[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Commissioners of Upper Moreland Township 4-6-2009 by Ord. No. 1574; amended in its entirety 5-4-2015 by Ord. No. 1651. Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Construction standards — See Ch. 115.
Contractors — See Ch. 119.
Use and maintenance of streets and sidewalks — See Ch. 290.
Zoning — See Ch. 350.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION DUMPSTERS
Movable refuse container, including "roll-off" containers intended to be used for the temporary storage of refuse from a demolition, cleanout or construction site, but not used for any food waste.
CONSTRUCTION TRAILERS
Movable wheeled trailers not exceeding 20 feet in length for residential and 40 feet in length for commercial that are used in connection with the performance of construction work, and which may be designed or intended to convey tools, equipment, construction materials, building materials or other construction-related items to and from a construction site by a building contractor or property owner, and which are located on any site at which construction work is actively being performed, has commenced and temporarily ceased, or for which a building permit for construction work has been issued where construction activity is not actively progressing. A single construction trailer parked on a property by one of that property's residents, when used in conjunction with an occupation of that resident, shall be exempt from the requirements of this chapter (provided the occupation is not that of a junk dealer, and provided further that parking such a trailer does not conflict with § 20.6, Parking of commercial vehicles).[1] Portable classrooms shall not be considered "construction trailers" nor any trailer used for overnight human occupation.
[Amended 1-9-2017 by Ord. No. 1672]
PORTABLE STORAGE UNITS
Portable sheds or large movable boxes not exceeding 20 feet in length for residential and 40 feet in length for commercial and 10 feet in height (hereinafter referred to as "PSUs") that are loaded with materials and placed on a residential or nonresidential parcel for purposes of temporary storage of materials, including but not limited to household goods, building materials (prior to being used for building purposes), and for any other storage on a limited or temporary basis. Provided the portable storage unit is used and permitted as provided in this chapter, such units shall not be considered an accessory structure as provided under Title 10, Zoning Code,[2] of the Code of Upper Moreland Township. Dumpsters shall not be considered portable storage units.
[Amended 1-9-2017 by Ord. No. 1672]
[1]
Editor's Note: See § 350-173.
[2]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 350, Zoning.
A. 
Prior to the placement of any PSU, construction or demolition dumpster or construction trailer on any parcel in Upper Moreland Township or on any public street in the Township, the owner of such parcel, or, in the case of a construction or demolition dumpster or construction trailer, the registered owner of the unit, must apply for and obtain a permit for the placement of such PSU or construction trailer from Upper Moreland Township.
B. 
All applications for an initial permit under this section for a PSU or construction or demolition dumpster shall be for a maximum of 60 days; all applications for an initial permit under this section for a construction trailer shall be for a maximum of six months and shall contain a diagram depicting the proposed location of the PSU, construction or demolition dumpster or construction trailer for approval by the Township Code Official.
[Amended 12-6-2021 by Ord. No. 1726]
C. 
The Township shall collect an application fee for any permit issued hereunder, in an amount to be fixed by resolution of the Board of Commissioners, from time to time. No fee shall be required for a construction or demolition dumpster used with any other permit fee.
D. 
Permits issued under this section, and any renewal of permits issued hereunder, must be signed by a code official of the Township and prominently displayed on the PSU, construction or demolition dumpster or construction trailer for which the permit is issued in a sealed and watertight manner, so as to protect the permit from denigration by the weather, rain or other elements.
[Amended 12-6-2021 by Ord. No. 1726]
After the expiration of the sixty-day period for the initial permit in the case of a PSU or construction or demolition dumpster, and after the expiration of the six-month period for the initial permit in the case of a construction trailer, an applicant for a portable storage unit may submit a renewal application for an additional 60 days in the case of a PSU, or six months in the case of a construction trailer, which same application shall not be unreasonably refused by the Township. An applicant for a construction or demolition dumpster may submit an application for an additional 30 days only, which application shall not be unreasonably refused by the Township. All such applications for extension of a permit must be accompanied by an extension fee in an amount to be fixed by resolution of the Board of Commissioners from time to time.
A. 
Unless otherwise permitted by the Code Enforcement Official and police, no PSU or construction trailers or construction or demolition dumpster may be kept, stored, or located for more than five days on a public street in Upper Moreland Township.
B. 
Unless a driveway or paved area does not exist, or unless directed otherwise by the Code Enforcement Official, PSUs, construction or demolition dumpsters and construction trailers shall be placed on a paved portion of the lot as far from the street as possible. The minimum distance of a PSU, construction or demolition dumpster, or construction trailer from a principal building shall be five feet. The ultimate location of the PSU or construction trailer or construction or demolition dumpster shall be at the direction of the Code Enforcement Official in order to minimize the effect on traffic and neighboring properties.
C. 
If a PSU or construction or demolition dumpster is placed in the street, reflectors and/or flashing warning lights shall be used to make it more visible to drivers and bicyclists.
D. 
PSUs and construction or demolition dumpsters may not be placed in such a position that they create sight obstructions for traffic.
E. 
Any PSU or construction or demolition dumpster permitted to be placed on a public street shall display, in addition to the permit, the owner's name or company logo, telephone number and any unique identification number. The permit holder shall be responsible for any damage to the street.
A. 
Portable storage units or construction trailers shall be kept locked when not in use.
B. 
If a PSU or construction trailer contains any hazardous chemicals, material safety data sheets shall be provided to the Code Enforcement Officer and Fire Marshal.
C. 
Contents of dumpsters shall be properly secured so as not to be deposited outside of the dumpster.
A. 
No more than two PSUs may be placed on a nonresidential property at one time.
B. 
Upon application, the Code Enforcement Officer may permit up to three PSUs and two construction trailers or construction or demolition dumpsters on a nonresidential site or on a residential development site.
C. 
Applications for additional PSUs or construction trailers may be granted by the Board of Commissioners only upon a showing that the additional PSU, construction or demolition dumpster or construction trailer is reasonably required for temporary storage or construction purposes and not adverse to the public interest.
A. 
Any person who shall place a PSU, construction or demolition dumpster or construction trailer in violation of this chapter shall, upon conviction before a Magisterial District Judge, be sentenced to pay a fine not exceeding $300, together with the costs of prosecution. Each day in which a violation shall continue after due notice to the property owner shall be deemed a separate offense, punishable by the terms and conditions provided under this section.
B. 
Any Code Enforcement Official or law enforcement officer of Upper Moreland Township is duly empowered to enforce the terms, conditions and provisions of this ordinance and to commence such summary criminal proceedings as may be warranted upon finding of any violation of the terms, conditions and provisions of this Ordinance.