[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township of Limerick 5-18-1989 by Ord. No. 111.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Vehicles abandoned on streets — See Ch. 170.
Junkyards — See Ch. 186.
Property maintenance — See Ch. 132.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed former Ch. 168, Vehicles, Abandoned, adopted 12-29-1981 by Ord. No. 82.
A. 
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated, unless a different meaning clearly appears from the context:
LESSEE
Owner, for the purpose of this chapter, when the lessor holds the lessee responsible for maintenance and repairs.
MOTOR VEHICLE
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 semitrailers pulled thereby.
NUISANCE
Any condition, structure or improvement which shall constitute a threat or potential threat to the health, safety or welfare of the citizens of Limerick Township.
OWNER
The actual owner, agent or custodian of the property on which motor vehicles are stored, whether individual or partnership, association or corporation.
PERSON
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 the 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, 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 fire wall.
O. 
Damaged bumpers pulled away from the perimeter of the vehicle.
P. 
Broken grill with protruding edges.
Q. 
Loose or damaged metal trim and clips.
R. 
Broken communication equipment antenna.
S. 
Suspended on unstable supports.
T. 
Such other defects which could threaten the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Limerick Township.
A. 
Any person, owner or lessee who has two or more motor vehicle nuisances, as defined in § 168-2 above, may store such vehicles in Limerick Township only in strict compliance with the regulations provided herein. Any person, owner or lessee who elects to store a motor vehicle nuisance, as defined in § 168-2 above, must store the same 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. Such motor vehicle nuisances may be stored 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 liquids 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 300 square feet without obtaining a proper permit for storage of such nuisances from the Limerick Township Board of Supervisors.
B. 
Any person, owner or lessee who has or desires to store motor vehicle nuisances, as defined in § 168-2 above, in an exterior storage area which exceeds 300 square feet must first apply for a permit for either temporary or permanent storage and pay a fee to Limerick Township such as may be provided from time to time by resolution of the Board of Supervisors.[1] The motor vehicle nuisances must be stored within a garage or other enclosed building or within an opaque fence at least six feet high or a chain link fence at least six feet high, screened by shrubbery around the perimeter to the height of the fence, which fence shall be locked at all times when unattended. In addition, all gas and oil or other flammable liquids shall be removed from the motor vehicles, and they shall be kept free of vermin infestation while being stored.
[1]
Editor's Note: The current fee resolution is on file in the office of the Township Secretary.
C. 
Nothing herein shall be construed to permit the storage of motor vehicle nuisances contrary to the provisions of the Limerick Township Zoning Ordinance.[2]
[2]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 184, Zoning.
A. 
The Code Enforcement 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 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 are 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 Code Enforcement Officer may request and shall then be granted a hearing before the Board of Supervisors, provided that he files with the Board of Supervisors, within 10 days after notice of the Code Enforcement Officer's decision, a written petition requesting such hearing and setting forth a brief statement of the grounds therefor, accompanied by payment of a fee which shall be set by resolution of the Board of Supervisors.[1] The hearing shall commence not later than 30 days after the date on which the petition was filed, unless postponed for sufficient cause.
[1]
Editor's Note: The current fee resolution is on file in the office of the Township Secretary.
B. 
After such hearing, the Board of Supervisors shall sustain, modify or overrule the action of the Code Enforcement Officer.
Any person 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 undergo imprisonment for a term not to exceed 90 days. Each 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.
If any sentence, clause, section or part of this chapter is for any reason found to be unconstitutional, illegal or invalid, such unconstitutionality, illegality or invalidity shall not affect or impair any of the remaining provisions, sentences, clauses, sections or parts of this chapter. It is hereby declared as the intent of the Board of Supervisors that this chapter would have been adopted had such unconstitutional, illegal or invalid sentence, clause, section or part thereof not been included herein.