[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of Mount Jewett 2-7-2000 by Ord. No. 213. Amendments noted where applicable.]
A. 
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated, unless a different meaning clearly appears from the context:
BUILDING
An independent structure having a roof supported by columns or walls, resting on its own foundation, and includes a dwelling, garage, barn, stable, shed, greenhouse, mobile home, plant factory, warehouse, school or similar structure.
DANGEROUS BUILDING
All buildings or structures which have any or all of the following defects shall be deemed "dangerous buildings":
(1) 
Those whose interior walls or other vertical structural members list, lean or buckle to such an extent that a plumb line passing through the center of gravity falls outside of the middle third of its base.
(2) 
Those which, exclusive of the foundation, show damage or deterioration to 33% of the supporting member or members or damage or deterioration to 50% of the nonsupporting enclosing or outside walls or covering.
(3) 
Those which have improperly distributed loads upon the floors or roofs or in which the same are overloaded or which have insufficient strength to be reasonably safe for the purpose used.
(4) 
Those which have been damaged by fire, wind or other causes so as to be dangerous to life, safety or the general health and welfare of the occupants or the public.
(5) 
Those which are so damaged, dilapidated, decayed, unsafe, unsanitary or vermin-infested or which so utterly fail to provide the amenities essential to decent living that they are unfit for human habitation or are likely to cause sickness or disease, so as to work injury to the health, safety or general welfare of those living therein.
(6) 
Those which have parts thereof which are so attached that they may fall and injure property or members of the public.
(7) 
Those which lack illumination, ventilation or sanitation facilities or, because of another condition, are unsafe, unsanitary or dangerous to the health, safety or general welfare of the occupants or the public.
(8) 
Those which, because of their location, are unsanitary or otherwise dangerous to the health or safety of the occupants or the public.
(9) 
Those existing in violation of any provision of the Building Code,[1] or other ordinances of the Borough of Mount Jewett.
DWELLING
Any room or group of rooms located within a dwelling and forming a single habitable unit with facilities which are used or intended to be used for living or sleeping by human occupants.
EXTERMINATION
Control and elimination of insects, rodents or other pests by eliminating their harborage places, removing or making inaccessible materials that may serve as their food, poisoning, spraying, fumigating, trapping or by any other recognized and legal pest-elimination methods.
GARBAGE
Animal and vegetable wastes resulting from the handling, preparation, cooking and consumption of food.
INFESTATION
The presence, within or around a dwelling, or any insects, rodents or other pests.
OWNER
The person who, alone or jointly or severally with others:
(1) 
Shall have legal title to any dwelling or dwelling units, with or without accompanying actual possession thereof; or
(2) 
Shall have charge, care or control of any dwelling or dwelling units, as owner or agent of the owner, or as executor, executrix, administrator, administratrix or guardian of the estate of the owner. Any such person thus representing the factual owner shall be bounded to comply with the provisions of this chapter and with rules and regulation adopted pursuant thereto, to the same extent as if he were the owner.
PERSON
Any individual, firm, corporation, association or partnership or other legal entity.
PROPERTY
A piece, parcel, lot or tract of land.
RUBBISH
Combustible and noncombustible waste materials, except garbage, including residue from the burning of wood, coal, coke and other combustible material, paper, rags, cartons, boxes, wood excelsior, rubber, leather, tree branches, yard trimmings, tin cans, metals, mineral matter, glass crockery and dust.
STRUCTURE
Any things constructed or erected with a fixed or ascertainable location on the ground or in water, whether or not affixed to the ground or anchored in the water, including buildings, walls, fences, platforms, docks, wharves, billboards, signs and walks.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 203, Construction Code, Uniform.
B. 
Wherever the words "dwelling," "dwelling unit" and premises" are used in this chapter, they shall be construed as though they were followed by the words "or any part thereof."
The Borough Council of the Borough of Mt. Jewett may appoint a Building Inspector pursuant to 8 Pa.C.S.A. § 32A05. Such individual shall be of sound judgment and a resident of the Borough of Mt. Jewett, shall answer to the Borough Council and may be removed at any time by a majority of same.
All dangerous buildings within the terms of § 178-1 of this chapter are hereby declared to be public nuisances and shall be repaired, vacated or demolished as herein provided.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See also Art. III, Property Maintenance, of Ch. 318, Nuisances.
The following standards shall be followed in substance by the Borough Council of Mt. Jewett Borough in ordering repair, vacation or demolition:
A. 
If the dangerous building can reasonably be repaired so that it will not longer exist in violation of the terms of this chapter, it shall be ordered to be repaired.
B. 
If the dangerous building is in such condition as to make it dangerous to the health, safety or general welfare of its occupants or the public and is so declared, it shall be ordered vacated within such length of time, not exceeding 30 days, as is reasonable.
C. 
No dwelling or dwelling unit which has been placarded as unfit for human habitation shall again be used for human habitation until written approval is secured from, and such placard is removed by, the Building Inspector. The Building Inspector shall remove such placard whenever the defect or defects upon which the placarding action was based have been eliminated.
D. 
If a dangerous building is 50% or more damaged or decayed or deteriorated from its original condition; if a dangerous building cannot be repaired so that it will not longer be existing in violation of the terms of this chapter; or if a dangerous building is a fire hazard existing or erected in violation of the terms of this chapter of any ordinance of the Borough of Mt. Jewett or statute of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, it shall be ordered to be demolished, provided that the cost of repairs to rectify or remove the conditions constituting the nuisance exceeds 50% of the market value of the building at the time demolition is proposed.
A. 
The Building Inspector shall inspect, on a regular basis, dwellings, buildings and structures to determine whether any conditions exist which render such premises dangerous buildings within the terms of § 178-1 above.
B. 
Whenever an inspection discloses that a dwelling, building or structure has become a public nuisance, the Building Inspector shall issue a written notice to the person or persons responsible therefore. The notice:
(1) 
Shall be in writing.
(2) 
Shall include a statement of the reasons it is being issued.
(3) 
Shall state a reasonable time to rectify the conditions constituting the nuisance or to remove and demolish the dwelling, building or structure.
(4) 
Shall be served upon the owner or his agent or the occupant, as the case may require.
(a) 
Except in emergency cases and where the owner, occupant, lessee or mortgagee is absent from the Borough of Mt. Jewett, all notices shall be deemed to be properly served upon the owner, occupant or other person having an interest in the dangerous building if a copy thereof is served upon him personally or if a copy thereof is posted in a conspicuous place in or about the structure affected by the notice or if he is served with such notice by any other method authorized or required under the laws of the commonwealth.
(b) 
Except in emergency cases, in all other cases where the owner, occupant, lessee or mortgagee is absent from the Borough of Mt. Jewett, all notices or orders provided for herein shall be sent by registered mail to the owner, occupant and all other persons having an interest in said building, as shown by the records of the County Recorder of Deeds, to the last known address of each, and a copy of such notice shall be posted in a conspicuous place on the dangerous building to which it relates. Such mailing and posting shall be deemed adequate service.
(5) 
May contain an outline of remedial action which, if taken, will effect compliance with the provisions of this chapter and with the rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto.
A. 
Any person affected by any notice which has been issued in connection with the enforcement of any provision of this chapter may request and shall be granted a hearing on the matter before the Building Inspector, provided that such person shall file with the Building Inspector a written petition requesting such hearing and setting forth a brief statement of the grounds therefor within 10 days after the day the notice was served. Upon receipt of such petition, the Building Inspector shall set a time and place for such hearing and shall give the petitioner written notice thereof. At such hearing, the petition shall be given an opportunity to be heard and to show why such notice should be modified or withdrawn. The hearing shall be commenced not later than 20 days after the day on which the petition was filed.
B. 
After such hearing, the Building Inspector shall sustain, modify or withdraw the notice. If the Building Inspector sustains or modifies such notice, it shall be deemed to be an order. Any notice served pursuant to this chapter shall automatically become an order if a written petition for hearing is not filed with the Building Inspector within 10 days after such notice is served.
C. 
Any aggrieved party may appeal the final order to the Borough Council in accordance with the provisions of the Local Agency Law.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See 2 Pa.C.S.A. § 551 et seq.
No unauthorized person shall remove or deface the notice of dangerous building.
Whenever the Building Inspector finds that an emergency exists which requires immediate action to protect the public health, he may, without notice or hearing, issue an order reciting the existence of such an emergency and requiring that such action be taken as is necessary to meet the emergency. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this chapter, such order shall be effective immediately. Any person to whom such order is directed shall comply therewith immediately but, upon petition to the Building Inspector, shall be afforded a hearing as soon as possible. After such hearing, depending upon the findings as to whether the provisions of this chapter have been complied with, the Building Inspector shall continue such order in effect or modify or revoke it. The costs of such emergency repair, vacation or demolition of such a dangerous building shall be collected in the same manner as provided herein for other cases.
If the owner, occupant, mortgagee or lessee fails to comply with the order of the Building Inspector within the time specified in the notice issued by the Building Inspector, the Building Inspector shall cause such building or structure to be repaired, vacated or demolished as the facts may warrant, under the standards hereinbefore provided. The Borough of Mt. Jewett may collect the cost of such repair, vacation or demolition, together with a penalty of 10% of such cost, in the manner provided by law.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
Any person, firm or corporation who or which shall violate any provision of this chapter shall, upon his or its first conviction thereof, be sentenced to pay a fine of not less than $25 nor more than $1,000; upon his or its second conviction thereof, be sentenced to pay a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $1,000; and upon his or its third subsequent conviction thereof, be sentenced to pay a fine of not less than $500 nor more than $1,000. 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 a violation of this chapter continues after notice shall constitute a separate offense.
All ordinances or parts of ordinances inconsistent with this chapter shall be and the same expressly are repealed.