[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Board of the Township of Putnam 3-8-1960 by Ord. No. 1; readopted at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I). Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Public nuisances — See Ch. 231.
Zoning — See Ch. 340.
The purpose of this chapter is to license and regulate junkyards and places for dismantling of automobiles, to prescribes rules, regulations, and conditions for the operation of the same, to provide penalties for the violation of any rule, regulation, or condition contained therein, and to provide penalty for the operation of same without license.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
JUNKYARD
Any lot, field, enclosure or building wherein the business of collecting iron, brass, copper, lead, zinc, rags, paper, or other material shall be made for the purpose of resale or storage.
PLACE OF DISMANTLING OF AUTOMOBILES
Any used car lot, garage, lot, field, enclosure, building or any other place where the business of dismantling of automobiles is carried on or where parts are taken from automobiles and sold or stored; provided, this shall not mean to apply to garages or other places where automobiles are repaired.
The fee for operating any junkyard or place for the dismantling of automobiles shall be $20 per year or $12 for each half year.
A. 
Any person, firm, association or corporation who shall desire to engage in the operation of a junkyard or place for dismantling of automobiles shall petition the Township Board for license to operate the same, and such petition shall state which business they shall engage in and such other information that shall enable the Board to determine whether such license shall be granted, and shall be signed by such persons, firm, association, or corporation.
B. 
Attached to the above petition there shall be a petition signed by 80% of all the property owners within a radius of 80 rods from where such business shall be engaged in, plus 1/2 mile along the main highway, wherein such signers of the petition shall give such person, firm, association or corporation permission to set up and establish such business at the location stated. All the signers of the above petition shall state the legal description of the property of which they are owners.
C. 
Upon filing of a petition signed by 80% of all the property owners within a radius of 80 rods plus 1/2 mile along main highway of any junkyard or place for dismantling of automobiles, stating that they wish such a business removed, or upon a resolution of the Township Board, it shall be a duty of the Township Clerk to call a public hearing for the purpose of hearing the issues involved. If after hearing the Board shall decide that there is a just cause, they shall by resolution revoke the license of such business. All hearings called under this chapter shall be held at the Town Hall. Notices given by the Township Clerk shall state the time and place of such hearing. One copy shall be given to the proprietor of such business, one copy to the first signer of the petition, and three copies shall be posted throughout the Township.
Any person, firm, association or corporation who shall be granted a license to operate any junkyard or place for the dismantling of automobiles, shall conduct their business by the following rules:
A. 
The premises where such a business shall be established shall be 100 feet back from center of the highway and entirely enclosed by a board fence at least eight feet high. The boards of such fence shall be placed in a vertical position and in close order. It shall be kept in repair and shall be painted. Any gate or opening shall be kept closed except when in actual use.
B. 
Any material which is of combustible nature shall be stored as to prevent fire. Any combustible material not intended for use shall be disposed of. If material is burned, a suitable retainer shall be used and it shall be kept under control at all times. No fire shall be allowed to continue without an attendant.
The Supervisor of Putnam Township shall be the enforcement officer of this chapter.
A. 
Any person, firm, association, or corporation operating any junkyard or place for dismantling of automobile at the time of the adoption of this chapter shall have 60 days to comply with the provisions herein.
B. 
Any person, firm, association, or corporation who shall decide to vacate their place of business, or who shall have their license revoked, shall have 30 days to clean up the premises where such business was established. Failing to comply with the provisions, the Township Board shall cause such premises to be cleaned up and shall collect the cost of such from such person, firm, association or corporation of any member thereof.
Any firm, person, association, or corporation who shall violate any rule, regulation, or condition of this chapter or shall operate the same without a license shall upon conviction thereof forfeit a sum not to exceed $100 together with the cost of prosecution or be imprisoned in the county jail for a period of not more than 90 days, or both such fine and imprisonment, in the discretion of the court.
Any person, firm, or corporation, or his or its employees, agents or officers who shall operate a junkyard or a place for the dismantling of automobiles in violation of the terms and provisions of this chapter, shall be guilty of maintaining a public nuisance and shall be guilty of misdemeanor and shall be punished as provided in § 196-8 hereof. This continuance of such public nuisance as hereinbefore referred to shall constitute a nuisance per se and the same may be restrained by proceedings in the Circuit Court for the County of Livingston, State of Michigan, in chancery, upon complaint of the Supervisor and Clerk of Putnam Township and the institution of such proceedings shall not be a bar to the arrest, prosecution and conviction of any person, firm, or corporation violating the terms and provisions of this chapter or any suit to recover such penalty in an action at law.