[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of
Bridgeport 9-23-2014 by Ord. No.
2014-004, approved 9-23-2014. Amendments noted where applicable.]
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
Portable storage devices, dumpsters, trailers, PODS®,
shipping containers, or any other similar containers (hereinafter
referred to as "PSUs") that are loaded with materials and placed on
a property for purposes of storage, including but not limited to household
goods and building materials (prior to being used for building purposes),
and for any other storage. Such units shall not be considered an accessory
structure as provided under the Code of the Borough of Bridgeport.
A.
A PSU may be placed on a driveway of a residential property in Bridgeport
for up to three days without a permit. Prior to the placement of any
PSU on any residential property in Bridgeport Borough for more than
three days, the owner of such property must apply for and obtain a
permit for the placement of such PSU from the Borough of Bridgeport
Code Enforcement Office.
B.
All applications for permits under this section must be accompanied
by an insurance certificate providing liability insurance in an amount
not less than $100,000 in general liability coverage from the owner
of the property or the company supplying the PSU.
C.
The Borough shall collect an application fee for any permit issued
hereunder, in an amount to be fixed by resolution of the Council,
for a thirty-day permit, subject to adjustment, from time to time,
by resolution of the Council as provided hereunder.
D.
Permits issued under this section, and any renewal of permits issued
hereunder, must be signed by the Code Enforcement Officer and prominently
displayed on the PSU for which the permit is issued, in a sealed and
watertight manner, so as to protect the permit from denigration by
the weather, rain or other elements.
A.
Initial permits may be granted for a period of 30 days by the Code Enforcement Office upon proper submission of the required application and supporting documentation as provided under § 401-2.
B.
After the expiration of the thirty-day period for the initial permit,
an applicant may submit a renewal application for an additional 30
days, which same application shall not be unreasonably refused by
the Code Enforcement Office. All such applications for extension of
a permit must be accompanied by an extension fee in an amount to be
fixed by resolution of the Council, which same fee may be adjusted,
from time to time, by further resolution of the Council.
C.
No more than one extension may be granted for any permit issued under § 401-2, unless the property owner can produce a valid building permit for residential construction, issued by the Borough of Bridgeport Code Enforcement Office, in which case permits issued hereunder may be renewed every 30 days for a period not to exceed expiration of the building permit.
A.
No parcel under this section may be issued more than two permits
for the placement of a PSU during any twelve-month period. Such limitations
shall include applications for extension. The total number of days
upon which any PSU may be located on any property within the Borough
shall not exceed 60 days unless otherwise provided under the regulations
regarding extended hardship.
B.
No parcel under this section may place a PSU on its driveway without
a permit more than twice during any twelve-month period.
A.
Upon a finding by the Borough Council that a parcel of property has
experienced a flood, fire, natural disaster or other act of God, so
as to render the primary residential dwelling thereon uninhabitable,
and to require, in the judgment of the Borough Council, the placement
of a PSU on the property for a period longer than that provided under
this section. The Borough Council may issue an extended hardship permit
under this section for the placement of a PSU for such period of time
as fixed by the Borough Council and not otherwise subject to the limitations
provided under this section. All such extended hardship permits must
be duly registered with the Borough Council and shall be issued without
application fee.
All PSUs must be kept in the driveway of the property at the
furthest accessible point from the street. All locations must be paved
off-street surfaces, and the applicant must obtain preapproval of
the Code Enforcement Officer for placement of a PSU. In the event
a parcel is devoid of a driveway or other paved surface, placement
of the PSU shall be at the direction of the Code Enforcement Official.
Only one PSU may be placed on any one residential property at
one time. The Code Enforcement Officer is authorized to permit the
placement of more than one PSU under the terms of in the event that
the circumstances giving rise to the hardship permit warrant the placement
of additional home PSUs in order to accommodate the storage of interior
furnishings, goods and materials from a residence substantially damaged
by flood, fire, act of God or other natural disaster.
A.
Any person who shall place a PSU in violation of this chapter shall,
upon conviction before a Magisterial District Judge, be sentenced
to pay a fine not exceeding $300 together with the cost of prosecution.
Each day in which a violation shall continue after due notice to the
property owner shall be deemed a separate offense, punishable by the
terms and conditions provided under this section.
B.
The Code Enforcement Officer of the Borough of Bridgeport is duly
empowered to enforce the terms, conditions and provisions of this
chapter.
