[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Council of the Township of Mine Hill 3-6-2008 by Ord. No. 6-08. Amendments noted where applicable.]
A. 
The intent of this chapter is to preserve health, safety and welfare of the residents of the Township by regulating the parking and storage of various types of trailers and equipment in areas of the Township zoned for residential use.
B. 
This chapter is not intended to regulate the parking of recreation vehicles or boats which are governed by other sections of the Township Code and other laws.
As used in this chapter, the following words shall have the meanings indicated:
APPROVED STRUCTURE
Any structure that was constructed and is maintained in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, including, but not limited to, homes, garages, sheds and other enclosed structures used for storage.
COMMERCIAL EQUIPMENT
Any equipment that is used in any business and includes, but is not limited to, backhoes, rollers, pavers, dozers and commercial lawn mowers.
COMMERCIAL TRAILER
Any trailer that is used in any business.
EQUIPMENT
Any type of tool, equipment or machinery or part thereof not stored in an approved structure.
TRAILER
Any trailer, not defined as a "recreational vehicle," that has an axle and a frame that can be used to haul any type of material or equipment. This includes, but is not limited to, utility trailers, equipment trailers, construction trailers, landscaping trailers and box trailers.
A. 
No commercial equipment, commercial trailer, trailer over 12 feet in length or trailer having two axles can be parked or stored in any residential district.
B. 
Trailers and equipment, when parked or stored in residential districts, must be kept neat and clean at all times. Spiderwebs, debris, excessive dirt and weed accumulation on and under trailers and equipment are prohibited at all times, as are broken windows and flat tires. All trailers and equipment must be weather-resistant at all times.
C. 
All trailer and equipment parking and storage areas shall be properly maintained and kept free of weeds, mud and other debris.
D. 
All trailers and equipment that are eligible for registration under the motor vehicle codes of this state, when parked or stored on residential properties, must display current vehicle registration tags. Those trailers and equipment so eligible that do not display current registration tags will be considered inoperable and must be removed from the public view, which includes streets, sidewalks and adjacent properties.
E. 
All covers and tarps or any other material employed to protect trailers and equipment from the elements must be secured and be must be weatherproof.
F. 
Rocks/bricks or other weighted items cannot be used to secure the weatherproofing cover.
G. 
No trailer or equipment shall be parked or stored in any front yard.
H. 
Trailers and equipment shall not be parked or stored where such parking or storage constitutes a clear and demonstrable traffic hazard and threat to public health and safety.
I. 
No trailers and equipment shall be parked or stored in the corner lot side yard next to the street unless it complies with all other provisions of this chapter.
J. 
For lots that are 100 feet or greater in width, all trailers and equipment must not be parked within any applicable setback area, including front, side and rear yard setbacks. For lots that are less than 100 feet in width, trailers and equipment may be parked within such setback area.
K. 
All trailers and equipment in the side yard must be parked or stored on an improved surface such as concrete, asphalt, laid brick, or other impervious material. A zoning permit must be obtained before improving such area of any lot.
L. 
Trailers and equipment parked in the backyard may be parked on gravel in lieu of an impervious surface.
M. 
All paved areas, including areas used for parking and storage of trailers and equipment, shall not exceed 50% of the lot area located between the front property line and the required front setback line of the residential zone and of the lot area located between the corner side property line and the required side yard setback line of a corner lot.
N. 
Electrical hookups to trailers and equipment are prohibited.
O. 
All nonmotorized trailers and equipment must be attached to the tow vehicle if parked on a public street. Any owner of a detached, nonmotorized trailer or equipment parked on the public street will be subject to immediate citation and/or to the removal of the trailer and equipment at the owner's expense.
P. 
Trailers may be parked on public streets during daytime hours only, unless there is an emergency preventing the owner from removing it from the street.
Q. 
Minor modifications or adjustments to the requirements of this chapter may be made by means of a minor variance given by the Planning Board where conditions such as, but not limited to, lot size, lot configuration, house location, previous construction or improvements warrant a minor modification or adjustment. In no instance shall a modification or adjustment be made to the provisions of this chapter if it violates a safety concern/regulation of this chapter.
All trailers and equipment not stored inside of an approved structure, as defined herein, shall be screened from all other properties and public streets by a six-foot-high solid fence or vegetative screen on residential properties.
A. 
Any person who violates or neglects to comply with any provision of this chapter or code established herein or notice issued pursuant thereto shall, upon conviction thereof, be liable to the general penalty as stated in § 1-3 of this Code.
B. 
In addition to any other penalty that may be imposed, a person found guilty of a violation of this chapter shall be ordered to abate the problem and pay any and all costs incurred by the Township if the Township abated the problem.