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CHAPTER 4 – CODE ENFORCEMENT

Chapter 4: Code Enforcement Summary

This chapter outlines the regulations for code enforcement in Ebensburg Borough, Pennsylvania. It is divided into four main parts:

Adoption: The Borough adopts the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act (Act 45 of 1999) and the Uniform Construction Code.
Administration: The Borough Council determines how to administer and enforce the code, which can be done by:
- Designating a Borough employee as the Municipal Code Official.
- Hiring third-party agencies or officials.
- Forming intermunicipal agreements with other municipalities.
- Contracting with another municipality for enforcement.
- Entering an agreement with the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry for certain structures.
Board of Appeals: A Board of Appeals is established by the Borough Council to handle appeals.
Repealer: Existing building code ordinances that meet or exceed the new code's requirements remain in effect. Those with lesser requirements are amended to conform.

Adoption: The Borough adopts the International Property Maintenance Code, 2003, published by the International Code Council.
Purpose: This code regulates property maintenance to ensure buildings are safe, sanitary, and fit for occupancy. It covers standards for utilities, facilities, and the condemnation or demolition of unsafe structures.
Amendments: The code is amended to include "Ebensburg" and specifies penalties for violations.
- Penalties: Violations can result in a civil judgment of up to $500 plus court costs and attorney fees. Each day a violation continues is considered a separate offense.
- Jurisdiction: District Justices have initial jurisdiction over these proceedings.

System: The Borough adopts the house numbering system prepared by the Cambria County Department of Emergency Services.
Responsibility: It is the duty of every property owner, trustee, lessee, agent, or occupant to ensure their building is numbered according to the ordinance.
Requirements: Numbers must be:
- Placed in a conspicuous location, visible from the sidewalk and opposite side of the street.
- Arabic numerals at least three inches in height.
- In a color that contrasts with the background (if made of enamel).
Numbering System:
- Center Street is the east-west dividing line; High Street is the north-south dividing line.
- Numbering starts at 100 and extends consecutively from these dividing lines.
- Even numbers are on the south and east sides of streets; odd numbers are on the north and west sides.
Assignment: The Cambria County Department of Emergency Services is solely responsible for assigning all house and building numbers.
Penalties: Violations, such as altering or failing to display a required number, are punishable by a fine of up to $600. Each day a violation exists is considered a separate offense.

Applicability: This part applies to a list of specific local ordinances, including:
- High grass or weeds prohibited (Ordinance #326)
- Dogs defecating on public property (Ordinance #380)
- Outdoor burning restricted (Ordinance #494)
- Animals prohibited in parks (Ordinance #507)
- Storage of nuisance vehicles/materials (Ordinance #511)
- Sidewalk maintenance and obstructions (Ordinances #513, #559)
Authorization: The Ebensburg Borough Police Department is authorized to issue Local Law Citations for these violations.
Penalties: The fine for a Local Law Citation is $35, payable to the Borough. If not paid within seven days, the defendant is subject to the penalties outlined in the original ordinance.
Appeals: A person cited has seven days to request a hearing by asking the Police Department to file a civil complaint under the underlying ordinance.
Non-Repealer: The ordinances listed above and their penalty provisions remain in full force and are not repealed by this chapter.