[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of the City of Watertown as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Fire prevention — See Ch. 148.
Housing standards — See Ch. 176.
[Adopted as Ch. 71 of the 1949 Code]
When used in this article, unless otherwise expressly stated, the following words and terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ALTERATION
Any work which involves a change to the capacity of fuel-burning equipment and/or a change in the method of combustion adversely affecting the emission of smoke, dust or fumes.
BULK STORAGE OF PARTICULATE MATTER
The outdoor storage of sand, soil, salt, sawdust or similar material in an amount exceeding 200 cubic yards.
[Added 6-7-2004 by L.L. No. 2-2004]
BUREAU
The Bureau of Smoke and Air Pollution Control, Department of Fire of the City of Watertown, New York.
CINDERS, DUST, FLY ASH, SOOT, FUMES AND NOXIOUS GASES
Matter other than dense smoke, formed as a result of the combustion of fuel or in any other process producing same, which are carried in the gas stream so as to reach the external air and which have not been completely consumed by the combustion process.
CITY
The City of Watertown, New York.
DENSE SMOKE
That smoke which has a density of No. 2 or greater as established by the Ringelmann Chart as published and used by the United States Bureau of Mines which is hereby made a part of this article by reference and shall be considered standard; provided, however, that other charts having equivalent shades of gray when viewed at the intended working distance for each also may be used.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
The Fire Department or any of its duly authorized representatives.
FREESTANDING FUEL-BURNING HEAT-PRODUCING EQUIPMENT
A device or devices which are not fully enclosed within a structure and which, through the combustion of wood, coal, fuel oil, gasoline, kerosene, or other combustible material, are designed to heat water for, or otherwise provide a heat source to, a structure. This term does not include fixed or portable electric generators or portable kerosene heaters.
[Added 10-20-2003 by L.L. No. 3-2003]
FUEL-BURNING EQUIPMENT
Any boiler, furnace, incinerator, refuse burner, cupola, oven, apparatus, device, mechanism, stack or structure used in the process of burning fuel or combustible material, except a railroad locomotive, internal-combustion engine or portable equipment as defined hereinafter.
FUEL DEALER
Any person, firm or corporation engaged in the business of selling solid fuel, other than anthracite coal or coke, direct to the consumer of such fuel within the corporate limits of the City of Watertown.
INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINE
An engine in which combustion of a gaseous liquid or pulverized solid fuel takes place within one or more cylinders.
LOW-VOLATILE SOLID FUEL
A solid fuel, the volatile content of which is 23% or less, and shall have an ash content of no more than 12% on a moisture-free basis.
OPEN FIRE
Any bonfire, open incinerator basket or any fire wherein the products of combustion are emitted directly into the open air and not directed thereto through a stack or chimney.
PERSON, FIRM or CORPORATION
Person or persons, firm, corporation, institution, partnership, copartnership, organization, association, company, syndicate or any other group or groups of organized or unorganized individuals, and shall include the masculine, feminine, singular or plural in any circumstance.
PORTABLE EQUIPMENT
Any mechanism other than a steam locomotive or internal-combustion engine, such as a portable boiler, tar kettle or other apparatus which is not ordinarily permanently installed in a fixed location.
REPAIR
Any work which requires the heating, power and/or combustion equipment to be wholly or partially dismantled.
RINGELMANN CHART
That chart with instructions for use published by the United States Bureau of Mines, 1945, to determine the density of smoke.
SOLID FUEL
Any anthracite, semianthracite, bituminous, semibituminous or lignite coal, briquette, boulets, coke, gas-house coke, petroleum coke, carbonized coal, petroleum carbon or any other mined, manufactured, processed or patented fuel not sold by liquid or metered measure.
STACK or CHIMNEY
Any flue, conduit or opening arranged for emitting gases and/or products of combustion into the open air.
SURFACE-BURNING DEVICE
Any solid-fuel-burning device in which the fuel is introduced manually directly onto a hot fuel bed.
No person shall erect or maintain any barbed wire fence or other fence dangerous to animals, persons or clothing upon the line adjacent to any public street or public place.
The presence of snow and ice upon any projection of a building over or near any sidewalk or public place or public street is hereby declared to be a nuisance. The owner or occupant of any such building shall, when notified to do so by any police officer, remove or cause to be removed any snow or ice which has accumulated thereon and which is liable to fall therefrom in such a manner and at such time as shall cause the least danger or inconvenience to persons or animals in the vicinity. Each and every 24 hours during which any person responsible therefor permits any violation of this section to continue shall be deemed a separate violation hereof.
No person shall place, or cause or permit to be placed, on the windowsill or projection of any building within 10 feet of the line of any public street or public place any box, flowerpot or other movable article unless the same is firmly secured so as to prevent its falling. The placing or maintaining of any such box, flowerpot or other article not so secured is hereby declared to be a nuisance.
A. 
For the purpose of grading the density of smoke, the Ringelmann Chart, as now published and used by the United States Bureau of Mines, which is hereby made a part of this article by reference, shall be the standard; provided, however, that other charts having equivalent shades of gray when viewed at the intended working distance for each also may be used. Smoke shall be considered dense when it is equal to or of greater density than No. 2 on said chart.
B. 
The emission of dense smoke within the City of Watertown from the stack or chimney of any premises, fuel-burning equipment, portable equipment or other similar contrivance or from any open fire is prohibited, except as follows: When a firebox is being cleaned out or a new fire is being built therein, smoke shall be permitted of a density of No. 3 smoke for a period or periods aggregating six minutes or less in any three hours or of a density in excess of No. 2 smoke for a period or periods aggregating six minutes or less in any one hour.
A. 
No person or persons, firm or corporation shall cause, permit or allow to escape into the open air such quantities of soot, cinders and fumes as to be detrimental to any person or to the public or to endanger the health and safety of any such person or of the public or to cause or have a tendency to cause injury or damage to property or business for a period of or periods aggregating six minutes in any period of one hour.
B. 
Under no circumstances will fumes or noxious gases which the Bureau considers detrimental to public health be permitted to be discharged into the open air.
C. 
No person or persons, firm or corporation shall operate or cause to be operated or maintain or cause to be maintained any boiler, furnace or combustion device for the burning of coal, wholly or partly in suspension, without maintaining and operating, while using said boiler, furnace or combustion device, recognized and approved equipment, method or device to reduce the quantity of fly ash emitted into the open air and which is operated in conjunction with said furnace or combustion device so that the quantity of fly ash shall not exceed 0.85 pound per 1,000 pounds of flue gas, adjusted to 12% of CO2 content, except that in no case shall more than 15% of fly ash, measured before entering the collecting device, be emitted from the stack or discharge.
A. 
It shall be unlawful to import, sell, offer for sale, expose for sale, exchange or deliver for use and consumption in the City of Watertown or to use or consume in the City of Watertown any solid fuel for hand- or surface-burning types of equipment which has a volatile content in excess of 23% and/or an ash content in excess of 12% on a moisture-free basis.
B. 
It shall be unlawful for any person or persons, firm or corporation to use or consume in the City of Watertown any solid fuel for hand-fired or surface-burning types of equipment which does not meet the standard of a low-volatile solid fuel as set forth in this section.
C. 
It is further provided that any person or persons, firm or corporation who now uses or intends to use high-volatile solid fuel in the City of Watertown shall register with the Bureau his fuel-burning equipment on a form provided by the Bureau. If the equipment is of the mechanical fuel-burning type, the Bureau, upon such registration of the equipment and after its inspection, shall furnish without charge such person or persons, firm or corporation with a permit to use high-volatile solid fuel. Such permit shall in no way relieve the user of high-volatile solid fuel from any responsibility in the emission of dense smoke in violation of this article through improper equipment or improper operation of equipment.
D. 
Such permit to use high-volatile solid fuel shall not be transferable, and with a transfer of ownership or change of user of such high-volatile solid fuel, a new permit shall be obtained from the Bureau.
E. 
It shall be unlawful for any fuel dealer to sell or deliver, without a permit, for use in the City of Watertown high-volatile solid fuel to any person or persons, firm or corporation not having a permit from the Bureau to burn such high-volatile solid fuel. The provision of this section of this article shall become effective on January 1, 1954.
F. 
An adequate supply of coal shall be made available to the Bureau at any time or place selected by the Bureau to enable it to conduct whatever tests it deems necessary to determine if the coal meets the requirements of this article, the cost of the test to be paid for by the party whose product is tested.
G. 
It is further provided that if a fuel contains volatile matter in excess of 23% and/or 12% ash on a moisture-free basis, it shall be acceptable under the terms of this article as a low-volatile solid fuel, provided that it has been so processed that it meets the same standards in regard to smoke production as that of a fuel containing less than 23% volatile matter and/or 12% ash on a moisture-free basis and subject to the following conditions in order to ascertain whether or not such standards are met:
(1) 
Complete plans and specifications of such process must be submitted to the Bureau and, from time to time, any additional information it may reasonably require regarding the product.
(2) 
An adequate supply of the finished product must be made available to the Bureau to conduct whatever tests it deems necessary to establish its value as a smokeless solid fuel.
(3) 
Any person, firm or corporation whose product is submitted to such tests must pay in advance all expenses necessary to the attendant tests.
Before engaging in or within 30 days after the effective date of this article, if presently engaged in any business of selling solid fuel other than anthracite coal or coke direct to the consumer of such fuel within the corporate limits of the City of Watertown, the fuel dealer shall obtain a permit from the Bureau indicating the name, residence, location of place of business of the applicant and the precise nature of the business to be carried on by said registrant. Violation of this requirement and/or the sale of high-volatile solid fuel to any consumer who does not have a permit to use high-volatile solid fuel issued to him by the Bureau shall be deemed a violation and subject to the penalties herein provided. No fee shall be charged for this permit.
A. 
No new fuel-burning plants nor reconstruction or alteration of any existing fuel-burning plants for producing power and/or heat nor refuse-burning equipment nor any chimney or furnace connected with such fuel or refuse-burning equipment, except those burning anthracite coal or natural or manufactured gas, shall be installed, erected, reconstructed or altered in the City of Watertown until plans and specifications of the same have been filed by the owner or installer and have been approved by the Bureau as being so designed that same can be managed and operated to conform to the provisions of this article and prevent air pollution and a permit issued by it for such installation, erection, reconstruction or alteration.
B. 
Plans and specifications so filed with the Bureau of Smoke and Air Pollution Control shall show the type of installation, the amount of work and the amount of heating to be done by such fuel- or refuse-burning plant and all appurtenances thereto, including all provisions made for the purpose of securing complete combustion of the fuel or refuse to be used and the manner in which it is to be burned for the purpose of preventing air pollution. Said plans and specifications shall also contain a statement of the rate of burning and kind of fuel or refuse proposed to be used and the manner in which it is to be burned, and said plans and specifications shall also show that the room or premises in which fuel- or refuse-burning plants shall be located is provided with doors, windows, airshafts, fans or other means of ventilation sufficient to provide that the atmosphere of any such rooms, basement or other portion of the building wherein such fuel- or refuse-burning apparatus may be located may be changed at least every 10 minutes. Such plans shall further show the dimensions of such room in which such fuel- or refuse-burning apparatus is to be located, the location and dimensions of all chimneys and smokestacks used in connection with or as a part of said fuel- or refuse-burning plant. Upon the inspection and approval of said plans and specifications by the Bureau and upon the payment of the fees hereinafter provided, a permit for the installation or for the construction, erection, reconstruction or alteration of such fuel- or refuse-burning plant shall be issued. As soon as the Bureau has issued the permit as above provided, the applicant therefor may proceed with the work in conformity with the plans and specifications approved by the Bureau and upon which the permit was issued.
C. 
It is further provided that the owner, contractor, installer or other person making or causing alterations which change the capacity of fuel-burning equipment and which involve change in the method of combustion or adversely affect the emission of smoke, dust or fumes therefrom shall first obtain a permit from the Bureau before making such alterations or changes. Nothing in this section shall be construed as to prohibit the making of emergency alterations to any chimney, fuel- or refuse-burning plants or device when the necessity for such alteration arises outside of the business hours of the Bureau of Smoke and Air Pollution Control, provided that the owner, contractor, installer or other person permitting or making such alterations shall report the same to the Bureau of Smoke and Air Pollution Control on the first business day after such emergency alterations are commenced and apply for a permit therefor.
D. 
If such plans and specifications as described above are not submitted to the Bureau of Smoke and Air Pollution Control for approval previous to the installation of any new fuel-burning plant or the alteration or changing or reconstruction of any existing fuel-burning plant for producing power or heat, or either of them, or refuse-burning plant or any chimney connected with such fuel- or refuse-burning plant, it shall be considered a violation.
E. 
It shall be required of the owner or person making the installation of equipment for which a permit has been issued to notify the Office of Smoke and Air Pollution Control as soon as the installation work has been completed and before it is put into operation, and the Bureau shall inspect the installation to see that it conforms to the requirements set forth in the application for permit. If, upon inspection by the Bureau, it is found that the equipment does not conform to the application and does not meet with its approval, the Bureau shall notify the owner in writing that the installation as installed is not approved and that its use will be a violation of this article. The issuance and delivery, by the Bureau, of any permit for the construction, reconstruction or alteration of any plant or chimney connected with the plant shall not be held to exempt any person, firm or corporation to whom any such permit has been issued and delivered or who is in possession of any such permit from prosecution on account of the emission of dense smoke, fly ash, soot, cinders, fumes or noxious gases caused or permitted by any such person, firm or corporation.
[Amended 9-19-2016]
The fees for the inspection of plans, issuing of permits and for the inspection of furnaces or other fuel-burning apparatus or devices shall be payable by the applicant upon acceptance of the application by the Bureau. Such fees shall be established at least annually by the Watertown City Council through a budget resolution that adopts a City Fees and Charges Schedule. Such schedule shall be available to the public at the office of the Watertown City Clerk. Acceptance of an inspection by the Bureau does not necessarily mean that the permit will be granted. No refunds of permit fees will be made.
After any owner, agent, occupant, manager or lessee of any premises has been previously notified of violations of this article in respect to the emission of dense smoke, soot, cinders, fly ash, fumes or noxious gases, the owner or agent of said premises shall be notified to show cause at a hearing before the Bureau on a day certain, not less than 10 days from the date of notice, why the violations of dense smoke continue and what, if any, remedial measures have been taken. If no remedial action has been taken by the violator within 10 days after such hearing, it shall be the duty of the Bureau to institute court proceedings against the violator to invoke the penalties to this article for all violations thereof. If, after a permit for such work as is necessary to eliminate the emission of dense smoke in violation of this article has been issued by the Bureau, it becomes evident that the work is not progressing to the satisfaction of the Bureau, it shall be the duty of the Bureau to institute such court proceedings as herein provided. The Bureau, however, shall have the right to institute court proceedings, as herein provided, for any one violation of this article, and nothing herein shall waive that right.
[Amended 12-1-1986 by L.L. No. 1-1986]
A. 
Any person or persons, firm or corporation violating the provisions of this article, and all persons participating in any such violation either as owners, proprietors, lessees, agents, tenants, managers, superintendents, engineers, firemen or janitors or otherwise, shall severally be liable therefor and subject to the penalties fixed by this article. Violations, regardless of the number of any one day, shall be considered as one violation for that day.
B. 
Any person, firm or corporation violating any provision of this article shall, upon conviction, be subject to a fine of not less than $50 nor more than $250 for a first offense; not less than $100 nor more than $250 for a second offense; and not less than $200 nor more than $250 for a third, or more, offenses, all within the same calendar year.
[Amended 4-2-2007 by L.L. No. 5-2007]
It shall be unlawful for any person to refuse to comply with or to assist in the violation of any of the provisions of this article or in any manner hinder, obstruct, delay, resist, prevent or in any way interfere or attempt to interfere with the Bureau or its duly authorized representatives or police officers in the performance of any duty herein enjoined or refuse to permit such inspectors or officers to perform their duty by refusing them or either of them entrance to any premises at reasonable hours in which the provisions of this article are being violated or refuse to permit the inspection or examination of such building, establishment, premises or enclosures for the purpose of the enforcement of this article.
[Added 6-7-2004 by L.L. No. 2-2004]
A. 
No person or persons, firm or corporation shall cause, permit or allow the bulk storage of particulate matter on property in the City without providing adequate cover to insure that it is not blown or carried off the property onto properties dedicated to a residential use.
B. 
The accumulation of particulate matter emanating from uncovered bulk storage of particulate matter upon the properties dedicated to a residential use is deemed detrimental to the comfort and property of the citizens of the City and is deemed a public nuisance.
C. 
If particulate matter emanates from the uncovered bulk storage of particulate matter and is caused by wind or otherwise to accumulate to an unreasonable degree upon properties dedicated to a residential use, the person or persons, firm or corporation violating the provisions of this section shall be subject to a civil penalty of not less than $250, nor more than $500. For the purposes of this section, each day's violation shall be deemed a separate violation subject to a separate civil penalty.
D. 
Nothing in this section shall be deemed to create a private cause of action in favor of one party against another.
E. 
Notwithstanding the civil penalties called for by this section, the City Code Enforcement Supervisor may, in an appropriate case, seek to abate any public nuisance created by the bulk storage of particulate matter by seeking injunctive relief in a court of competent jurisdiction.
[Adopted 6-5-1989]
The outdoor storage of junked, abandoned, unused or dangerous motor vehicles or the parts therefrom within the City of Watertown is a hazard to the preservation of the public health, welfare and safety in that it constitutes a health, fire and safety hazard and is an attractive nuisance to children, which is a peril to their safety. Such outdoor storage constitutes a blight on the City's landscape, and it is generally unsightly, and its existence tends to depreciate the value of property in the neighborhood and the City generally. The control of the outdoor storage of junked, abandoned, unused or dangerous motor vehicles or parts therefrom within the City of Watertown is therefore regulated for the preservation of the public health, safety and welfare of its residents.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ABANDONED
Any motor vehicle, the ownership of which cannot be reasonably determined or of which the owner does not intend to recover possession or of which the owner does not intend to use on a public highway, excepting competition vehicles. The intent of the owner of a motor vehicle may be determined by the physical condition of the motor vehicle, the length of time since the motor vehicle has last been used on a public highway and whether the motor vehicle is licensed or unlicensed.
COMPETITION VEHICLES
Those vehicles which have been so modified for use on a track or dragstrip that they cannot be legally operated on a public way.
DANGEROUS
Any motor vehicle which has smashed and broken windows and/or areas of sharp and torn metal edges and points and which cannot legally be operated upon a public way.
HISTORIC MOTOR VEHICLE
A motor vehicle manufactured more than 25 years prior to the current calendar year, which is owned and operated as an exhibition piece or collectors item and is used for participation in club activities, exhibits, tours, parades and for occasional transportation and similar uses, but not generally used for daily transportation.
JUNKED
Any motor vehicle which is unregistered by the State of New York or any other state and is not operable.
LOT
A parcel of land as described on the City of Watertown Tax Map.
MOTORCYCLE
A motor vehicle having a seat or saddle for the use of the rider and designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground, but excluding a tractor.
MOTOR VEHICLE
Every vehicle which, if operated on the highways of this state, would be required by law to be licensed by the Department of Motor Vehicles of the State of New York.
OPERABLE
Any motor vehicle which can be registered in the State of New York and which can be legally operated upon a public way. A vehicle which is in a condition to pass the requirements for the New York State motor vehicle inspection sticker shall be deemed in a condition for legal use upon a public highway.
RECREATIONAL VEHICLES
Those vehicles which are either propelled by their own power or drawn on the public highways and which are used as temporary residences, such as tent trailers, travel trailers, campers or mini- and motor homes.
UNUSED
Any operable motor vehicle which is unregistered by the State of New York or any other state and/or upon which is not displayed a valid state inspection sticker.
UTILITY VEHICLES
Those vehicles having a seasonal or limited use, such as box trailers and construction trailers, and snow removal or snowplowing equipment.
VEHICLE OWNER
A person, other than a lienholder, having the property in or title to a vehicle. The term includes a person entitled to the use and possession of a vehicle subject to a security interest in another person and also includes any lessee or bailee of a motor vehicle having the exclusive use thereof, under a lease or otherwise, for a period greater than 30 days.
This article does not apply to competition vehicles, recreational vehicles, utility vehicles, motorcycles or historic vehicles, unless such vehicle is abandoned or dangerous.
A. 
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation, either as owner, occupant, lessee, agent, tenant, trespasser or otherwise, of or on any property within the City of Watertown to store or deposit or cause or permit to be stored or deposited a junked, abandoned or dangerous motor vehicle or vehicles or parts therefrom in the City of Watertown, except:
(1) 
That no more than 10 such motor vehicles may be stored at one time in an open area at a gasoline filling station or outdoors at a New York State licensed repair shop for the purpose of repair or reconditioning, only provided that the outdoor storage of a specific vehicle shall not exceed 30 days.
(2) 
That nothing herein shall restrict the storage of unused motor vehicles for sale by a duly licensed new or used car dealer.
(3) 
As otherwise provided by law.
B. 
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation, either as owner, occupant, lessee, agent, tenant, trespasser or otherwise, or on any privately owned lot within the City of Watertown to store or deposit or cause or permit to be stored or deposited more than one of either one unused vehicle or one competition vehicle in the City of Watertown. This prohibition does not apply to the one allowable vehicle so long as the one vehicle stored or deposited on the lot is not stored or deposited in a manner which creates a hazard to the health, safety or morals of the occupant of a building or the public, and he shall place the vehicle out of public view. The storage of this vehicle shall be within a wholly enclosed building or in an area enclosed by a secured wall or fence to be screened by natural objects, plantings or other appropriate means so as to not be visible from any highway, street, sidewalk or other location.
C. 
Any junked, abandoned, unused or dangerous motor vehicle or vehicles or parts therefrom stored or deposited in violation of this article on any land in the City of Watertown shall be removed by the vehicle owner, property owner, occupant, lessee, agent, tenant or other person, firm or corporation occupying, managing or controlling such land or vehicle.
A. 
This article shall be enforced by the City Engineer.
B. 
The City Engineer shall receive the assistance of the Building Inspector, the Department of Public Works, the Fire and Police Departments or officers and all other municipal officials as may be required for the total enforcement of this article, to the extent and limit determined by the Mayor.
A. 
During regular business hours or in an emergency at any hour whatsoever, the City Engineer or his representative or any duly authorized City representative, upon the showing of proper credentials and in the discharge of his duties, may enter upon any premises where a motor vehicle is stored. If access to such property is refused, the City Engineer shall apply for a search warrant in an appropriate court, and a warrant shall be issued upon a showing that there are reasonable grounds to believe that a junked, abandoned or dangerous vehicle or parts therefrom are stored or deposited on the property or that the owner of the property or the owner of the vehicle is in violation of this article.
B. 
The City Engineer or his representative or any duly authorized City representative may enter the premises without a search warrant in the case of an emergency which requires immediate action to abate a direct hazard or imminent danger to the health, safety, morals or welfare of the occupants of a building or the public.
A. 
Notice of violation. Whenever the City Engineer determines that there has been a violation of this article, he shall serve written notice upon the property owner, occupant or person having charge of such land upon which any vehicle is illegally stored or deposited and upon the vehicle's owner, if such party can be determined. Such notice shall specify the alleged violation, shall provide a ten-day time limit for compliance and shall advise the party of his right to appeal.
B. 
Notice shall be served, either personally or by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the property owner at his last known address, as shown upon the latest assessment roll, and to the vehicle's owner at his last known address, as shown upon the latest records of the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. If, after due diligence, an address for either party cannot be determined or if either party cannot be served in the above-stated manner, then the City Engineer shall cause a copy of such notice to be posted on the property or on the motor vehicle, or both. The notice shall be in substantially the following form:
TO THE OWNER OF THE MOTOR VEHICLE OR THE OWNER, OCCUPANT, LESSEE OR TENANT OF THE PROPERTY WITHIN THE CITY OF WATERTOWN, KNOWN AS:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that an abandoned, junked, unused or dangerous motor vehicle has been stored or deposited on the above-described property in the City of Watertown in violation of ________________ of the Code of the City of Watertown. Violation of ____________________ constitutes an offense. The automobile must be removed within 10 days from the date of this notice. Failure to remove in accordance with this notice may subject you to a fine of not to exceed $150. In addition, the City Engineer may cause the abandoned, junked, unused or dangerous vehicle to be removed at the property owner's expense.
Please advise the Engineering Department, Telephone No. 785-7740 of your compliance with this notice.
Dated: _______________________
City of Watertown
By
City Engineer
C. 
Right of appeal. Any person affected by a notice of violation issued in connection with the enforcement of any provision of this article or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto may request and shall be granted a hearing before the Assistant City Manager if such person shall file with said officer a written request for a hearing, setting forth the following: a brief statement of the grounds for the appeal, the name and address of a party upon whom orders may be served and the reasons why such notice of violation should be modified or withdrawn. This request must be filed within 10 days after the service of the notice of violation, and compliance with such notice shall not be required while the hearing is pending.
D. 
Failure to abate violations. In case the property owner, agent, operator, vehicle owner or occupant cannot be found within the time limit set for the abatement of said violations or if such owner, agent, operator, vehicle owner or occupant shall fail, neglect or refuse to abate such violations, the Corporation Counsel shall be advised of all facts in the case and shall institute appropriate action in the court to compel compliance.
E. 
A cause of action for recovery of penalties provided for in § 169-22 may be released, settled or comprised by the City Engineer before the matter is referred to the Corporation Counsel or thereafter by such attorney.
[Amended 4-2-2007 by L.L. No. 5-2007]
Each violation of this article shall be deemed an offense and shall be punishable by a fine not less than $50 nor more than $250 for a first offense; not less than $100 nor more than $250 for a second offense; and not less than $200 nor more than $250 for a third, or more, offenses, all within the same calendar year; or by a civil penalty of not less than $50 nor more than $500 to be recovered by the City in a civil action.
In cases in which the City Engineer determines that immediate action to abate a direct hazard or imminent danger to the health, safety, morals or welfare of the occupants of a building or the public is required, he shall promptly cause the removal of the motor vehicle, vehicles or parts presenting such hazard or danger as a public nuisance and the expense incurred by the City shall be assessed against the property upon which such vehicle was found, which assessment shall constitute a lien and charge on such property and be collected as provided by law for the collection of delinquent taxes.
The City Engineer or his representative or any duly authorized City representative is hereby authorized to remove any junked, abandoned, unused or dangerous motor vehicle or the parts thereof at the request of the property owner on whose property said vehicle or parts are stored. The cost of such removal shall be borne by the property owner making such request and shall be payable to the City Comptroller. In the event of nonpayment, the cost may be assessed against the property upon which such vehicle was found, which assessment shall constitute a lien and charge on such property and be collected as provided by law for the collection of delinquent taxes.