Linesville borough council, despite opposition in the past, plans to go ahead with the adoption of the International Property Maintenance Code, 2006 edition, when they meet in council session Tuesday, April 13.

The code will become the Property Maintenance Code of the borough and is for the regulation of buildings, property, and structures.

Advertising has been done to officially adopt the code which has been reviewed in these pages in the past using the 2003 code plan and depending on the final exact wording in the 2006 code will allow the Code Official to inspect any building, structure or premises which are the subject of complaints made by any person to determine whether there exists an unsafe or unfit structure, unsafe equipment, or other violation.

The scope of the code is far ranging and in general covers items such as space in a structure used for living, sleeping, eating or cooking, the outside exterior property, and can also include inoperable motor vehicles.

The code requires all exterior property to be maintained in clean and safe, sanitary conditions which means council’s code official can require persons to keep all premises graded and maintained to prevent soil erosion and to prevent an accumulation of stagnant water on the property.

No inoperative or unlicensed vehicle shall be kept or stored on any premises unless undergoing overhaul which can only be do ne inside a building designed and approved for such purposes.

Swimming pools containing water more than 48 inches in depth shall be completely surrounded by a fence at least 48 inches high.

The code can require every flight of steps having more than 4 risers to have a handrail on one side. Doors providing access to a dwelling unit,...rented or leased... shall be equipped with a deadbolt lock.

Every basement window that is openable shall be supplied with rodent shields, storm windows, or other approved protection against the entry of rodents.

Every habitable space shall have at least one window of approved size facing directly to the outside....The minimum total glazed area for every habitable space shall be 8% of the floor area of such room...every habitable space shall have at least one openable window...

A habitable room, other than a kitchen, shall not be less than 7 feet in any plan dimension Kitchens shall have a clear passage way of not less than 3 feet between counter fronts and appliances or counter fronts and walls.

Habitable spaces, hallways, corridors, laundry areas, bathrooms, and habitable basement areas shall have a clear ceiling height of not less than 7 feet.

Bedrooms, again according to the 2003 code, required that every bedroom occupied by one person shall contain at least 70 square feet of floor area and every bedroom occupied by more than one person shall contain at least 50 square feet of floor area for each occupant thereof.

Every bedroom shall have access to at least one water closet and one lavatory without passing through another bedroom.

All premises and exterior property shall be maintained free from weeds or plant growth in excess of 6 inches in height. Weeds are defined as grasses, annual plants and vegetation other than trees or shrubs, but does not include cultivated flowers or gardens.

A board of appeals is to be set up consisting of three persons with board action able to be done by any two.