[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Commissioners of the Township
of Upper Chichester 11-17-1987 by Ord. No. 456 (Ch. 10, Part 5, of the
1987 Code of Ordinances). 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 street or highways,
and including trailers or semitrailers 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 the Township of Upper Chichester.
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.
[Amended 12-8-1988 by Ord. No. 466]
A motor vehicle nuisance is defined as any motor vehicle which
is unable to move under its own power, or is not properly licensed
and inspected with a current license plate and inspection sticker;
or has any of the following 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 including holes resulting from rust.
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.
Broken communication equipment antennas.
S.
Suspended on unstable supports.
T.
Such other defects which could threaten the health, safety and welfare
of the citizens of the Township.
A.
Any person, owner or lessee who has one or more motor vehicle nuisances as defined in § 548-2 above may store such vehicles(s) in the Township only in strict compliance with the regulations provided herein. Such person, owner or lessee must, first, apply for a permit for either temporary or permanent storage and pay a fee to the Township such as may be provided from time to time by resolution of the Board of Commissioners. The motor vehicle nuisance(s) must be stored within a garage or other enclosed building or, outside within an opaque fence at least six feet high which is locked at all times when unattended. With the special approval of the Board of Commissioners, 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 10% of total acreage.
A.
The Health Officer 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 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, the 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 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 Health Officer may request
and shall then be granted a hearing before the Board of Commissioners,
provided he files with the Board of Commissioners, within 10 days
after notice of the Health Officer'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 Board of Commissioners shall sustain, modify
or overrule the action of the Health Officer.
[Amended 12-8-1988 by Ord. No. 465[1]]
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, together with the costs of prosecution,
and, in default of payment of such fine and costs, shall be subject
to imprisonment for a term not to exceed 30 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 Commissioners.
