[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
A certain document, three copies of which are on file in the Office of the Secretary of the Township of Spring, being marked and designated as the International Property Maintenance Code, 2018 edition, as published by the International Code Council, be and is hereby adopted as the Property Maintenance Code of the Township of Spring, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, for regulating and governing the conditions and maintenance of all property, buildings and structures by providing the standards for supplied utilities and facilities and other physical things and conditions essential to ensure that structures are safe, sanitary and fit for occupation and use; the condemnation of buildings and structures unfit for human occupancy and use, and for the demolition of such existing structures as herein provided; providing for the issuance of permits and collection of fees therefor; and each and all of the regulations, provisions, penalties, conditions and terms of said Property Maintenance Code on file in the Office of the Secretary of the Township of Spring are hereby referred to, adopted, and made a part hereof, as if fully set out in this section, with the additions, insertions, deletions and changes, if any, prescribed as follows:
A.
Title is amended and restated in its entirety as follows:
101.1. Title.
These regulations shall be known as the International Property Maintenance Code of the Township of Spring, Berks County, Pennsylvania (the "Township") and is hereinafter referred to as this "Code."
B.
Fees is amended and restated in its entirety as follows:
103.5. Fees.
Fees assessable by the Township for the administration and enforcement undertaken pursuant to this Code shall be established by the Board of Supervisors of the Township by resolution from time to time."
C.
Prosecution of Violation is amended and restated in its entirety as follows:
106.3. Prosecution of Violation.
Any person failing to comply with a notice of violation or order served in accordance with Section 107 of the Code shall be deemed guilty of a summary offense or civil infraction as determined by the Township, and the violation shall be deemed a strict liability offense. If the notice of violation is not complied with, the code official 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 the code or of the order or direction made pursuant thereto. Any action taken by the authority having jurisdiction on such premises shall be charged against the real estate upon which the structure is located and shall be a lien upon such real estate."
D.
Failure to Comply is amended and restated in its entirety as follows:
112.4. Failure to Comply.
Any person who shall continue any work after having been served with a stop-work order, except such work as that person is directed to perform to remove a violation or unsafe condition, shall be liable to a fine of not less than $100 or more than $1,000.
E.
Weeds is amended and restated in its entirety as follows:
302.4. Weeds.
Premises and exterior property shall be maintained free from weeds or plant growth in excess of eight inches on improved property and 18 inches on unimproved property. Noxious weeds shall be prohibited. Weeds shall be defined as all grasses, annual plants and vegetation, other than trees or shrubs provided; however, this term shall not include cultivated flowers and gardens.
Upon failure of the owner or agent having charge of a property to cut and destroy weeds after service of a notice of violation, they shall be subject to prosecution in accordance with Section 106.3 and as prescribed by the Township. Upon failure to comply with the notice of violation, any duly authorized employee of the Township or contractor hired by the Township shall be authorized to enter upon the property in violation and cut and destroy the weeds growing thereon, and the costs of such removal shall be paid by the owner or agent responsible for the property.
F.
Insect Screens is amended and restated in its entirety as follows:
304.14. Insect Screens.
During the period from June 1 to October 1, every door, window and other outside opening required for ventilation of habitable rooms, food preparation areas, food service areas or any areas where products to be included or utilized in food for human consumption are processed, manufactured, packaged or stored shall be supplied with approved tightly fitting screens of minimum 16 mesh per inch (16 mesh per 25 mm), and every screen door used for insect control shall have a self-closing device in good working condition.
Exception: Screens shall not be required where other approved means, such as air curtains or insect repellent fans, are employed.
G.
Heat Supply is amended and restated in its entirety as follows:
602.3. Heat Supply.
Every owner and operator of any building who rents, leases or lets one or more dwelling units or sleeping units on terms, either expressed or implied, to furnish heat to the occupants thereof shall supply heat during the period from October 1 to June 1 to maintain a minimum temperature of 68° F. (20° C.) in all habitable rooms, bathrooms and toilet rooms.
Exceptions:
1. | When the outdoor temperature is below the winter outdoor design temperature for the locality, maintenance of the minimum room temperature shall not be required provided that the heating system is operating at its full design capacity. The winter outdoor design temperature for the locality shall be as indicated in Appendix D of the International Plumbing Code. |
2. | In areas where the average monthly temperature is above 30° F. (-1° C.) a minimum temperature of 65° F. (18° C.) shall be maintained." |
H.
Occupiable Work Spaces is amended and restated in its entirety as follows:
602.4. Occupiable Work Spaces.
Indoor occupiable work spaces shall be supplied with heat during the period from October 1 to June 1 to maintain a minimum temperature of 65° F. (18° C.) during the period the spaces are occupied."
I.
Receptacles is amended and restated in its entirety as follows:
605.2. Receptacles.
Every habitable space in a dwelling shall contain not less than two separate and remote receptacle outlets. Every kitchen counter-top receptacle, bathroom receptacle and laundry area receptacle outlet shall have ground fault circuit interrupter protection. All receptacles shall have the appropriate faceplate cover for the location.