The Code Administration Office shall administer a Compliance Inspection Program, in the interest of the health, safety and welfare of the public, in order to ensure that all commercial property owners comply with the requirements of this chapter. This process shall include inspection of commercial properties for building code and life-safety compliance whether a portion of the property is occupied by an owner or tenant(s) (a "mixed-use property"), or and whether or not the property is vacant.
A. 
Revenue generated through this chapter shall supplement the general fund account of the Department of Public Safety to be used to affect the intent and purpose of this chapter.
The following words shall have their corresponding meanings for the purpose of this chapter, in addition to those which have already been defined in City ordinances or laws of the commonwealth. In the event that any definition is inconsistent with the definitions set forth herein, the definitions herein shall govern for the purposes of the instant chapter.
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE
A written document issued by a Code Enforcement Officer when the property or unit thereof is in compliance with life safety and other applicable code.
CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY
A written document issued by a building official acting on behalf of the City of Sunbury in accordance with the UCC, indicating that the property is in compliance with code and approved for occupancy for the permitted zoning use according to the standards of the Uniform Construction Code (UCC).
CITY
The City of Sunbury, County of Northumberland, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
CODE
The Uniform Construction Code (UCC) as adopted by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; the International Property Maintenance Code as adopted by the City of Sunbury; and the Zoning Code of the City; and/or any code, ordinance, or laws adopted, enacted, and/or in effect in and for the City of Sunbury or the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
A duly appointed officer or inspector employed by the City or a certified third-party agency contracted by the City for the purpose of administration and enforcement of code, and any assistants and/or agents thereof.
COMMERCIAL PROPERTY
A. 
Any structure, building or premises that is zoned for commercial use, and that is subject to regulation under applicable fire and building codes, including uses on both public and private properties; or
B. 
A mixed-use building with both commercial and residential units; or
C. 
A property with three or more residential rental units.
DELINQUENT TAXES
Includes delinquent taxes relative only to the City of Sunbury. Shall not include school, county, state, or federal taxes.
INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE
The property maintenance code adopted and amended by the City of Sunbury (see Chapter 130, Property Maintenance) as administered and enforced by the City's Code Enforcement Officers.
MIXED-USE PROPERTY
A commercial property within which a portion or portions are designated for residential occupancy by owner or tenant.
OCCUPANT
Includes owners, managers, agents, any tenants and/or guests, any business employee or invitee or patron.
OWNER
One or more persons, jointly or severally, in whom is vested all or part of the legal title to the property, or all or part of the beneficial ownership and a right to the present use and enjoyment of the premises.
PERSON
Any individual, agent, corporation, firm, partnership, association, organization, or any other group acting as a unit. It shall also include an executor, administrator, trustee, receiver or other representative appointed according to law. When the word "person" is used in any section of this chapter prescribing a penalty or fine, as to partnerships or association, the word shall include the partners or members thereof, and as to corporations, shall include the officers, agents or members thereof who are responsible for any violation of such section.
POLICE
The Police Department of the City of Sunbury, or any properly authorized member or officer thereof, or any other law enforcement agency having jurisdiction within the City of Sunbury.
RESIDENTIAL UNIT
A portion of a commercial property or mixed-use property specified for use as a dwelling unit for owner or for lease or rent to be occupied by tenant(s) for residential purposes.
TENANT
A person occupying all or a portion of a property with whom a legal interest and legal relationship with the property owner is established by a lease, sublease, or agreement of some nature or by the laws of the City of Sunbury and/or the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
UNIFORM CONSTRUCTION CODE (UCC)
Pennsylvania's statewide building code which the City has opted into relative to administration and enforcement by Code Enforcement Officers employed by the City or by a certified third-party agency. Codes and standards enforced under UCC are the International Codes issued by the International Code Council, and the provisions amended by the UCC Review and Advisory Council.
UNIT
A building or a portion of a building specified for commercial or residential use, whether by owner or tenant, and being separated from other such units in the same structure or premises by having its own means of entry and security. Excludes approved storage facilities.
UNOCCUPIED UNIT
A unit that is not occupied by a tenant or owner.
ZONING USE PERMIT
A written document issued by a Zoning Enforcement Officer documenting that the stated use of the property is in compliance with the Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 175) or such use has been approved by the Zoning Hearing Board.
This chapter applies to commercial properties as defined herein, as well as any portion of said properties not defined as commercial, whether occupied or unoccupied. The provisions herein shall not apply to any property owned by the United States government, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Northumberland County, the City of Sunbury, or any other governmental entity or their respective agencies or subdivisions.
A. 
For commercial properties consisting only of three or more residential rental units, the Residential Rental Property Ordinance[1] shall apply.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 134, Residential Rental Property.
B. 
For mixed-use properties, provisions of the Residential Rental Property Ordinance shall also apply to said residential portions thereof for which a housing permit is maintained and in effect.
C. 
The inspection of commercial properties (including vacant residential units of mixed-use properties for which no housing permit is maintained) under this chapter shall be considered a cumulative inspection of the entire structure, whether occupied or unoccupied, and shall serve as the required inspection for certificate of compliance therefor.