[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township of
Upper Southampton 1-21-1986 as Ch. 10, Part 2, of the 1986
Code. Amendments noted where applicable.]
A.
LESSEE
MOTOR VEHICLE
NUISANCE
OWNER
PERSON
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have
the meanings indicated, unless a different meaning clearly appears from the
context:
Owner for the purpose of this chapter when the lessor holds the lessee
responsible for maintenance and repairs.
Any type of mechanical device, propelled by a motor, in which persons
or property may be transported upon public streets or highways, and including
trailers or semi-trailers pulled thereby.
Any condition, structure, or improvement which shall constitute a
threat or potential threat to the health, safety, or welfare of the citizens
of Upper Southampton Township.
The actual owner, agent or custodian of the property on which motor
vehicles are stored, whether individual or partnership, association, or corporation.
A natural person, firm, partnership, association, corporation, or
other legal entity.
B.
In this chapter, the singular shall include the plural;
the plural shall include the singular; and the masculine shall include the
feminine and the neuter.
It shall be unlawful for any person, owner or lessee to maintain a motor
vehicle nuisance upon the open private grounds of such person, owner or lessee
within Upper Southampton Township. A motor vehicle nuisance shall include
any motor vehicle which is unable to move under its own power and has any
of the following physical defects:
A.
Broken windshields, mirrors or other glass, with sharp
edges.
B.
One or more flat or open tires or tubes which could permit
vermin harborage.
C.
Missing doors, windows, hood, trunk or other body parts
which could permit animal harborage.
D.
Any body parts with sharp edges.
E.
Missing tires resulting in unsafe suspension of the motor
vehicle.
F.
Upholstery which is torn or open which could permit animal
and/or vermin harborage.
G.
Broken headlamps or tail-lamps with sharp edges.
H.
Disassembled chassis parts apart from the motor vehicle
stored in a disorderly fashion or loose in or on the vehicle.
I.
Protruding sharp objects from the chassis.
J.
Broken vehicle frame suspended from the ground in an
unstable manner.
K.
Leaking or damaged oil pan or gas tank which could cause
fire or explosion.
L.
Exposed battery containing acid.
M.
Inoperable locking mechanism for doors or trunk.
N.
Open or damaged floor boards including trunk and firewall.
O.
Damaged bumpers pulled away from the perimeter of vehicle.
P.
Broken grill with protruding edges.
Q.
Loose or damaged metal trim and clips.
R.
Suspended on unstable supports.
S.
Such other defects which could threaten the health, safety
and welfare of the citizens of Upper Southampton Township.
A.
Any person, owner or lessee who has one or more motor vehicle nuisances as defined in § 178-2 above may store such vehicle(s) in Upper Southampton Township only in strict compliance with the regulations provided herein. The motor vehicle nuisance(s) must be stored within a garage or other enclosed building or outside within an opaqued fence at least six feet high, which is locked at all times when unattended. With the special approval of the Township Manager motor vehicle nuisances may also be stored outside in an area enclosed by a chain link fence, at least six feet high, screened by shrubbery around the perimeter to the height of the fence, with an unobstructed gate capable of admitting fire or emergency equipment. Such gate shall remain locked at all times when unattended. In addition all gas and oil or other flammable liquid shall be removed from the motor vehicle and it shall be kept free of vermin infestation while being stored. The total area of storage of motor vehicle nuisances may not exceed 200 square feet.
A.
The Code Official is hereby empowered to inspect grounds
on which motor vehicles are stored to determine if there is compliance with
the provisions of this chapter. If noncompliance with the provisions of this
chapter constitutes a nuisance, or if any condition, structure, or improvement
poses a threat to the health, safety, or welfare of the public, he shall issue
a written notice to be served by registered or certified mail upon the owner
of said premises, or, if the owner's whereabouts or identity be unknown,
by posting the notice conspicuously upon the offending premises.
B.
Said notice shall specify the condition or structure
or improvement complained of, and shall require the owner to commence to remove
or otherwise rectify the condition or structure or improvement as set forth
therein within 10 days of mailing or posting of said notice, and thereafter,
to fully comply with the requirements of the notice within a reasonable time.
If the owner of grounds on which motor vehicles are stored does not
comply with the notice to abate the conditions within the time limit prescribed,
Upper Southampton Township shall have the authority to take measures to correct
the conditions and collect the cost of such corrections, plus 10% of all costs.
The Upper Southampton Township, in such event and pursuant to its statutory
or otherwise authorized police powers, shall have the right and power to enter
upon the offending premises to accomplish the foregoing.
A.
Any person aggrieved by the decision of the Code Official
may request and shall then be granted a hearing before the Township Manager;
provided that he files with the Township Manager, within 10 days after notice
of the Code Official's decision, a written petition requesting such hearing
and setting forth a brief statement of the grounds therefor. The hearing shall
commence not later than 30 days after the date on which the petition was filed
unless postponed for sufficient cause.
B.
After such hearing, the Township Manager shall sustain,
modify or overrule the action of the Code Official.
[Amended 6-7-1988 by Ord. No. 256]
Any person, firm or corporation who shall violate any provision of this
chapter shall, upon conviction thereof, be sentenced to pay a fine of not
more than $1,000, and/or to imprisonment for a term not to exceed 90 days.
Every day that a violation of this chapter continues shall constitute a separate
offense.
The remedies provided herein for the enforcement of this chapter, or
any remedy provided by law, shall not be deemed mutually exclusive; rather
they may be employed simultaneously or consecutively, at the option of the
Board of Supervisors.
