This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "College Township Solicitors and Temporary Businesses Ordinance."
This chapter is enacted and ordained under the grant of powers by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.
This chapter is enacted to monitor and control the activities of solicitors and temporary businesses that would not be covered by the zoning process so as to maintain the health, safety, and welfare of the Township residents.
Any solicitor or temporary business, as defined in this chapter, must obtain a permit from the College Township Municipal Office.
A. 
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
CHARITABLE EVENT
An event sponsored by an organization with its sole purpose to benefit a community or charitable cause.
NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION
Organizations which are exempt from taxation by the United States Treasury Department, such as religious or charitable organizations.
OWNER
The legal or beneficial owner(s) of land, including the holder of an option or contract to purchase, whether or not such option or contract is subject to any condition.
SOLICITOR
Any person or group engaging in the activity of canvassing, peddling or soliciting who is obtaining information through the collection of money, donations, tickets or coupons or in the selling by sample or by orders or otherwise, within the municipality, or whether by foot, from a structure, by vehicle or telephone or by any other manner.
TEMPORARY BUSINESS
A person or group engaging on a limited-time basis, not to exceed 13 weeks per calendar year or as permitted in § 200-41, whichever is greater, in the sale of personal property, consumer goods, or services at a fixed location within the Township.
[Amended 9-3-1998 by Ord. No. O-98-11; 3-2-2006 by Ord. No. O-06-01; 2-20-2014 by Ord. No. O-14-01]
B. 
Exclusions. The foregoing definitions shall be deemed not to include any of the following activities and are excluded from permits and fees:
(1) 
Campaigning for political office, whether conducted in person, in public, by telephone or by mail.
(2) 
The solicitation of donations by mail or by telephone.
(3) 
Any sale, collection of money, taking of orders for personal property or services at a prearranged appointment.
(4) 
Produce that was grown on the premises.
(5) 
Yard sales or garage sales which occur solely on an individual's private property and have no more than six days per year total.
(6) 
Outdoor, on-premise, business displays (sidewalk sales); not to exceed three feet from the front wall of the business, and arranged to minimize obstruction of the walkway.
(7) 
A fund-raising activity conducted by an organization, on its own property, for a charitable cause.
(8) 
A promotional activity conducted by a business that involves celebrities, such as sports or entertainment celebrities; or costumed individuals, such as Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny and various other costumed animals, that are used solely to attract customers, as long as such activity does not occur within the public right-of-way or does not block vehicular access.
(9) 
Any temporary business that is conducted within the interior of an existing store or business office. Note: such temporary businesses are responsible for obtaining a zoning permit if a change of use is to occur.
(10) 
A contractor's office or storage shed as regulated under § 200-41, Temporary uses.
[Added 3-2-2006 by Ord. No. O-06-01]