[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Commissioners of the Township of
Hatfield 2-12-1997 by Ord. No. 420EE (Ch.
6, Part 5, of the 1994 Code). Amendments noted where applicable.]
The provisions of this chapter are designed to secure, promote and protect
the public health, comfort, convenience, safety, welfare, peace and quiet
of the residents of Hatfield Township by requiring the registration of motorized
vehicles and regulating the use thereof, in order to alleviate problems such
as, but not limited to, loud, unnecessary and unusual noises within the Township,
damage and destruction of personal property, unauthorized use of private lands,
disturbances through the creation of unnecessary dust and debris and other
inconveniences caused by motorized vehicles to the residents of Hatfield Township.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
Any vehicle propelled by motor vehicle may or may not be licensed
by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania including, but not limited to, all vehicles
which are required to be licensed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for
use of public highways but which are not licensed because of the owner's
intention not to use said vehicles on public highways and all other motorized
vehicles which are not covered by the Vehicle Code[1] or other applicable statutes of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
This definition shall not be construed to include properly licensed motor
vehicles operated upon the public highways, streets, roads and private driveways
in accordance with the law, power lawn mowers and garden tractors, agricultural
equipment used in the course of farming or commercial equipment being properly
used in trade or business by the owner or on the owner's behalf.
All houses, apartments, mobile homes and other permanent structures
occupied by one or more persons as their primary home and residence.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 75 Pa.C.S.A. § 101 et seq.
No person, firm, association, corporation or other entity shall use
or operate, or permit to be used or operated, any motorized vehicle within
the Township without first obtaining a registration permit.
Application for a motorized vehicle registration permit shall be made
to the Chief of Police or other authorized representative within 30 days after
the vehicle is brought into the Township, on forms prescribed by him, which
shall set forth, among other information deemed to be required, the full name,
address and telephone number of the owner, the manufacturer, name, serial
number and a general description of the motorized vehicle and the name, address
and telephone number of all owners of property not owned by the applicant
upon which the applicant has permission to operate the motorized vehicle and
the location thereof.
A.
Upon approval of the application and payment of the proper
fee, the Chief of Police or other authorized representative shall issue a
registration permit for the motorized vehicle to the applicant.
B.
The fee for each registration permit shall be $25 per
motorized vehicle. The fee fixed herein may be modified from time to time
by resolution of the Board of Commissioners.
C.
The registration shall be affixed to the motorized vehicle
and displayed in a readily visible manner on the rear of the motorized vehicle
at all times.
D.
The registration permit shall remain valid unless revoked,
as hereinafter provided, or until there shall be a change of ownership of
the motorized vehicle. The change of ownership shall terminate the registration
permit.
A.
The sound level of a motorized vehicle operated within
the Township shall not create unreasonable noise.
B.
Every motorized vehicle shall at all times be equipped
with a muffler in good working order which is in constant operation. No muffler
cutout, bypass or similar device shall be installed or used on a motorized
vehicle within the Township.
C.
A motorized vehicle shall be operated only during daylight
hours, with operation specifically prohibited prior to one hour after sunrise
and later than one hour before sunset.
D.
A motorized vehicle shall not be operated on private
property of another without the express written permission of the owner or
occupant of the property. The written permission shall be in the possession
of the operator when the motorized vehicle is being operated on the private
property.
E.
A motorized vehicle shall not be operated on public school
grounds without express permission or provision to do so by the proper governing
authorities of the school district.
F.
A motorized vehicle shall not be operated on publicly
owned property, parks, playgrounds or recreational areas without express provision
or permission to do so by the appropriate public authority.
G.
A motorized vehicle shall not be operated in a careless,
reckless or negligent manner that would endanger the safety of any person
or property.
H.
A motorized vehicle shall not be operated in such a manner
as to raise or cause excessive amounts of dust or debris.
I.
A motorized vehicle shall not be operated in such a manner
as to damage or destroy any real or personal property of another. In addition
to any other penalties for the violation of this chapter, a violator of this
subsection shall be liable to make restitution for any damage caused to private
or public property.
J.
A motorized vehicle shall not be operated on a sidewalk
or within the right-of-way of any public or private street being maintained
or used as a thoroughfare for legally licensed vehicular traffic unless the
operator has a valid motor vehicle operator's license and the motorized
vehicle is properly registered and licensed with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
as a motor vehicle. All provisions of the Vehicle Code and Township ordinances
regulating equipment and operation will apply to such use.
K.
One person only shall operate a motorized vehicle. The
operator shall not carry any other person nor shall any other person ride
on said motorized vehicle unless such motorized vehicle is designed to carry
more than one person, in which event a passenger may ride upon the permanent
and regular seat if designed for two persons or upon another seat permanently
attached to the vehicle to the rear or side of the operator.
L.
A motorized vehicle shall not be left unattended with
the engine running while located on property not owned by or under the control
of the owner or operator of the motorized vehicle.
All motorized vehicles operated within the Township shall have the following
equipment in addition to or in conjunction with all equipment required by
the Vehicle Code if the motorized vehicle is licensed as a motor vehicle:
A.
Adequate brakes in good working condition.
A.
Any person, firm, association, corporation or other entity
who shall violate any of the provisions of this chapter shall, upon conviction,
be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than $600 and costs, and, in default
of payment of said fine and costs, to imprisonment for a term not to exceed
30 days.
B.
Upon conviction of a third subsequent offense, the Township
shall have the right to revoke for a period of one year the registration permit
of the owner committing said offenses or permitting said offenses to occur.
