[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of
Collingdale 7-1-1974 by Ord. No. 463; amended in its entirety 10-5-1987 by Ord. No.
568 (Ch. 10, Part 3, of the 1987 Code of Ordinances).
Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
A.
LESSEE
MOTOR VEHICLE
NUISANCE
OWNER
PERSON
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated, unless a different meaning clearly appears from the context:
Owner, for the purpose of this chapter, when the lessor holds
the lessee responsible for maintenance and repairs.
Any type of mechanical device propelled by a motor, in which
persons or property may be transported upon public street or highways,
and including trailers or semitrailers pulled thereby.
Any condition, structure or improvement which shall constitute
a threat or potential threat to the health, safety or welfare of the
citizens of the Borough.
The actual owner, agent or custodian of the property on which
motor vehicles are stored, whether individual or partnership, association
or corporation.
A natural person, firm, partnership, association, corporation
or other legal entity.
B.
In this chapter, the singular shall include the plural; the plural
shall include the singular; and the masculine shall include the feminine
and the neuter.
It shall be unlawful for any person, owner or lessee to maintain
a motor vehicle nuisance upon the open private grounds of such person,
owner or lessee within the Borough. A motor vehicle nuisance shall
include any motor vehicle which is unable to move under its own power
and has any of the following physical defects:
A.
Broken windshields, mirrors or other glass with sharp edges.
B.
One or more flat or open tires or tubes which could permit vermin
harborage.
C.
Missing doors, windows, hood, trunk or other body parts which could
permit animal harborage.
D.
Any body parts with sharp edges, including holes resulting from rust.
E.
Missing tires resulting in unsafe suspension of the motor vehicle.
F.
Upholstery which is torn or open which could permit animal and/or
vermin harborage.
G.
Broken headlamps or tail-lamps with sharp edges.
H.
Disassembled chassis parts apart from the motor vehicle, stored in
a disorderly fashion or loose in or on the vehicle.
I.
Protruding sharp objects from the chassis.
J.
Broken vehicle frame suspended from the ground in an unstable manner.
K.
Leaking or damaged oil pan or gas tank which could cause fire or
explosion.
L.
Exposed battery containing acid.
M.
Inoperable locking mechanism for doors or trunk.
N.
Open or damaged floor boards, including trunk and fire wall.
O.
Damaged bumpers pulled away from the perimeter of vehicle.
P.
Broken grill with protruding edges.
Q.
Loose or damaged metal trim and clips.
R.
Broken communication equipment antennas.
S.
Suspended on unstable supports.
T.
Such other defects which could threaten the health, safety and welfare
of the citizens of the Borough.
A.
Any person, owner or lessee who has one or more motor vehicle nuisances as defined in § 579-2 above may store such vehicle(s) in the Borough only in strict compliance with the regulations provided herein. Such person, owner or lessee must first apply for a permit for either temporary or permanent storage and pay a fee to the Borough such as may be provided from time to time by resolution of the Borough Council. The motor vehicle nuisance(s) must be stored within a garage or other enclosed building. In addition, all gas and oil or other flammable liquid shall be removed from the motor vehicle, and it shall be kept free of vermin infestation while being stored.
A.
The Borough Health Officer and/or Police Department is hereby empowered
to inspect grounds on which motor vehicles are stored to determine
if there is compliance with the provisions of this chapter. If noncompliance
with the provisions of this chapter constitutes a nuisance, or if
any condition, structure or improvement poses a threat to the health,
safety or welfare of the public, he shall issue a written notice to
be served by registered or certified mail upon the owner of said premises
or, if the owner's whereabouts or identity be unknown, by posting
the notice conspicuously upon the offending premises.
B.
Said notice shall specify the condition or structure or improvement
complained of and shall require the owner to commence to remove or
otherwise rectify the condition or structure or improvement as set
forth therein within 10 days of mailing or posting of said notice,
and thereafter, to fully comply with the requirements of the notice
within a reasonable time.
If the owner of grounds on which motor vehicles are stored does
not comply with the notice to abate the conditions within the time
limit prescribed, the Borough shall have the authority to take measures
to correct the conditions and collect the cost of such corrections
plus 10% of all costs. The Borough, in such event and pursuant to
its statutory or otherwise authorized police powers, shall have the
right and power to enter upon the offending premises to accomplish
the foregoing.
A.
Any person aggrieved by the decision of the Borough Health Officer
and/or Police Officer may request and shall then be granted a hearing
before the Borough Council, provided he files with the Borough Council
within 10 days after notice of the decision of the Borough Health
Officer and/or Police Officer a written petition requesting such hearing
and setting forth a brief statement of the grounds therefor. The hearing
shall commence not later than 30 days after the date on which the
petition was filed unless postponed for sufficient cause.
B.
After such hearing, the Borough Council shall sustain, modify or
overrule the action of the Borough Health Officer and/or Police Officer.
Any person who shall violate any provision of this chapter shall,
upon conviction thereof, be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than
$300 and/or to undergo imprisonment for a term not to exceed 90 days.
Each day that a violation of this chapter continues shall constitute
a separate offense.
The remedies provided herein for the enforcement of this chapter
or any remedy provided by law shall not be deemed mutually exclusive;
rather they may be employed simultaneously or consecutively, at the
option of the Borough Council.