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Code Enforcement 

Thomas Breznitsky - Code Enforcement Officer
code.weatherly@gmail.com
570-249-1529

Borough of Weatherly adopted the International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC), 2018 edition, Ord. 2019-3 and was duly enacted & ordained on July 15, 2019.

The International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) is a model code that regulates the minimum maintenance requirements for existing buildings.

The IPMC is a maintenance document intended to establish minimum maintenance standards for basic equipment, light, ventilation, heating, sanitation and fire safety. Responsibility is fixed among owners, operators and occupants for code compliance. The IPMC provides for the regulation and safe use of existing structures in the interest of the social and economic welfare of the community.

The Property Maintenance Code is enforced by the Weatherly Borough Code Enforcement Officer. When a property is found to be in violation of the 2018 Int’l Prop. Maintenance Code, the property “OWNER” will be notified by the Weatherly Borough & a period of time is given to correct the violation(s). Where violation(s) are NOT corrected within the specified time period, action will be taken by the Borough to either abate the offending matter or refer the matter to the courts for prosecution & fines, & removal or repair of the offense.

Arrangement and Format of the 2018 IPMC

The IPMC is divided into eight (8) different parts:

  • Chapter 1 Scope & Administration
  • Chapter 2 Definitions
  • Chapter 3 General Requirements
  • Chapter 4 Light, Ventilation & Occupancy Limitations
  • Chapter 5 Plumbing Facilities & Fixture Requirements
  • Chapter 6 Mechanical & Electrical Requirements
  • Chapter 7 Fire Safety Requirements
  • Chapter 8 Referenced Standards

Residents are urged to take note of the following excerpts of the IMPC adopted by Weatherly Borough on July 15, 2019, and of a few of the property maintenance issues pertaining to the Borough’s adoption of the 2018 Int’l Property Maintenance Code in order to establish a standard for all property owners to follow. This STANDARD is intended to protect property values, investments & other interests of all property owners.

UNSAFE STRUCTURES AND EQUIPMENT: An unsafe structure is one that is found to be dangerous to the life, health, property or safety of the public or the occupants of the structure by not providing minimum safeguards to protect or warn occupants in the event of fire, or because such structure contains unsafe equipment or is so damaged, decayed, dilapidated, structurally unsafe or of such faulty construction or unstable foundation, that partial or complete collapse is possible.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS: The owner of the premises shall maintain the structures and the exterior property in compliance with these requirements, except as otherwise provided for in this code. A person shall not occupy as owner-occupant or permit another person to occupy premises which are not in a sanitary and safe condition and which do not comply with the requirements of this chapter. Occupants of a dwelling unit, rooming unit or housekeeping unit are responsible for keeping in a clean, sanitary and safe condition that part of the dwelling unit, rooming unit, housekeeping unit or premises which they occupy and control.

EXTERIOR PROPERTY AREAS: All exterior property and premises shall be maintained in a clean, safe and sanitary condition. The occupant shall keep that part of the exterior property which such occupant occupies or controls in a clean and sanitary condition. Premises shall be graded and maintained to prevent the erosion of soil and to prevent the accumulation of stagnant water thereon, or within any structure located thereon.
Sidewalks, walkways, stairs, driveways, parking spaces and similar areas shall be kept in a proper state of repair, and maintained free from hazardous conditions.
All premises and exterior property shall be maintained free from weeds or plant growth in excess of 8 inches. Structures and exterior property shall be kept free from rodent harborage and infestation.
All accessory structures, including detached garages, fences and walls, shall be maintained structurally sound and in good repair.
Motor vehicles. Except as provided for in other regulations, no inoperative or unlicensed motor vehicle shall be parked, kept or stored on any premises, and no vehicle shall at any time be in a state of major disassembly, disrepair, or in the process of being stripped or dismantled. Painting of vehicle is prohibited unless conducted inside an approved spray booth.

SWIMMING POOLS, SPAS AND HOT TUBS: Swimming pools shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition, and in good repair. Private swimming pools, hot tubs and spas, containing water more than 24 inches (610 mm) in depth shall be completely surrounded by a fence or barrier at least 48 inches (1219 mm) in height above the finished ground level measured on the side of the barrier away from the pool. ANY POOL CONTAINING MORE THAN 24 INCHES OF WATER REQUIRES A ZONING AND/OR BUILDING PERMIT. CONTACT THE BOROUGH OFFICE FOR DETAILS.

EXTERIOR STRUCTURE: The exterior of a structure shall be maintained in good repair, structurally sound and sanitary so as not to pose a threat to the public health, safety or welfare.
Protective treatment. All exterior surfaces, including but not limited to, doors, door and window frames, cornices, porches, trim, balconies, decks and fences shall be maintained in good condition. Exterior wood surfaces, other than decay-resistant woods, shall be protected from the elements and decay by painting or other protective covering or treatment.
Premises identification. Buildings shall have approved address numbers placed in a position to be plainly legible and visible from the street or road fronting the property. These numbers shall contrast with their background. Address numbers shall be Arabic numerals or alphabet letters. Numbers shall be a minimum of 4 inches (102 mm) high with a minimum stroke width of 0.5 inch (12.7 mm).

INTERIOR STRUCTURE: The interior of a structure and equipment therein shall be maintained in good repair, structurally sound and in a sanitary condition. Occupants shall keep that part of the structure that they occupy or control in a clean and sanitary condition. Every owner of a structure containing a rooming house, housekeeping units, a hotel, a dormitory, two or more dwelling units or two or more nonresidential occupancies, shall maintain, in a clean and sanitary condition, the shared or public areas of the structure and exterior property.

HANDRAILS AND GUARDRAILS: Every exterior and interior flight of stairs having more than four risers shall have a handrail on one side of the stair and every open portion of a stair, landing, balcony, porch, deck, ramp or other walking surface which is more than 30 inches (762 mm) above the floor or grade below shall have guards.

RUBBISH AND GARBAGE: All exterior property and premises, and the interior of every structure, shall be free from any accumulation of rubbish or garbage.

PEST ELIMINATION: Structures shall be kept free from insect and rodent infestation. Structures in which insects or rodents are found shall be promptly exterminated by approved processes that will not be injurious to human health. After elimination, proper precautions shall be taken to prevent re-infestation.