Council finds that, although:
A. The Vehicle Code contains adequate provisions on the subject of "abandoned
vehicles," defined as "a vehicle (other than a pedalcycle): (i) that
is inoperable and is left unattended on public property for more than
48 hours; (ii) that has remained illegally on public property for
a period of more than 48 hours; (iii) without a valid registration
plate or certificate of inspection or title left unattended on or
along a highway; or (iv) that has remained on private property without
the consent of the owner or person in control of the property for
more than 48 hours;" and
B. Sections 5-2001 through 5-2004 of this Code of Ordinances deal adequately with vehicles
that are abandoned, discarded or junked on private property; there
is need for additional provisions on certain motor vehicles stored
out of doors on private property temporarily or for repair. This article
is intended to meet that need for additional provisions to cover those
situations mentioned in these findings that are not covered by the
Vehicle Code or Sections 5-2001 through 5-2004.
Whenever any motor vehicle, as referred to in §
648-2, is stored or parked out of doors on private land, the owner or occupant of the land (unless that storage or parking constitutes a trespass of which the owner or occupant has no knowledge), or the owner, custodian or driver of the vehicle shall promptly, but not later than 72 hours after the parking or storage is discovered or occurs, notify the Police Department or any other duly authorized and constituted representative of the Borough of that storage and parking, giving the name and address of the owner or occupant of the land and, if known, the name of the owner, or custodian of the vehicle or driver, the license number, if any, the reason for the storage or parking, the location of the vehicle, the time when it was stored or parked, and the provision made or to be made for its removal. The vehicle shall not remain stored or parked out of doors after the expiration of 30 days from the time it was so stored or parked, provided the storage or parking is not for the purpose of the bona fide repair of the vehicle.
Where the storage or parking of a motor vehicle, as referred to in §
648-2, is for the purpose of bona fide repair of the motor vehicle and the owner or occupant of the land and the owner or occupant of the land or the owner, custodian or driver of the motor vehicle, is not engaged in the business of automotive repair, but intends to make such repair, the owner or occupant of the land or the owner, custodian or driver of the motor vehicle, as the case may be, shall apply to the Police Department, or any other duly authorized and constituted representative of the Borough, for a permit for the outside storage or parking of the motor vehicles during the course of its repair, the permit to be good for a period of 60 days from the date of storage or parking.
Where the owner or occupant of the property is engaged in the business of automotive repair and a motor vehicle has been placed in the custody of the owner of the property for storage, parking and/or repair, the owner or occupant of the property shall apply to the Police Department or any other duly authorized and constituted representative of the Borough for a permit for the outside storage or parking of the vehicle while waiting or during the course of its repair, that permit to be valid for a period of 60 days from the date of the storage or parking; provided the owner or occupant presents proof to the Police Department or any other duly authorized and constituted representative of the Borough, that there is a bona fide contract or agreement between himself and the owner or custodian of the vehicle for the repair of that vehicle. Otherwise, the vehicle shall not remain stored or parked out-of-doors after the expiration of 30 days from the date of the storage or parking thereof as provided in §
648-3.
Any person who violates or fails to conform with any provision of this article or who knowingly aids, abets or assists in any such violation or failure to conform shall be guilty of an offense and, upon conviction thereof, shall be subject to the penalty prescribed by §
1-2.