[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township of Towamencin 8-24-2016 by Ord. No. 16-13.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.
GENERAL REFERENCES
Garbage and other solid waste — See Ch. 84.
Littering — See Ch. 93.
Nuisances — See Ch. 104.
Property maintenance — See Ch. 117.
Streets, curbs and sidewalks — See Ch. 133.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance was originally adopted as Ch. 116 but was renumbered to maintain the alphabetical organization of chapters in the Code.
No property owner shall place or allow any person to place any collection bins within the Township without first having obtained a permit as herein provided.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
CLOTHING/MATERIALS COLLECTION BIN (BIN)
Any enclosed receptacle or container made of metal, steel or a similar product and designed or intended for the donation and the temporary storage of clothing or other materials. Collection bins shall serve registered nonprofit organization only. Collection bins shall not be placed to profit any business or property owner.
A. 
An application for a permit for used clothing and materials collection bins shall be required. Said application shall be upon a form provided by the Towamencin Township Code Enforcement Office and shall contain at least the following information verified by oath or affirmation:
(1) 
The full name of the applicant, local address and telephone number, if any.
(2) 
Permanent address and telephone number.
(3) 
The address at which the applicant will receive notice under this chapter.
(4) 
The name of the organization for which the collections are made.
(5) 
The nature of the purpose of the donations and method for distribution of the items collected.
(6) 
Dates and locations within the Township where the collection bins are to be located.
(7) 
Method and schedule of collections and emptying of bins, including name, address and telephone number of the person or company responsible for collections.
(8) 
Affirmation that the bin(s) are for use by a duly registered nonprofit organization.
(9) 
The proper types of bin(s) are being used as described by this section.
(10) 
The bin(s) are being placed in a proper location as described by this section.
(11) 
Name, address and phone number of the nonprofit organization displayed on each bin.
B. 
Attached to the application shall be a signed statement by the property owner involved granting permission for the placement of the collection bins, specifying the number of bins permitted and indicating by way of a sketch drawing the permitted location.
C. 
Permits will be issued for a period of one year.
No permit shall be issued under this chapter until a fee is paid to the Township for transmittal to the Township Treasurer for the general use of the Township. The fee shall be set by resolution of the Board of Supervisors from time to time.
A. 
The placement of collection bins shall be permitted as accessory to the following uses as defined by the Towamencin Township Zoning Code: E-9 Place of Worship, E-12 School, and C18 Shopping Center.
B. 
Donation bins are prohibited within the Village Overlay District.
C. 
Premises may have no more than one collection bin per property.
D. 
The bin(s) shall be appropriately located so as not to interfere with sight triangles, on-site circulation, required setbacks, landscaping, parking, and any other requirements that may have been imposed as part of the site plan approval for the premises and shall be placed on a concrete surface. No bin shall be placed within a required setback.
E. 
The bin(s) shall be of the type that are enclosed by use of a receiving door and locked so that the contents of the bin(s) may not be accessed by anyone other than those responsible for the retrieval of the contents.
F. 
Each bin shall not cover a ground surface area in excess of five feet by five feet nor be more than six feet in height.
G. 
Each bin must be regularly emptied of its contents so that it does not overflow, resulting in used clothing and other items being strewn about the surrounding area.
H. 
If items, trash, or debris accumulates outside of the bin or if the bin becomes deteriorated due to lack of proper maintenance, the bin shall be considered junk and debris and the applicant will be subject to suspension or revocation of the permit. No permit for a donation bin shall be issued or renewed to any applicant with any pending complaint or a suspended permit or to any applicant whose permit for a donation bin has been revoked.
I. 
All bins shall have the name and telephone number of both the permittee and the person or company responsible for emptying the bins printed or posted on the bins.
J. 
There shall be no advertising of any kind on the bin except for the identity of the charitable organization and the purpose of the donation effort.
K. 
No bin shall be located on property that does not currently have a permanent business in operation on the same property.
Any permit issued for the purpose of placing collection bins may be denied, suspended or revoked at any time upon proof that:
A. 
The application for the permit contains false information;
B. 
The permittee has been convicted of a crime of fraud or a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude;
C. 
The permittee has failed to comply with any rules of conduct prescribed in this chapter; or
D. 
Clothing or other articles or objects are left outside of the bins.
A. 
Any person found violating any provision of this chapter shall be subject to a fine, upon conviction in a summary proceeding, of not more than $600 and, in default of payment of said fine, shall be imprisoned in the county prison for a period not exceeding 30 days.
B. 
In addition to any other legal remedies available to the Township in the event that collection bins are located within the Township without a permit or are left in place after a permit has been denied, suspended or revoked, the Township may confiscate the collection bins and cause it or them to be removed to a place of storage. All costs of removal and storage shall be the responsibility of the permittee or the person or entity owning or leasing the collection bins or the person or entity at whose direction the bins were placed within the Township.