Title
Amending Section 10-840 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Criminal and Defiant Trespassers," to clarify and modify applicable definitions, penalties, and procedures, and to make certain technical changes, all under certain terms and conditions.
Body
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA HEREBY ORDAINS:
SECTION 1. Title 10 of The Philadelphia Code is hereby amended as follows:
TITLE 10. REGULATION OF INDIVIDUAL CONDUCT AND ACTIVITY.
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CHAPTER 10-800. SAFETY.
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ยง 10-840. Criminal and Defiant Trespassers.
(1) Legislative Findings.
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(b) Criminal and defiant trespassers have no rights to occupy residential property as against the rights of the current owner or authorized agent of said residential property. Owners of residential property in Philadelphia have full rights over and to their residential property as provided under Pennsylvania law.
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(2) Definitions. The following definitions apply to this Section 10-840.
(a) Alleged Criminal and Defiant Trespasser. A [criminal and defiant trespasser is a] person who the owner of a property or authorized agent of said [residential property] owner alleges is criminally and defiantly trespassing on the owner's residential property under this Section 10-840.
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(c) Criminal and Defiant Trespasser. A ["criminal and defiant trespasser" is a] person who is not an owner of the subject residential property; and is not a victim of domestic violence, sexual harassment, or stalking under Section 9-3201(8) of the Code that has been perpetrated by an owner of such property or by another person who is or had recently lived with such victim in such residential property; and who occupies residential property without any of the following:
(.1) title, including by [twenty-one (21) years of] adverse possession of
the residential property under Pennsylvania Law [or as acquired through Sheriff's Sa...
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