[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of Royersford as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Adopted 8-9-1977 by Ord. No. 549 (Ch. 11, Part 1, of the 1990 Borough Code of Ordinances)]
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
EMERGENCY
An unforeseen occurrence or condition calling for immediate action; a crisis or a time of difficulty or danger, including but not limited to a natural disaster or man-made calamity including flood, conflagration, tornado, earthquake, or explosion, or extreme weather conditions within the limits of the Borough, resulting in the actual or potential death or injury of persons and/or the destruction of property to such an extent that extraordinary measures must be taken to protect the public health, safety, and welfare; an event or any condition of or use of premises which is detrimental to the property or safety of others and which causes or tends to cause substantial opportunity for danger to persons or other property.
A. 
This article applies only to nonresidential property owners or owners of leased, uninhabited or vacant property in the Borough. This article does not apply to owner-occupied properties.
B. 
Uninhabited and vacant premises shall be defined as premises which are vacant and uninhabited for 30 consecutive days unless the Police Department is otherwise notified.
Within 60 days after the adoption of this article, all nonresident property owners of property within the Borough and owners of leased, uninhabited or vacant premises within the Borough shall provide to the Borough Manager the name of the property owner or his authorized representative, together with the address and phone number of such property owner or authorized representative so that such person can be located and contacted in the event of an emergency.
In the event of an emergency, as hereinbefore defined, as declared by the Mayor of the Borough of Royersford, or, in his absence, by the President of the Borough Council, either for all properties in the Borough or for a specific property or subject matter, the Borough Manager or his designated representative shall make a reasonable effort to contact the nonresident property owner or owner of leased, uninhabited or vacant premises or his authorized representative to advise them of the emergency and to take steps to correct the emergency or to obtain permission for purpose of access to the property to correct the emergency condition.
[Amended 10-30-1990 by Ord. No. 715]
In the event that the nonresident property owner or owner of leased, uninhabited or vacant premises or his authorized representative cannot be located, or has failed to provide an address or phone number where such person can be located, the Borough Manager, the Chief of Police and the Building Code Official are hereby authorized to enter such premises which are owned by nonresidents of the Borough or premises which are leased, uninhabited or vacant, where the emergency or detrimental condition exists in order to treat or otherwise terminate the emergency or detrimental condition.
In the event that the Borough is unable to located the nonresident property owner or the owner of leased, uninhabited or vacant premises or his authorized representative and the Borough removes or terminates the emergency condition, the owner or the subject premises shall reimburse the Borough for the cost thereof plus 10% in accordance with law.
[Adopted 12-9-2009 by Ord. No. 820 (Ch. 4, Part 1, of the 1990 Borough Code of Ordinances)]
The Borough recognizes the importance and significance of the registration of real estate transactions for the proper and effective flow of commerce within the local real estate market. Further, the Borough recognizes that there is an expense associated with retrieving, certifying and delivering records and maintaining an accurate and current real estate registry system.
For the purpose of obtaining and securing accurate information in reference to the ownership of all real estate within the corporate limits of the Borough, a real estate registry is hereby established as permitted by the Pennsylvania Borough Code, 8 Pa.C.S.A. § 1202(61), to show the situation, dimensions and location of each property in the Borough as well as the name and address of the owner or owners thereof, with provision for the names of future owners and dates of future transfer of title.
The real estate registry created hereunder shall be prepared and maintained by the Borough Secretary under the direction of Borough Council. The registry shall be comprised of all necessary books, maps and plans required to maintain an accurate record of each property within the Borough. The said books, maps and plans shall be carefully preserved at Borough Hall and shall be so kept by addition, from time to time or otherwise, as to show the ownership of every lot or piece of real estate or the subdivision thereof within the municipal limits, with the successive transmission of title from the date of the commencement of such maps or plans; and certified copies, under the entries in said book or upon such maps or plans, may be furnished to any person desiring the same for the fee or compensation of $0.25 per page for the use of the Borough.
The Registry, including the books, maps and/or plans which comprise the same, shall be carefully preserved and shall be so kept, by additions from time to time, as to show the ownership of each property within the Borough; but nothing contained therein shall, at any time, invalidate any municipal or tax claim by reason of the fact that the same is not assessed or levied against the registered owner.
It shall be the duty of all owners of unregistered real estate within the Borough's corporate limits, within one month from the date of the approval of this article (and of any subsequent purchaser, devisee or person acquiring title, in any manner whatsoever, to any real estate therein within one month after acquiring title) to furnish to the said Secretary, at his office, descriptions of their respective properties, upon blanks to be furnished by the Borough Secretary and, at the same time, present their conveyances to be stamped by the Secretary, without charge, as evidence of the registry thereof.
Within two days of recording a deed or conveyance with the County Recorder of Deeds, it shall be the duty of all owners of real estate, or their agent, to deliver or send a copy of the deed as submitted with the Recorder of Deeds by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, to the Borough.
[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 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 court costs and reasonable attorneys' fees incurred by the Borough in the enforcement proceedings. Upon judgment against any person by summary conviction, or by proceedings by summons on default of the payment of the fine or penalty imposed and the costs, the defendant may be sentenced and committed to the county correctional facility for a period not exceeding 30 days. Each day that such violation exists shall constitute a separate offense, and each section of this article that is violated shall also constitute a separate offense. In addition to or in lieu of enforcement under this section, the Borough may enforce this article in equity in the Court of Common Pleas of Montgomery County.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
The fee for the registration of any deed in the Borough of Royersford by any purchaser subsequent to the enactment of this article shall be as set by resolution of the Borough Council.