[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township
of Hanover 2-8-2011 by Ord. No. 11-01. Amendments noted where applicable.]
This chapter may commonly be refereed to as the "Prohibition
of Exterior Storage of Personal Property."
No owner, possessor or responsible agent of real property located
within Hanover Township, Northampton County, Pennsylvania, shall accumulate,
permit or store items such as furniture designed or manufactured primarily
for indoor use, durable goods (refrigerators, washer, dryers, etc.),
small appliances, carpets, tires, vehicle parts, automotive products
or municipal waste, hazardous waste, residual waste or construction
or demolition debris on the exterior of any real property if it is
a threat to the physical appearance, safety or public health of Hanover
Township, Northampton County or if its presence constitutes a public
nuisance.
Any person or entity who violates this chapter shall be charged
with a summary offense and, upon conviction thereof before the appropriate
district Magisterial Judge, shall be sentenced to pay the costs plus
a fine levied as follows: $100 against a person or entity violating
this chapter, with each day of continued violation constituting a
separate offense, to a maximum fine not to exceed $1,000.
Nothing herein contained shall inhibit or impair Hanover Township,
Northampton County, Pennsylvania from enforcing its rights at law
or in equity.
[Added 10-25-2011 by Ord. No. 11-12]
This section regulates the placement of portable storage units
in order to promote the health and safety of the residents of the
Township and to preserve the aesthetic value of its residential neighborhoods,
business and commercial districts.
A.
PORTABLE STORAGE UNIT
Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms shall have
the meanings indicated:
A transportable unit designed and used primarily for temporary
storage of building materials, household goods, or other materials
that are typically delivered and removed by truck. This definition
shall not include commercial construction trailers.
B.
Permit required. Prior to placing a portable storage unit on his
or her property, a person must submit an application and receive a
permit from the Township. There shall be a non-refundable registration
fee of $35 for the permit. The permit fee shall hereafter be amended
from time to time by resolution of the Board of Supervisors.
C.
Requirements for placement of portable storage units. The following
requirements shall apply to the placement of portable storage units:
(1)
It shall be unlawful for any person or entity to place, permit the
placement of, or allow a portable storage unit to remain on a lot
in excess of 30 calendar days for purposes of moving and 90 calendar
days for construction. One extension for a like term may be granted
if there is substantial evidence of need. Requests for extension shall
be made in writing and set forth the reason the extension is needed.
Requests shall be directed to the Township Zoning Officer.
(2)
Portable storage units shall only be placed upon approved parking
areas such as driveways and parking lots. If space is available in
the side yard or the rear yard of a lot, the portable storage unit
may be placed in the side or rear of the lot. Portable storage units
shall not displace required parking spaces. A portable storage unit
shall not be placed in the public right-of-way. The portable storage
unit may not be placed as to obstruct vehicular traffic and the clear
sight triangle.
(3)
There shall be no more than one portable storage unit per lot. Portable
storage units shall be no larger than eight feet high by eight feet
wide by 16 feet long. Portable units shall not be considered an accessory
structure.
(4)
The owner and operator of any lot on which a portable storage unit
is placed shall be responsible for ensuring that the portable storage
unit is maintained in good condition, free from evidence of deterioration,
weathering, discoloration, graffiti, rust, ripping, tearing or other
holes or breaks, at all times. When not in use, the portable storage
unit shall be kept locked.
(5)
No portable storage unit shall be used to store solid waste, construction
debris, demolition debris, recyclable materials, business inventory,
commercial goods, goods for property other than that of the property
where the portable storage unit is located (i.e., used for retail
sales) or any illegal or hazardous material. Upon reasonable notice
to the property owner or operator, the Township may inspect the contents
of any portable storage unit at any reasonable time to ensure that
it is not being used to store said materials. At no time shall a portable
storage unit be used for any illegal purpose.
(6)
Any portable storage unit which is not removed at the end of the
time for which it may lawfully remain in place, or immediately upon
the direction of the Township Zoning/Code Officer for removal of such
unit for safety reasons, may be removed by the Township immediately,
without notice, and the cost of such removal, together with the cost
of administration of its removal, may be assessed against the property
on which the portable storage unit was located and may be filed as
a lien against such property.
(7)
Violations and penalties. Any person who violates this § 134-5 shall be charged with a summary offense and, upon conviction thereof shall be sentenced to pay the costs plus a fine levied as follows: $200 against a person or entity violating this section, with each day of continued violation constituting a separate offense, to a maximum fine not to exceed $1,000.
