[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of Dover 10-5-1981 by Ord. No. 2-81; amended in its entirety 4-5-1999 by Ord. No. 1999-1. Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Solid waste — See Ch. 131.
Vehicles and traffic — See Ch. 150.
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 street 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 the Borough of Dover.
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.
This chapter shall not apply to any item which is stored in a lawfully erected building or to any motor vehicle on display on the sales lot of a duly licensed new or used car dealer or to any motor vehicle on the lot of a service station or repair shop temporarily so located for repairs when such service station, repair shop or car dealership complies with all other applicable ordinances of the Borough of Dover.
[Amended 3-7-2005 by Ord. No. 2005-2]
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 Borough of Dover. A motor vehicle nuisance shall include any motor vehicle which is unable to move under its own power, which fails to display a current vehicle registration, which fails to display a current vehicle inspection sticker or which 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 animal or vermin harborage.
C. 
Missing doors, windows, hood, trunk or other body parts which could permit animal or vermin 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 taillamps 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 floorboards, including trunk and firewall.
O. 
Damaged bumpers pulled away from the perimeter of vehicle.
P. 
Broken grill with protruding edges.
Q. 
Loose, damaged metal trim and clips.
R. 
Broken communication equipment antennas.
S. 
Suspended on unstable supports.
T. 
Such other defects which could threaten the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the Borough of Dover.
A. 
Any person, owner or lessee who has one or more motor vehicle nuisances as defined in § 147-3 above may store such vehicle(s) in the Borough of Dover only in strict compliance with the regulations provided herein. Such person, owner or lessee must, first, apply for a permit for either temporary or permanent storage and pay a fee to the Borough of Dover such as may be provided from time to time by resolution of the Borough Council of the Borough of Dover. The motor vehicle nuisance(s) must be stored within a garage or other enclosed building or outside within an opaqued fence at least six feet high which is locked at all times when unattended. With the special approval of the Borough Council of the Borough of Dover, motor vehicle nuisances may also be stored outside 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 liquid 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 500 square feet.
B. 
Nothing herein shall be construed to permit the storage of motor vehicle nuisances contrary to the provisions of the Borough of Dover Zoning Ordinance.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 160, Zoning.
A. 
The Dover Borough police and/or the duly authorized enforcement officer/inspector 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 Dover Borough Police shall have the authority to take measures to correct the conditions and collect the cost of such corrections, plus 10% of all costs. The Borough of Dover, 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.
Any person who shall violate any provision of this chapter shall, upon conviction thereof, be punishable by a fine not exceeding $600, plus costs of prosecution for each offense, and in default of payment of such fine and costs by imprisonment in the county jail for a term not exceeding 30 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.