Summit Hill Borough Council, at a recent special meeting, passed three ordinances that took effect at the start of the new year.

The ordinances involve the licensing and inspection of rental properties, create rules and regulations for parks and recreation areas, and outline provisions for special purpose parking.

Rental licensing

The ordinance regarding rental licensing and inspections states it is intended “to protect and promote the public health, safety and welfare of its citizens, to establish rights and obligations of owners and to occupants relating to residential rental units ... and to encourage owners and occupants to maintain and improve the quality of rental housing within the borough.”

A systematic approach to the inspections of rental units has been developed by the borough. The borough council is expected to name a part-time or temporary clerk to work on records regarding rental units when it meets at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the borough hall.

The initial rental license fee will be $105, with the rental inspection being $205. Reinspection for failed inspections, or renewal inspections, will also cost $205. Rental license and renewal fees will be $105.

The inspections will be done by the borough’s code enforcement officer, Lehigh Engineering of Pottsville.

The ordinance states that tenants who engage in disruptive conduct to the extent that police response is required can be evicted if three such incidents occur in a 12-month period.

Violations to the rental ordinance can result in fines of up to $100 per day for the first violation, up to $175 per day for the second violation and up to $250 per day for the third violation.

Owners residing more than 20 miles from the borough’s limits must have a manager for their units who reside within this span.

Parks and recreation

The rules and regulations pertaining to the parks and recreation spaces mandates that parks shall be open to the public daily from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the months of October through April, and 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. May through September.

Meetings and gatherings in the park are limited to a maximum of 25 people unless application is made to the borough in advance.

No booths or stands offering items for sale are permitted in the parks without prior borough approval.

No alcoholic beverages are permitted in the parks, except as permitted by the borough.

Dogs and other domestic animals must be on leashes at all times.

All open fires including portable stoves are prohibited without written permission by the borough or mayor.

Use of the gazebo at Ginder Park or a designated portion of the park must be done through a reservation and may require a fee as determined by the borough.

Special parking

Regarding special parking, a fee established by resolution will be assessed by the borough for spaces.

The ordinance states, “A person who owns or leases real estate within a commercial or mixed commercial area of which he is not a resident, but who owns or manages a business enterprise or professional office maintained at that address ... shall be entitled to three reserved parking spaces for that business or professional office address.”

Commercial areas are defined as such establishments as small businesses, retail, office, banking, service establishments utilized for commerce and trade, home occupations, places of worship, nursing homes and hospitals.