[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township of Palmer 9-19-1966 as Ord. No. 80. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Bicycles — See Ch. 50.
Building Code — See Ch. 55.
Dogs — See Ch. 67.
Peddlers and transient merchants — See Ch. 118.
Property maintenance — See Ch. 128.
Refuse disposal — See Ch. 138.
Sewage systems — See Chs. 145 and 147.
Subdivision and land development — See Ch. 165.
Vehicles and traffic — See Ch. 180.
Weeds, grass and visual obstructions — See Ch. 186.
Zoning — See Ch. 190.
This ordinance shall be known and may be cited as the "Palmer Township Nuisance Ordinance."
The following words and phrases, when used in this ordinance, shall have the meaning ascribed to them in this section, except in those instances where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
HUNT
Any act or furtherance of the taking or killing of any game or wildlife, or any part or product thereof, and includes, but is not limited to, chasing, tracking, calling, pursuing, lying in wait, trapping, shooting at, including shooting at a game or wildlife facsimile, or wounding with any weapon or implement, or using any personal property, including dogs, or the property of others, of any nature, in furtherance of any of these purposes, or aiding, abetting or conspiring with another person in that purpose.
[Added 11-19-2007 by Ord. No. 2007-373]
PERSON
Every natural "person," association, partnership or corporation. Whenever used in any clause prescribing or imposing a fine, or penalty of imprisonment in default thereof, the term, as applied to associations, shall mean any member thereof; as applied to partnerships, shall mean any partner thereof; and as applied to corporations, shall mean the president, vice-president, treasurer or secretary thereof.
TOWNSHIP
Palmer Township, Northampton County, Pennsylvania.
[Amended 5-3-1971 by Ord. No. 111; 5-1-1972 by Ord. No. 122]
It shall be unlawful for any person, either directly or indirectly, whether through action, inaction, negligence or through agents or otherwise, to do, authorize, aid or abet the violation of any of the following described regulations or restrictions, intended to promote general safety, health, comfort and convenience of the township, and any person doing so shall be deemed guilty of a nuisance.
A. 
Injure or destroy any property, either owned by the township or by other persons in or along any public highway or place of the township.
B. 
Start, or cause or permit to be started, any bonfire or fire for the purpose of burning paper, debris, garbage, rubbish, straw, shavings or leaves or any other substances within the limits of the township.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See also Ch. 138, Refuse Disposal, § 138-5.
C. 
Knowingly make false reports to the township police.
D. 
Cast, dump, deposit or throw any paper, boxes, cement, waste, earth, bricks, stone, coal, wood, ashes, lime, shavings, rubbish, sewage or any substance of any kind, except for the purpose of immediate loading or removing on a public highway or sidewalk within the township.[2]
[2]
Editor's Note: See also Ch. 138, Refuse Disposal, § 138-3C, and Ch. 118, Peddlers and Transient Merchants, § 118-8.
E. 
Drive any wagon, cart, automobile or other vehicle, to ride any bicycle or motorcycle, or to coast or sled-ride, upon any sidewalk within the township, provided that this subsection shall not be construed to prohibit the use of entrances from the public highway to private property.[3]
[3]
Editor's Note: See also Ch. 180, Vehicles and Traffic.
F. 
Throw, drop or place, or cause to be thrown, dropped or placed, upon any of the public highways, sidewalks or public places within the township, or upon any porch, step or yard of any house or store along any of the public highways within the township any posters, circulars, bills, handbills or other advertising matter of any kind or description whatever.
G. 
Throw, drop or place, or cause to be thrown, dropped or placed, upon any of the highways, sidewalks or other public places within the township, any paper, paper boxes or literature of like kind or nature, or waste matter of any kind whatsoever.[4]
[4]
Editor's Note: See also Ch. 138, Refuse Disposal, § 138-3C, and Ch. 118, Peddlers and Transient Merchants, § 118-8.
H. 
Nail, tack, hang or otherwise append any sign, notice or advertisement of any kind whatsoever on any tree, post or pole of any description within the township, except on private property and then only by permission of the owner.
I. 
Drive or cause to be driven any car or wagon or motor vehicle containing garbage, earth, rubbish or any materials of like character through any public highway in the township, unless such cart, wagon or motor vehicle has a good and sufficient tailboard and body sufficiently tight and closed at the sides and bottom to prevent the contents from dropping off the vehicle and a cover to eliminate odors or prevent contents from blowing off the vehicle.[5]
[5]
Editor's Note: See also Ch. 138, Refuse Disposal, § 138-4D.
J. 
Ride horseback upon sidewalks or sidewalk areas, schoolgrounds or recreation areas, or gallop, canter or trot a horse upon streets in built-up areas, but may walk a horse only upon streets in the built-up areas.
K. 
Harbor a dog or dogs which continually bark.[6]
[6]
Editor's Note: See also Ch. 67, Dogs.
L. 
Blow horns of motor vehicles where such hornblowing is unnecessary and only serves to annoy residents.
M. 
Use the public streets as a proving ground, amusement thoroughfare or other objectionable practices by operators of motor vehicles.
N. 
Permit the growing and accumulation of grass, weeds, plants and shrubbery in any sidewalk area.[7]
[7]
Editor's Note: See also Ch. 186, Weeds; Visual Obstructions.
O. 
Willfully make or cause to be made any loud, boisterous or unseemly noise so as to disturb or annoy the peaceful residents of the township at, near or upon any street, lane, alley, park, common, or in any public building, public place or business place, or in any means of public conveyance within the township, or who shall be drunk or disorderly at, in or upon such places.[8]
[8]
Editor's Note: See also Ch. 118, Peddlers and Transient Merchants, § 118-7.
P. 
Act in such a manner as might tend to cause riot, panic, violence or general disturbance.
Q. 
Discharge any gun, pistol or other firearm, fireworks or other explosive without authority.
R. 
Obstruct the sidewalk, pavement or highways or to participate in unlawful gatherings, or to vex, hinder or annoy other persons, whereby the public peace or comfort is broken or the public annoyed.[9]
[9]
Editor's Note: See also Ch. 118, Peddlers and Transient Merchants, § 118-8.
S. 
Lounge, loiter or loaf upon the street corners, curbs or sidewalks, in front of or at the doors of any private residence, store, shop or business place, in or about churches, hallways, alleyways, entrances, exits or passageways of public buildings or theaters.
T. 
Indecently expose his or her person, bathe naked in the public view, or ease himself or herself in the public view.
U. 
Use indecent, vile or profane language upon the public streets or in public places.
V. 
Beg from door to door.[10]
[10]
Editor's Note: See also Ch. 118, Peddlers and Transient Merchants.
W. 
Construct, suffer or maintain any cellar, excavation, fence, wall, mound, pile, sinkhole, ditch, building, structure or part thereof in any unsafe, unsanitary or overcrowded manner, or to fail to provide the same with adequate means of ingress, egress, or to fail to sufficiently protect, remove, abate, ventilate, sewer, drain, clean, light or support the same either by its own construction or connection, and any person owning a property in question shall be equally liable with any person occupying such property for a violation of this subsection.
X. 
Neglect or refuse to promptly regard and obey the orders of any police officer in respect to the discharge of his duties and in the enforcement of the township ordinances.
Y. 
Congregate or assemble at, near or about a place where a fire is in progress, or where the fire or police apparatus has been summoned by an alarm or necessity and thereby hinder, delay or obstruct any such apparatus, its men and equipment, or render dangerous by such assembling the management or handling of such apparatus.
Z. 
Post or distribute posters or literature on properties or school facilities owned, rented or leased by the Easton Area School District without authorization from proper school authorities.
AA. 
Use or occupy properties or school facilities owned, rented or leased by the Easton Area School District without authorization from proper school authorities.
BB. 
Maintain any building, lot or premises in such condition that such building, lot or premises provides shelter or protection for rodents, insects or other pest life or in such condition that such building, lot or premises would be conducive to rodents, insects or pest life.
CC. 
Allow the accumulation of abandoned motor vehicles, garbage, refuse or any material or thing which provides shelter, protection or food for rodents, insects or other pest life or which would be conducive to providing shelter, protection or food for rodents, insects or other pest life.
DD. 
Suffer, maintain or keep any building, lot or premises which is infested with rodents, insects or other pest life.
EE. 
Plow, cultivate, fill or maintain any field, ditch, lot or stream in such a manner that endangers public roads or causes undue erosion or loss of soil or subsoil through erosion, windstorm or otherwise.
FF. 
Fill or pollute any stream with soil, chemicals or other matter or to fill or pollute the air with smoke, dust, fumes or an offensive odor of any kind.
GG. 
Operate any unlicensed minibike, motorcycle, snowmobile, air-cushion vehicle or motor vehicle upon any private property, unopened road or right-of-way without the permission of the owner or one of the owners or persons entitled to use such property, unopened road or right-of-way, or to operate any such vehicle upon any public sidewalk or park.
HH. 
Operate or park any unlicensed minibike, motorcycle, snowmobile, air cushion vehicle or motor vehicle upon any public road or public place, or to operate or park any licensed or unlicensed minibike, motorcycle, snowmobile, air cushion vehicle or motor vehicle without the permission of the real property owner upon any portion of public real property or private real property of another which is posted as prohibiting such operation, or which is grassed, covered with growing things of value or not otherwise designed to reasonably accommodate the type of vehicle in question.
[Added 4-9-1974 by Ord. No. 151]
II. 
Commit any nuisance, common law or otherwise, or to violate any township ordinance in any way which amounts to a nuisance.
[Added 4-9-1974 by Ord. No. 151]
JJ. 
In the absence of a privilege, to point any deadly weapon at another, or threaten another with the same.
[Added 4-9-1974 by Ord. No. 151]
KK. 
In the absence of an emergency or a permit from Township police, to land, operate or fire any aircraft, helicopter, gas or air balloon, spacecraft, rocketship or parachute, or to throw or drop any object from any of the foregoing upon any public property or private property not expressly designed and approved for said purpose by federal or state authorities.
[Added 4-9-1974 by Ord. No. 151]
LL. 
Hold or organize any dance, concert or other public gathering which is open to the public and which does or which can reasonably be expected to attract or involve more than 250 persons without first informing the Township police and obtaining a special permit for the same, which permit may be conditioned upon the applicant's providing and paying for the presence of one Township policeman for each 250 persons present. This section shall not apply to indoor activities of nonprofit places of religious worship or drive-in movie theaters.
[Added 4-9-1974 by Ord. No. 151]
MM. 
After having been informed in essence at least once that a noise or sound can be heard within a dwelling house or apartment of another, to produce or continue to produce between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. any unnecessary noise or to play any musical instrument or radio, phonograph or television producing a sound during such hours in such manner that the noise or sound can be heard within the dwelling house or apartment of another; except with regard to a Township-sponsored event, wherein the time for the production of sound, noise or music is extended to 12:00 midnight. The maximum fine for a violation of this subsection shall not exceed $600 and, in default thereof, violators shall be committed to the Northampton County Prison for a period not exceeding 30 days.
[Added 4-9-1974 by Ord. No. 151; amended 3-19-2001 by Ord. No. 2001-302; 7-23-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-454]
NN. 
After having been informed in essence at least once that a noise is offensive, to produce or continue to produce any unnecessary noise which is offensive to a normal person. The maximum fine for a violation of this subsection shall not exceed $600 and, in default thereof, violators shall be committed to the Northampton County Prison for a period not exceeding 30 days.
[Added 4-9-1974 by Ord. No. 151; amended 7-23-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-454]
OO. 
Post or continue to post any sign at or visible from a public place which violates the Township Zoning or Intersectional Clearance Ordinances,[11] or which incorrectly states the zoning classification of any area or tract or lot of ground.
[Added 4-9-1974 by Ord. No. 151]
[11]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 190, Zoning, and Ch. 186, Weeds; Visual Obstructions.
PP. 
After having been informed in essence at least once to leave by the owner or owner's agents or Township police, either orally or by posted signs, to remain on or refuse to leave any private property, store or shopping center.
[Added 4-9-1974 by Ord. No. 151]
QQ. 
Remain on or refuse to leave any public park during any nighttime closing hours set and posted by the Board of Supervisors, or to violate duly posted park rules. The maximum fine for a violation of this subsection shall not exceed $600 and, in default thereof, violators shall be committed to the Northampton County Prison for a period not exceeding 30 days.
[Added 4-9-1974 by Ord. No. 151; amended 7-23-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-454]
RR. 
Hunt on property owned by the Township.
[Added 11-19-2007 by Ord. No. 2007-373]
SS. 
Throw, blow, shovel, plow, push, dump or by any other manner deposit any snow, ice, slush or other form of frozen precipitation upon any state highway, Township road, median, roadside shoulder and swale, intersection sight triangle, inlet, public sidewalk, fire hydrant or privately owned property without the permission from the property owner. Exempted from these restrictions are state and municipal employees and other individuals contracted by said state or municipal governmental authorities expressly for the purpose of snow and ice removal and/or plowing.
[Added 8-26-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-435]
All ordinances, specifically Ordinance No. 4, or parts of ordinances inconsistent herewith be and the same are hereby repealed.
[Amended 10-25-1988 by Ord. No. 227; 11-19-2007 by Ord. No. 2007-373]
Any person or persons charged with the violation of any of the provisions of this ordinance, or the commission of any of the acts herein defined to be nuisances, upon conviction thereof before a District Justice, shall pay a fine not to exceed $600 and, in default thereof, be committed to the Northampton County Prison for a period not exceeding 30 days.
The provisions of this ordinance are severable; and if any part hereof shall be held to be unconstitutional or otherwise invalid by any court, such decision shall not affect or impair any of the remaining provisions of the ordinance. It is declared to be the intent of the Board of Supervisors that this ordinance would have been adopted even if such invalid provision had not been included therein.
This ordinance shall become effective five days after enactment hereof.
[Added 5-1-1972 by Ord. No. 122; amended 10-25-1988 by Ord. No. 227]
A. 
Each day of violation of the particular code or ordinance applicable shall be considered a separate offense, for which the fines and penalties stated herein may be imposed on a daily basis.
B. 
For collection of fines and penalties, see § 1-16E of Chapter 1, General Provisions.