remedies set forth in § 11-113, Violations and Penalties.
2. 
With the exception of building permits issued for replacement(s) or repairs to a rental property, no building permit, rental license(s), or rental license renewal(s) shall be issued for any dwelling unit, rooming house, or structure containing a housekeeping unit or rooming unit under this chapter and Part, for which there are delinquent water, sewer, or trash fees due the Township. A bill shall be considered delinquent if not paid within 90 days of its due date.
[Added by Ord. No. 2011-07, 11/1/2011]
[Ord. No. 2008-04, 3/18/2008]
The Code Officer is hereby authorized and directed to make inspections of the condition of any dwelling unit, housekeeping unit, rooming unit or rooming house located in the Township that is subject to the provisions of this Part. All non-owner-occupied units shall be inspected prior to initial occupancy, subsequent occupancy(ies) or once during a period not to exceed three years. Upon display of proper identification, the Code Enforcement Officer is authorized to enter, examine and survey such units and premises on weekdays during normal business hours or at such other time as may be necessary in an emergency or as mutually agreed upon by the owner and occupant and the Code Enforcement Officer.
[Ord. No. 2008-04, 3/18/2008]
1. 
Prior to each initial occupancy and each change in occupancy of any dwelling unit, housekeeping unit, rooming unit or rooming house, the owner, operator, or designated agent of either shall be jointly and severally liable to have the premises inspected by the Code Enforcement Officer. The owner, operator or designated agent shall file with such official notice of such change of occupancy on a form to be supplied by the Township, which form shall be signed by the owner, operator, or designated agent as aforesaid and shall contain all of the following information:
A. 
The name of the owner and phone number.
B. 
The name of the owner's designated agent, if any, and phone number.
C. 
The location of the dwelling unit, housekeeping unit, rooming unit or rooming house.
D. 
The effective date of the change in occupancy.
[Ord. No. 2008-04, 3/18/2008]
Any person aggrieved by a determination of the Code Enforcement Officer under this Part shall, upon payment of a fee that may, from time to time, be established by the Board of Supervisors ("Board"), be entitled to appeal the determination to the Board. The appeal shall be decided by the Board, after public hearing, by written decision. The public hearing shall be held within 30 days of the filing of the appeal, including payment of the appropriate fee, with the Township Secretary. The Board shall enter its written decision on the appeal within 20 days after the final hearing.
[Ord. No. 2008-04, 3/18/2008]
Any owner who shall violate any provision of this Part or shall violate or fail to comply with any order made by the Codes Enforcement Officer shall be subject to prosecution for a summary offense and, upon conviction therefor, subject to a fine of not more than $1,000 plus costs, or to a term of imprisonment not to exceed 90 days, or both such fine and imprisonment. Each day that a violation continues, following notice thereof, shall constitute a separate offense.
[Ord. No. 2008-05, 3/4/2008]
Whenever there is a change in ownership or transfer of title to an existing building or structure which would have required an occupancy permit for its use or initial occupancy, or when the tenant changes in a commercial property, or upon written request from the owner of an existing building or structure, the Code Enforcement Officer or his designee shall perform all inspections required by this Part and shall issue a certificate of use and occupancy, when satisfied that there are no violations of Township codes.
[Ord. No. 2008-05, 3/4/2008]
The inspection fee for the issuance of a certificate of use and occupancy required under § 11-201 above shall be established by resolution of the Board of Supervisors, and may be amended from time to time. The inspection fee shall cover the initial inspection and one follow-up inspection. Each subsequent follow-up reinspection will be charged at a rate to be determined by resolution of the Board of Supervisors. The initial fee must be paid at the Township Building at the time of application and any subsequent reinspections that are required must be paid at the Township Building prior to reinspection appointment.
[Ord. No. 2008-05, 3/4/2008]
1. 
Inspection of residential properties shall include the following items and no others:
A. 
Sanitary sewer systems inflow.
(1) 
Sump pump, floor drains and roof downspout drains are not to be connected to the public sanitary sewer nor any on-lot wastewater system.
(2) 
(Public sewer only) Exterior vent/trap and cleanout for the sewer lateral must be properly capped. The vent must be a minimum of six inches above the ground.
B. 
Public water supply must have a pressure reducing valve on the service line and the curb box must be intact if applicable.
C. 
Handrails and Guardrails.
(1) 
Handrails (exterior and interior) are to be on one side of the stairs with four or more risers, securely attached, and in good condition. If handrail is to be replaced or installed, it must comply with current codes.
(2) 
Guardrails (exterior and interior) to be on both sides of open stairs or surfaces exceeding 30 inches above floor/grade, securely attached, and in good condition. If guardrail is to be replaced or installed, it must comply with current codes.
D. 
Fuel-Burning Heating Systems. Verification shall be provided that within the last 365 days the oil or gas heating system has been serviced by a qualified service contractor. In lieu of such verification, a copy of the fuel-burning system section of a home inspectors report completed within the last 60 days which confirms that the fuel-burning system is in proper working order will suffice.
E. 
The face end of the mailbox must be located behind the curb or edge of road.
F. 
An operable smoke detector shall be installed in each room used for sleeping purposes. In addition, one operable smoke detector shall be placed in the hallway adjacent to the sleeping areas and on each level of the property, including the basement.
G. 
All dwellings shall have approved address numbers placed in a position to be plainly legible and visible from the street or road fronting the property. The numbers shall contrast with their background. Address numbers shall be Arabic numerals or alphabet letters. Numbers shall be a minimum of four inches high with a minimum stroke width of 0.5 inch.
H. 
All blank spaces (if any) in the fuse box are to be properly filled.
I. 
All windows and doors shall operate as designed from inside each room without the use of keys or tools (e.g., all windows when raised must remain in raised position).
J. 
All hot-water heaters must have a blow-off pipe attached to the emergency relief valve. Said pipe must be extended to just above floor level.
[Ord. No. 2008-05, 3/4/2008]
1. 
Inspection of nonresidential properties shall include all items inspected under the International Property Maintenance Code, 2003 Edition, and those items that are inspected for residential property inspections with the following additions:
A. 
Means of Safe Egress.
(1) 
A safe, continuous and unobstructed means of egress shall be provided from the interior of the structure to the public way. All doors shall open easily outward.
(2) 
Capacity of the exits shall be sufficient to serve the occupant load.
(3) 
All means of egress shall be indicated with approved, maintained visible and/or illuminated exit signs where required.
(4) 
A sign shall be provided at each floor landing on interior stairways more than three stories above grade.
(5) 
Dead-end travel distances shall not exceed 70 feet where the building is equipped with an automatic sprinkler system and not more than 35 feet for those buildings which are not so equipped.
B. 
Fire-Resistant Structures.
(1) 
Floors, walls, ceilings and other elements and components are in good condition and have the required fire-resistance ratings.
(2) 
Fire doors and smoke barriers are in proper working order and shall not be held open by doorstops, wedges or other unapproved hold-open devices.
C. 
Fire Protection Systems:
(1) 
The proper devices and equipment to detect a fire, activate an alarm or suppress or control a fire are in proper working order.
(2) 
Fire extinguishers are properly located and of the approved type for the areas of use. The extinguisher shall be visible, provided with ready access and maintained in an efficient and safe operating condition in accordance with NFPA and any amendments thereto.
[Ord. No. 2008-05, 3/4/2008]
1. 
It is the responsibility of the seller or the seller's agent to request the inspection required by this Part.
2. 
Application for a use and occupancy inspection shall occur at least 14 days prior to the scheduled transfer or settlement of said property.
3. 
A follow-up inspection, if necessary, shall be made no later than four days prior to the scheduled transfer or settlement of said property.
4. 
Inspections shall occur during normal business hours and are scheduled on a first-come first-serve basis.
5. 
A temporary use and occupancy permit may be issued if the required correction items may take longer than two weeks and if the buyer(s) certifies that there is no significant public safety reason to delay the transfer. The buyer(s) will be required to sign a notarized affidavit and complete all required correction items consistent with a schedule approved in writing by the Township Code Enforcement Officer. The buyer(s) is/are then responsible to obtain a final use and occupancy certificate and pay any reinspection fees that may be required. The notarized affidavit, signed by the buyer(s), must be provided to the Township at least 48 hours prior to the scheduled transfer or settlement of said property.
[Ord. No. 2008-05, 3/4/2008]
It shall be unlawful for any owner to sell or transfer his or her property, or any interest therein, without delivering to the purchaser, at or before the time of settlement, either the use and occupancy permit or the temporary use and occupancy permit issued by the Code Enforcement Officer and required by this Part. Said use and occupancy permit shall specify if there are any uncorrected violations of the Township's housing, building, safety or fire codes, all of which violations shall, after settlement or transfer of the property, be the responsibility of the buyer(s)/transferee(s).
[Ord. No. 2008-05, 3/4/2008]
Any person aggrieved by a determination of the Code Enforcement Officer under this Part shall, upon payment of a fee that may, from time to time, be established by the Board of Supervisors ("Board"), be entitled to appeal the determination to the Board. The appeal shall be decided by the Board, after public hearing, by written decision. The public hearing shall be held within 30 days of the filing of the appeal, including payment of the appropriate fee, with the Township Secretary. The Board shall enter its written decision on the appeal within 20 days after the final hearing.
[Ord. No. 2008-05, 3/4/2008]
Any owner who shall violate any provision of this Part or shall violate or fail to comply with any order made by the Code Enforcement Officer shall be subject to prosecution for a summary offense and, upon conviction therefor, subject to a fine of not more than $1,000 plus costs, or to a term of imprisonment not to exceed 90 days, or both such fine and imprisonment. Each day that a violation continues, following notice thereof, shall constitute a separate offense.