September 06 2020
The Middletown Township Board of Supervisors is considering an ordinance to amend Chapter 363 of the Middletown Township Code of Ordinances to replace the 2003 International Property Maintenance Code with the 2015 International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) as the official property maintenance code of Middletown Township.
The 2003 IPMC has been in place and enforced since it was adopted. Because it is now outdated and difficult to obtain a copy, residents have a more difficult time adhering to the existing property maintence code. Updating to the 2015 IPMC will reduce this difficulty. The differences between the 2003 and the 2015 versions of the IPMC are minimal and reflects the most current best practices adopted by many other municipalities in our area and around the United States.
The IMPC is a model ordinance that sets forth minimum maintenance standards for existing buildings, including regulations pertaining to basic equipment, light, ventilation, heating, sanitation, structural integrity, and fire safety. Under the IPMC, owners, operators, and occupants of buildings within the applicable municipality are subject to violations and enforcement penalties for noncompliance with the IPMC. In Middletown Township, the IPMC is enforced by the Code Enforcement Officer.
Nearly every municipality in Pennsylvania has adopted the IPMC, which is updated periodically. Middletown Township, however, has not adopted an updated version of the IPMC since 2003. This has caused confusion for residents, as it is difficult for them to obtain a 2003 copy of the IPMC, as well as the magisterial district judges, as most municipalities that come before them are now using newer versions of the IPMC.
The 2015 IMPC can be found on the IMPC website.