[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of Catawissa 5-10-1982 by Ord. No. 263; amended in its entirety 6-9-1983 by Ord. No. 268 (Ch. 10, Part 3, of the 1983 Code of Ordinances). Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Mobile homes and trailers — See Ch. 211.
Property maintenance — See Ch. 240.
Vehicles and traffic — See Ch. 316.
A. 
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated, unless a different meaning clearly appears from the context:
LESSEE
Owner, for the purpose of this chapter, when the lessor holds the lessee responsible for maintenance and repairs.
MOTOR VEHICLE
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.
NUISANCE
Any condition, structure, or improvement which shall constitute a threat to the health, safety, or welfare of the citizens of the Borough of Catawissa.
OWNER
The actual owner, agent or custodian of the property on which motor vehicles are stored, whether individual or partnership, association, or corporation.
PERSON
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.
Except for licensed motor vehicles with valid Pennsylvania inspection stickers, used motor vehicles, junked or otherwise, shall be stored on private premises in compliance with the provisions of this chapter.
Any person desiring to store or to continue to store motor vehicle(s) on private grounds, except those mentioned in § 326-2, shall comply with the following:
A. 
All gas and oil shall be drained from the vehicle.
B. 
All glass shall be removed from any broken windshield, window or mirror.
C. 
All upholstery shall be removed.
D. 
All wheels shall be removed so that the vehicle is rendered incapable of movement.
E. 
All trunk lids shall be removed or shall have their locks removed.
F. 
All such stored motor vehicles shall be at least 25 feet from any building so as not to obstruct any firefighting equipment or emergency vehicles.
G. 
All such stored motor vehicles shall be at least 25 feet from any river or stream or any other natural watercourse.
H. 
All such stored motor vehicles shall at all times be kept free of vermin infestation.
A. 
The Joint Code Enforcement Officer 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 of Catawissa 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 Code Enforcement 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 Code Enforcement Officer's decision 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 Code Enforcement Officer.
Any person who shall violate any provision of this chapter shall, upon conviction thereof, be sentenced to pay a fine 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.