This chapter is adopted for the preservation of the public's health, welfare and safety in that deteriorating vehicles, machinery and other junk are not merely unsightly but are also attractive to young children who may be injured when playing in and around such vehicles, machinery and other junk which are known to breed disease, as same trap foul water and may become infested with vermin. It is the objective of this chapter to remove the adverse consequences of such conditions.
A. 
The singular number shall include the plural number, and the masculine gender shall include the feminine and neuter.
B. 
The following words or phrases, as used in this chapter, are hereby defined, unless in the context wherein a different meaning is obviously intended:
ABANDON
To relinquish all connection with and concerning an automobile or other automotive-related property, including engines, tires, rims, doors, hoods, bumpers, chassis and frames, axles and drivetrains. A vehicle shall be presumed abandoned if it has been in the same location for at least 45 consecutive days and is damaged or missing critical components, such as the engine, wheels, tires, doors and panels or any other part of the vehicle, that make it either mechanically inoperable in said condition or incapable of legal travel; has a broken window or windshield that limits visibility; has one or more flat tires; does not have valid license plates; and is not legally registered.
AUTOMOTIVE JUNK
As included in the word "junk," all automobiles, motorcycles, trucks, motor vehicles, tractors and apparatus propelled by other than muscular power and capable of transporting passengers or merchandise that have been abandoned or discarded.
GARAGE
Any building in which a motor vehicle is or may be stored.
JUNK
Any apparatus or device of whatever material or any part or parts thereof which is discarded or abandoned. Any such apparatus or device placed on the land or property of another person without the consent and permission of the owner of such land or property shall be deemed discarded junk.
PERSON
Includes a person, individual, association, company, copartnership and corporation and any group of persons, whether joint or several.
PRIVATE LANDS
All property other than public.
PUBLIC LANDS
All properties devoted to public use, including those whereon public buildings are erected, and all streets, roads or highways, however designated.
A. 
Nothing contained in this chapter or any article of this chapter shall be construed to be contrary to the provisions of the Motor Vehicle Junk Law, N.J.S.A. 39:11-1 et seq. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to permit, suffer or allow the conduct of any motor vehicle junk business or other junkyard.
B. 
The provisions of this chapter shall not be construed so as to permit the use of any lands or any building for a use contrary to any provision within Chapter 190, Zoning.
C. 
The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to the deposit of junk for garbage collection or recycling, as required or permitted by the Borough Code or other law, nor shall the same be deemed to limit, prevent or otherwise restrict the Borough or its agents, servants and employees in the collection, storage or disposal of junk or in the performance of public business or other related duties.
D. 
The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to a licensed service station operator or a licensed new or used automobile dealer where said motor vehicle is being or is about to be repaired or is being disposed of or scrapped, nor shall this chapter apply to lawfully operated junkyards or to motor vehicles located in garages or other buildings.
E. 
Nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed so as to prohibit the storage of materials, automobiles or automotive junk, as defined herein, in any enclosed building or structure.
A. 
No person shall park, deposit, discard or place any junk or any automotive junk on the lands of another without the express consent of the owner thereof.
B. 
No person shall park, deposit, discard or place any junk or any automotive junk on any lands owned or occupied by the resident.
C. 
No junk or automotive junk shall be placed, deposited, discarded or parked on any lands except as may be permitted by the provisions of this chapter or other applicable law.
A. 
Removal. Upon any junk or automotive junk being found abandoned in a public place, the Zoning Officer, Hunterdon County Division of Public Health Services or any other agency having jurisdiction shall cause the same to be removed and disposed of and, upon the owner or person responsible for abandoning such junk being ascertained, cause proper prosecution of this chapter to be instituted.
B. 
Notice and recovery of costs.
(1) 
Upon any junk or automotive junk being found abandoned on any private lands, the Zoning Officer, Hunterdon County Division of Public Health Services or any other agency having jurisdiction shall cause notice thereof to be given to the owner and the occupant of such lands. If the owner or occupant disclaims ownership thereof, the Zoning Officer, Hunterdon County Division of Public Health Services or any other agency having jurisdiction shall cause such junk or automotive junk to be removed and disposed of, but if it is ascertained that the owner or occupant is the owner of such junk or automotive junk or responsible for the abandonment thereof, then the Zoning Officer, Hunterdon County Division of Public Health Services or any other agency having jurisdiction shall initiate legal proceedings against such owner or occupant for violation of this chapter and also for recovery of any cost and expense incurred in the removal and disposal of such junk or automotive junk.
(2) 
Upon the name of the owner of such junk or automotive junk or of the person responsible for the abandonment thereof being ascertained before removal thereof, where the abandonment is on private lands, by whomever owned, such owner or other person shall be notified in writing that a violation of this chapter exists, that such junk or automotive junk must be removed within 15 days by such owner or other person and that, in default thereof, such owner or other person will be guilty of a violation of this chapter, subject to prosecution therefor, and that said junk or automotive junk will be removed by the municipality and the cost and expense of the removal and disposal thereof will be charged to such owner or other person, unless removed and disposed of according to law. Upon the failure of such owner or other person to comply with such notice, the Zoning Officer, Hunterdon County Division of Public Health Services, or any other agency having jurisdiction shall cause prosecution to be instituted against such owner or other person for violation of this chapter and for recovery of the costs and expenses incurred in removing and disposing of such junk or automotive junk.
C. 
Prosecution. Upon ascertaining the name of the owner of any junk or automotive junk that has been removed or removed and disposed of or of the person responsible for the abandonment thereof, the Zoning Officer, Hunterdon County Division of Public Health Services, or any other agency having jurisdiction shall cause prosecution of the owner or other person for violation of this chapter and also for the expense and costs of the removal and disposal of such junk or automotive junk.