[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Commissioners of the Township
of Hatfield 11-28-2012 by Ord. No. 639. Amendments noted where
applicable.]
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
DUMPSTER — A container designed to receive and
transport and dump waste which exceeds 96 gallons in size. A dumpster
includes waste disposal bags that are designed to hold in excess of
96 gallons of waste and metal bins that shall not exceed 30 cubic
yards in size.
Portable containers that are placed on or in front of a property
for the purpose of storing, loading, or unloading furniture, clothing,
or other personal or household belongings as part of the process of
renovation or moving, the relocation of belongings to an off-site
commercial storage location, or on-site storage in the aftermath of
the property being affected by a natural disaster. Unlike trailers
typically attached to semi-trucks for transport, portable storage
units must be no larger than eight feet by eight feet by 16 feet.
Dumpsters and portable on-demand storage units are permitted
and are hereby regulated according to the provisions below on occupied
properties primarily used residentially in the following structure
types:
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Single-family detached dwellings
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Single-family semidetached dwellings (twins)
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Single-family attached dwellings (townhouses)
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A.
Dumpsters regulated.
(1)
Location. Dumpsters shall be placed on the property being serviced
and not on the street in front of the property. No commercial or construction
dumpster shall be located within 10 feet of an abutting building on
an adjacent property.
(2)
Time limit.
(a)
A dumpster may remain on a property for 30 days, with up to
two thirty-day extensions pursuant to the permitting provision below.
Absent an emergency condition, in no event shall a dumpster remain
on a property in excess of 90 days in one twelve-month period.
(b)
When the need for the dumpster is the result of an emergency
condition at the property to be served (example: water or fire damage;
hurricane damage), then in such instance the dumpster may remain for
the length of time necessary to remove the debris as determined by
the Code Enforcement Officer. In such instances, the use of the dumpster
is not counted towards the limit of three times per twelve-month period.
(3)
Sanitation. The following requirements shall be maintained while
the dumpster is on or at the site:
(a)
The area around the dumpster shall be kept free of debris and
litter;
(b)
Any dumpster into which animal or vegetable waste or material
has been dumped or deposited shall be removed or emptied within 24
hours; and
(c)
Any dumpster producing or causing noxious, foul or offensive
odors shall be immediately removed or cleaned to eliminate the odor.
(d)
A full dumpster shall be removed from the property within two
days.
(4)
Usage. A dumpster shall only be used to contain and remove debris
and material generated at the location where the dumpster is placed.
(5)
Identification. The name and telephone number of the owner of the
dumpster and/or the company that is responsible for the dumpster shall
be displayed in a weatherproof manner on the dumpster.
B.
Portable on-demand storage units regulated.
(1)
Location. Portable on-demand storage units are prohibited from being
placed on an unpaved area in the front yard of a property. Portable
storage units kept on site must be kept in the driveway or paved,
off-street surface on the property at the furthest accessible point
from the street. Where possible, the unit shall be placed on a paved
surface to the rear or side of the principal structure. When placed
on the driveway or paved area in the side or rear yard, portable storage
units shall be located at least 10 feet from any property line, space
permitting.
(2)
Time limit. A portable on-demand storage unit may remain on a property
for 30 days, with up to two thirty-day extensions pursuant to the
permitting provision below. Absent an emergency condition, in no event
shall a portable on-demand storage unit remain on a property in excess
of 90 days in one twelve-month period.
(3)
Use during natural disaster. The above restrictions notwithstanding,
when the principal structure on the property has been made uninhabitable
as a result of a natural disaster for which a local state of emergency
declaration has been issued, or a fire or other damaging event beyond
the control of the owner, one or more portable storage units may be
used for on-site storage. The authorization for such use shall be
dependent on issuance of a building permit for the reconstruction/repair
of the principal structure(s) on the property and shall expire upon
issuance of a certificate of occupancy for the principal structure(s)
or 12 months from the date of the event that damaged the structure,
whichever occurs first. For good cause shown and to recognize extenuating
circumstances, the Code Enforcement Officer may extend the authorization
for as much as an additional twelve-month period or until a certificate
of occupancy is issued, whichever occurs first.
(4)
Advertising. Advertising is prohibited on a portable storage unit,
with the exception of the name and phone number of the unit's
supplier, which is required.
(5)
Hazardous materials. The use of portable storage units for storage
of hazardous materials is prohibited. The Code Enforcement Officer
may inspect the portable storage unit to ensure no such materials
are being stored inside.
(6)
Condition of portable storage unit. A portable storage unit with
holes, breaks, tears, or large areas of rust, in the opinion of the
Code Enforcement Officer, may not be placed on or in front of any
property.
A thirty-day permit shall be required for a dumpster and a portable on-demand storage unit. The permit shall be obtained from the Township Code Enforcement Officer and the fee shall be set by the Commissioners by resolution. The permit shall be displayed in a weatherproof fashion on the dumpster or on a portable on-demand storage unit. Extensions are permitted pursuant to § 128-2A(2)(a) and B(2) above.
Any dumpster or portable on-demand storage unit not in compliance
with this chapter is hereby declared to be a public nuisance and may
be abated by the Township at the owner's or responsible person's
expense. Abatement shall, at the Township's option, include the
removal and/or the emptying of the dumpster and/or portable on-demand
storage unit as the case may be.
A.
Violation of any provision of this chapter shall be punishable by
a fine in an amount of not more than $300 plus $50 per day the violation
continues.
B.
In addition, a person found guilty of a violation of this chapter
shall be ordered to abate the problem and pay the cost incurred by
the Township if the Township abated the problem.
If the provisions of this chapter are found to be inconsistent
with any portion of other Codes of the Township, the provisions of
this chapter shall control.
