[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Commissioners of the Township of Hatfield 11-28-2012 by Ord. No. 639. Amendments noted where applicable.]
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
DUMPSTER — A container designed to receive and transport and dump waste which exceeds 96 gallons in size. A dumpster includes waste disposal bags that are designed to hold in excess of 96 gallons of waste and metal bins that shall not exceed 30 cubic yards in size.
PORTABLE ON-DEMAND STORAGE UNITS or PODS
Portable containers that are placed on or in front of a property for the purpose of storing, loading, or unloading furniture, clothing, or other personal or household belongings as part of the process of renovation or moving, the relocation of belongings to an off-site commercial storage location, or on-site storage in the aftermath of the property being affected by a natural disaster. Unlike trailers typically attached to semi-trucks for transport, portable storage units must be no larger than eight feet by eight feet by 16 feet.
Dumpsters and portable on-demand storage units are permitted and are hereby regulated according to the provisions below on occupied properties primarily used residentially in the following structure types:
Single-family detached dwellings
Single-family semidetached dwellings (twins)
Single-family attached dwellings (townhouses)
A. 
Dumpsters regulated.
(1) 
Location. Dumpsters shall be placed on the property being serviced and not on the street in front of the property. No commercial or construction dumpster shall be located within 10 feet of an abutting building on an adjacent property.
(2) 
Time limit.
(a) 
A dumpster may remain on a property for 30 days, with up to two thirty-day extensions pursuant to the permitting provision below. Absent an emergency condition, in no event shall a dumpster remain on a property in excess of 90 days in one twelve-month period.
(b) 
When the need for the dumpster is the result of an emergency condition at the property to be served (example: water or fire damage; hurricane damage), then in such instance the dumpster may remain for the length of time necessary to remove the debris as determined by the Code Enforcement Officer. In such instances, the use of the dumpster is not counted towards the limit of three times per twelve-month period.
(3) 
Sanitation. The following requirements shall be maintained while the dumpster is on or at the site:
(a) 
The area around the dumpster shall be kept free of debris and litter;
(b) 
Any dumpster into which animal or vegetable waste or material has been dumped or deposited shall be removed or emptied within 24 hours; and
(c) 
Any dumpster producing or causing noxious, foul or offensive odors shall be immediately removed or cleaned to eliminate the odor.
(d) 
A full dumpster shall be removed from the property within two days.
(4) 
Usage. A dumpster shall only be used to contain and remove debris and material generated at the location where the dumpster is placed.
(5) 
Identification. The name and telephone number of the owner of the dumpster and/or the company that is responsible for the dumpster shall be displayed in a weatherproof manner on the dumpster.
B. 
Portable on-demand storage units regulated.
(1) 
Location. Portable on-demand storage units are prohibited from being placed on an unpaved area in the front yard of a property. Portable storage units kept on site must be kept in the driveway or paved, off-street surface on the property at the furthest accessible point from the street. Where possible, the unit shall be placed on a paved surface to the rear or side of the principal structure. When placed on the driveway or paved area in the side or rear yard, portable storage units shall be located at least 10 feet from any property line, space permitting.
(2) 
Time limit. A portable on-demand storage unit may remain on a property for 30 days, with up to two thirty-day extensions pursuant to the permitting provision below. Absent an emergency condition, in no event shall a portable on-demand storage unit remain on a property in excess of 90 days in one twelve-month period.
(3) 
Use during natural disaster. The above restrictions notwithstanding, when the principal structure on the property has been made uninhabitable as a result of a natural disaster for which a local state of emergency declaration has been issued, or a fire or other damaging event beyond the control of the owner, one or more portable storage units may be used for on-site storage. The authorization for such use shall be dependent on issuance of a building permit for the reconstruction/repair of the principal structure(s) on the property and shall expire upon issuance of a certificate of occupancy for the principal structure(s) or 12 months from the date of the event that damaged the structure, whichever occurs first. For good cause shown and to recognize extenuating circumstances, the Code Enforcement Officer may extend the authorization for as much as an additional twelve-month period or until a certificate of occupancy is issued, whichever occurs first.
(4) 
Advertising. Advertising is prohibited on a portable storage unit, with the exception of the name and phone number of the unit's supplier, which is required.
(5) 
Hazardous materials. The use of portable storage units for storage of hazardous materials is prohibited. The Code Enforcement Officer may inspect the portable storage unit to ensure no such materials are being stored inside.
(6) 
Condition of portable storage unit. A portable storage unit with holes, breaks, tears, or large areas of rust, in the opinion of the Code Enforcement Officer, may not be placed on or in front of any property.
A thirty-day permit shall be required for a dumpster and a portable on-demand storage unit. The permit shall be obtained from the Township Code Enforcement Officer and the fee shall be set by the Commissioners by resolution. The permit shall be displayed in a weatherproof fashion on the dumpster or on a portable on-demand storage unit. Extensions are permitted pursuant to § 128-2A(2)(a) and B(2) above.
Any dumpster or portable on-demand storage unit not in compliance with this chapter is hereby declared to be a public nuisance and may be abated by the Township at the owner's or responsible person's expense. Abatement shall, at the Township's option, include the removal and/or the emptying of the dumpster and/or portable on-demand storage unit as the case may be.
A. 
Violation of any provision of this chapter shall be punishable by a fine in an amount of not more than $300 plus $50 per day the violation continues.
B. 
In addition, a person found guilty of a violation of this chapter shall be ordered to abate the problem and pay the cost incurred by the Township if the Township abated the problem.