City Of Reading Property Maintenance Code

Applies to all existing structures, including both residential and non residential properties. The code addresses the following:

The administration, enforcement and penalties associated with the code.

The determination and assignment of the responsibility for code compliance among the owner, operator and occupant of a property.

The minimum property maintenance conditions for existing structures and premises in regard to structural safety, sanitation, health, and comfort.

Regulating the use of existing dwelling through the establishment of occupancy limitation in conjunction with zoning requirements.

Maintenance of means of egress and fire safety, with appropriate references to IFC along with any local fire department requirements.

The City of Reading, Pa, adopted new ordinance on October 26, 2005 which includes international property maintenance code 2003 provisions with some local amendments. A copy of this code is available with code services office, city council clerk’s office, and City of Reading library for your reading reference. This code also can be purchased from office code services for a cost of $20 only. The following requirements are some of the highlights of this new ordinance.

The smoke detectors/or alarms shall be provided for each bedroom, in immediate vicinity of bedrooms and at each level and shall be installed in accordance with code provisions and manufacturer’s installation instructions. Since smoke alarms are primary means by which dwelling and its occupants are protected from fire, they shall be properly maintained and routinely check for their safe operation.

The tenant shall maintain all smoke alarm detectors are located in rental units per code provisions.

The landlord is responsible to place a 3 lb. approved ABC type fire extinguisher in all kitchens containing cooking facilities.

Heating with kerosene or liquid fuel or gas type portable heater is permitted only in single family dwellings.

Ground fault circuit interrupters shall be provided in every laundry area. Every new receptacle installed in a bathroom must be a ground fault circuit interrupter type.

All electrical equipment, wiring and appliances shall be properly installed and maintained in a safe and approve manner.

Dwellings shall be provided with heating facilities capable of maintaining a room temperature of 68 degrees F (20 degrees C) in all habitable rooms, bathrooms and toilet rooms.

Every dwelling unit shall contain its own bathtub or shower, lavatory, water closet and kitchen sing which shall be maintained in a sanitary, safe working condition. A kitchen sink shall not be used as a substitute for required lavatory.

At least one water closet, lavatory and bathtub or shower shall be supplied for each four rooming units

Drinking facilities shall be a drinking fountain, water cooler, bottled water cooler or disposable cups next to a sink or water dispenser. Dinking facilities shall not be located in toilet rooms or bathrooms.

Toilet rooms and bathrooms shall provide privacy. A door and interior locking device shall be provided for all common or shared bathrooms and toilets in multiple a dwelling.

The occupants will be held for responsible to maintain areas, under their personal control, in a clean, safe and sanitary condition.

All structures and exterior property shall be kept free from rodent harborage and infestation.

All premises and exterior property shall be maintained free from weeds or plant growth in excess of six (6) inches (152.4 mm).

No person shall willfully or wantonly damage multiple or deface any exterior surface of any structure or building on any private or public property by placing thereon any marking, carving or graffiti.

Every occupant of a structure shall dispose of rubbish and garbage in a clean, safe and sanitary manner by placing such rubbish or garbage in approved containers.

All structures shall be kept free from insect and rodent infestation.

Dwelling units shall not be occupied by more occupants than permitted by minimum area requirements and occupancy limitations.

A building may be declared unfit for human occupancy when it is in serious disrepair or is lacking basic facilities or is a health or safety hazard for occupants or general public.

Blighted property and public nuisance; the following condition determines if a property is a blight or public nuisance:

a) Any premises which because of physical condition or use is regarded as a public nuisance and has been declared a public nuisance in accordance with the local housing, building, plumbing, fire, and related codes.

b) Any premises which because us physical condition use or occupancy is considered an attractive nuisance to children, including but not limited to abandoned wells, shafts, basements, excavations, and unsafe fences or structures.

c) Any dwelling which because of its dilapidated unsanitary, unsafe, insect or vermin infested or lacking in the facilities and equipment required by this code for dwelling units or has been designated by the Board of Health of the City of Reading as unfit for human habitation or occupancy.

d) Any structure from which is a fire hazard or is otherwise dangerous to the safety of person or property.

e) Any structure, from which water, plumbing, heating, sewage or other facilities have been disconnected, destroyed, removed or rendered ineffective so that the property is unfit for its intended use.

f) Any vacant or unimproved lot or parcel of ground in a predominantly built up neighborhood, which for reason of neglect or lack of maintenance has become a place for accumulation of trash and debris or a haven for rodents and other vermin.

g) Any unoccupied property having a two (2) year tax delinquency.

h) Any property which is vacant but not tax delinquent, for which, absent exigent circumstances, rehabilitation has not begun within (30) days or completed within six (6) months of notice of the receipt of notice to rehabilitate from department of Code Services.

Notice of inspection and rescheduling property owners or representative of owner is notified when an inspection is scheduled. A fine of $50.00 is imposed for failure to be present at an inspection without notice. Also for any rescheduling, an administrative fee of $100.00 is charged for all cases.

Chronic violations:

The owner of any property accruing a third violation of same section or subsection of this code in the same calendar year shall be required to pay an administrative fee of $75.00 for the third violation, $100.00 for the fourth, $150.00 for the fifth and for each successive violation a fine of $50.00 multiplied by numeric value of violation minus 2 shall be imposed. For example, if a sixth violation occurs, a fine of $200.00 (calculated as $50.00 x (6-2) shall be imposed. Failure to pay administrative fee shall be constituted as a violation of this code and subject to penalties assigned by the same.

Correction of Violations:

A reasonable time for correction of all violations is afforded to all property owners except in cases of emergency or imminent danger situation. A maximum time of sixty (60) days will be allowed for a completion of abatement of violations resulting from property inspections.

Extensions:

Upon application, an extension of time beyond that given on correction notice to bring the property into compliance with this code may be granted for a reasonable cause. An application for extension shall include:

(a) Name, address, and phone number of applicant.

(b) Address of property referenced on correction notice.

(c) Violations referenced for which extension is requested.

(d) Payment of a fee of $10.00 per each violation for which extension is being requested.