[Amended 12-27-1989 by Ord. No. 122-1989]
For the purposes of this Part, all words used in the present tense include future tense, all words in the plural number include the singular number and all words in singular number include the plural number, unless the natural construction of the sentence clearly indicates otherwise. The word "shall" is mandatory and not directory. As used in this Part, certain terms are defined as follows:
ASSESSMENT AGENCY - The Berks County Board of Assessment Appeals.
CITY - The City of Reading.
DETERIORATED AREA - That portion of the City which has been determined to be physically blighted on the basis of one or more of the following standards:
A. The residential buildings, by reason of age, obsolescence, inadequate or outmoded design or physical deterioration have become economic and/or social liabilities.
B. The residential buildings are substandard or unsanitary for healthful and safe living purposes.
C. The residential buildings are overcrowded, poorly spaced or are so lacking light, space and air as to be conducive to unwholesome living.
D. The residential buildings are faultily arranged, cover the land to an excessive extent, show a deleterious use of land or exhibit any combination of the above which is detrimental to health, safety or welfare.
E. A significant percentage of buildings used for residential purposes is more than 20 years of age.
F. A substantial amount of unimproved, overgrown and unsightly vacant land exists which has remained so for a period of five years or more indicating a growing or total lack of utilization of land for residential purposes.
G. A disproportionate number of tax exempt or delinquent properties exists in the area.
DETERIORATED NEIGHBORHOOD - A deteriorated neighborhood as defined in the Act of July 9, 1971, P.L. 206, No. 34, and re-enacted and amended by Act 42 on August 5, 1977.3 For the purpose of this Part, Wards 1 through 19, respectively, constitute deteriorated neighborhoods and deteriorating areas within the purview of the previously cited Act 42.
DETERIORATED PROPERTY - A dwelling unit located in a deteriorated neighborhood, as hereinafter provided, or a dwelling unit which has been or upon request is certified by a health, housing or building inspection agency as unfit for human habitation for rent withholding, or other health or welfare purposes, or has been the subject of an order by such an agency requiring the unit to be vacated, condemned or demolished by reason of noncompliance with laws, ordinances or regulations.
DWELLING UNIT - A house, double house or duplex, townhouse or row house, apartment or any building intended for occupancy as living quarters by an individual, a family or families or other groups of persons, which living quarters contain a kitchen or cooking equipment for the exclusive use of the occupant or occupants. For purposes of this definition, any structure that contains less than three units, and which would otherwise meet the definition of a dwelling unit set forth herein, shall be treated as residential real property subject to the terms of this Part.
IMPROVEMENT - Repair, construction or reconstruction commencing after the effective date of this Part, including alterations and additions, having the effect of rehabilitating a structure so that it becomes habitable or attains higher standards of housing safety, health or amenity, or is brought into compliance with laws, ordinances or regulations governing housing standards. Ordinary upkeep and maintenance shall not be deemed an improvement. Improvement shall include construction to convert a multifamily structure to a single-family building, if the multifamily structure had originally been designed and built to serve as a single-family house. [Amended 7-12-2010 by Ord. No. 32-2010]
NEW RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION - The building or erection, commencing after the effective date of this Part, of dwelling units, as defined in "dwelling unit" hereof, upon vacant land or land specifically prepared to receive such structures.
OWNER - Any person having a legal or equitable interest in the property as recorded in the official records of the state, county or municipality as holding title to the property. [Amended 7-12-2010 by Ord. No. 32-2010]
3. Editor's Note: See 72 P.S. § 4711-101 et seq.