The purpose of this chapter is to regulate, control and license
those activities or businesses known as "automobile graveyards," junkyards,
secondhand parts collection areas, the processing of used metals for
resale and the dumping, storage and disposal of waste or used materials
of whatever composition. Without regulation and control, such activities
and businesses can constitute a hazard to persons and property and
can create a public nuisance. Stored materials may be highly flammable
or even explosive. Gasoline tanks on automobiles often contain gasoline
in some quantity and engines and other parts of stored automobiles
are frequently covered with grease and oil. Tires, plastic seats,
tops and other parts of automobiles are also flammable. Batteries
and other parts of automobiles can contain acids and other material
potentially harmful to humans. Vehicles frequently contain sharp metal
or glass edges or points from which people could receive serious cuts
and abrasions, and can constitute attractive nuisances to children
and adults. Even in commercial or industrial areas, the presence of
such junkyards is unsightly and tends to detract from the value of
the surrounding land and property unless such areas are properly maintained
and operated.
As used in this chapter, the following definitions shall have
the meanings indicated:
JUNK
Old or scrap copper, brass, rope, rags, batteries, paper,
trash, rubber debris, waste or junked, scrapped, ruined, dismantled
or wrecked motor vehicles or parts thereof, iron, steel and other
old or scrap ferrous or nonferrous material, tires, lumber, pallets
and other wood debris.
JUNKYARD
Outside storage or deposit, whether in connection with another
business or not, where two or more unregistered, old or secondhand
motor vehicles, no longer intended or in condition for legal use on
the public highways, are held, whether for the purpose of resale or
sale of used parts therefrom or the purpose of reclaiming for use
some or all of the materials therein, whether metal, glass, fabric
or otherwise or for the purpose of disposing of the same or for any
other purpose. Such term shall include any place of storage or deposit
for any such purposes of used parts or waste materials from motor
vehicles and/or material defined as junk which, taken together, equal
in volume 100 cubic feet; also any land or structure used for collection,
storage, sale or disposal of junk, scrap metal or other discarded
materials. Excluded from this definition are motor vehicles maintained
and used on a seasonal basis (i.e., motorcycles and winter or summer
cars).
MOTOR VEHICLE
Passenger automobile, truck, tractor-truck trailer, bus,
motorcycle or other vehicle, however propelled, as well as tractors,
bulldozers, machinery and equipment.
PERSON
An individual, association, partnership or corporation.
No person may engage in or conduct, individually or as an agent
or employee, any activity or business which involves the collection,
storage, burning, dumping, disassembly, dismantling, salvage or otherwise
handling or arranging for sale or resale of bodies, engines or parts
of motor vehicles, or junk or any waste material, whether composed
of wood, paper, cloth, cardboard, plastics, metals, stone, cement
or otherwise, without first obtaining a license therefor as hereinafter
provided.
Junkyards may be located only in an Industrial (I) District
of the Village of Warsaw and must be considered a special use in that
district.