[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council of the Borough
of Washington 4-18-2017 by Ord.
No. 2017-04. Amendments noted where applicable.]
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
A vehicle which has remained on or along the highway or other
public property or upon private property without consent for a period
of more than 48 hours or for any period without current license plates.
Any motor vehicle incapable of being legally operated or
moved under its own power on the public streets and highways of the
State of New Jersey.
Any motor vehicle incapable of being legally driven on the
highways of the State of New Jersey or not bearing current license
plates or tags or not bearing a current inspection sticker issued
by an appropriate licensing authority.
No person, firm or corporation shall keep any wrecked, dismantled,
junked, abandoned or inoperable motor vehicle or any parts thereof
in the open upon public or private property unless licensed as a junk
shop or junkyard.
It shall be unlawful for any person to keep or permit the keeping
of, on streets, vacant lots or anywhere on residential property, except
in a fully enclosed structure, any motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer
which:
No person, firm or corporation shall use the public streets
or highways as a repair shop or to make repairs to vehicles other
than emergency repairs.
A wrecked, dismantled, junked, abandoned or inoperable motor
vehicle may be removed from the public streets or highways when 48
hours' notice has been served upon the registered owner, either
in person or by mail to the last-known address, to move such vehicle.
However, if the vehicle obstructs traffic or is deemed to be a hazard,
the police may remove such vehicle without prior notice to the owner.
A written notice to remove within seven days the wrecked, dismantled,
junked, abandoned or inoperable vehicle from public property other
than public streets and highways shall be served upon the registered
owner thereof, either personally or by certified mail. If the vehicle
is not removed within the time allowed by such notice, the police
may remove such vehicle.
An unlicensed vehicle on public streets or premises not owned
or occupied by the owner of the vehicle shall be deemed abandoned
and removed immediately.
The owner of the removed vehicle may repossess the same at any
time prior to sale thereof, upon payment of the costs of removal plus
storage charges.
Disposition of the vehicle shall be made within the towing company's
discretion. The Borough shall notify the registered owner either in
person or by mail to the last-known address of the address and telephone
number of the towing company in possession of the vehicle.
The Borough shall not be liable for loss or damage during removal,
storage, subsequent sale or other disposition.
Any person who shall violate this chapter shall, upon conviction
thereof, pay a fine not exceeding $500 or be imprisoned in the county
jail for a term not exceeding 90 days, or both, for each offense,
in the discretion of the court. Each day said offense continues shall
constitute a separate offense.
The provisions of this chapter may be enforced by the Zoning
Officer of the Borough of Washington or any police officer serving
the Borough of Washington.
