[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors (now Board of Commissioners) of the Township of Pocono 6-6-1982 by Ord. No. 39 as Ch. 5, Sub. A, Sections 5.1 through 5.3, of the 1982 Code. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Amended 8-3-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-05; 4-21-2025 by Ord. No. 2025-11]
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ABANDONED VEHICLE
An "abandoned vehicle" is defined in the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code, 75 Pa. C.S.A. § 102, effective July 1, 1977, and may from time to time be amended.
JUNK VEHICLE
An automobile, truck, trailer, motorcycle, bus, motor home, motorized camper, motor scooter, snowmobile, watercraft, aircraft, or other motor vehicle that does not display a current license plate or valid inspection sticker, or is otherwise partially dismantled, wrecked, or has major parts missing, such as wheels, windshields, doors or motors, or is in an inoperable condition.
JUNKYARD
An area visible from public streets, roads or adjoining properties that are not totally enclosed and which contains two or more junk vehicles or is being used for the storage or discarding of garbage or other organic waste material, paper, rubbish, rags, refuse, scrap metal, machinery, furniture, stoves, containers, refrigerators, hot water heaters, plastic or metal pails and drums, construction equipment which is no longer serviceable, container boxes, or other waste materials of an offensive nature or unsightly nature.
PRIVATE NUISANCE
A private nuisance is an unreasonable, unwarranted, or unlawful use of property - whether public or private - that interferes with an individual's or a limited number of individuals' rights to the quiet, safe, and comfortable enjoyment of their own property. It involves any conduct, condition, or omission that substantially impairs another's reasonable use and enjoyment of their property, causing material annoyance, inconvenience, or harm. Examples may include excessive noise, vibrations, odors, or similar disturbances that affect one or a few property owners or occupants, rather than the community at large.
PUBLIC NUISANCE
A public nuisance is an act, condition, or omission that unreasonably and significantly interferes with rights commonly held by the general public - such as those related to public health, safety, peace, comfort, or convenience. Such public nuisances affect an indefinite number of people or the community as a whole and may include activities or conditions that create widespread annoyance, discomfort, alarm, or risk. Public nuisances disrupt public order, diminish the collective quality of life, and may violate statutes, ordinances, or regulations designed to protect the community at large.
[Amended 8-3-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-05; 4-21-2025 by Ord. No. 2025-11]
A. 
It shall be deemed unlawful for any person, owner, lessee, tenant, occupant or person otherwise in charge of or in control of premises within Pocono Township to have or keep junk vehicles or create a junkyard on property within Pocono Township if such condition constitutes a private nuisance or public nuisance in fact.
B. 
The leaving, discarding or storing of abandoned vehicles, junk or waste material of a type described in § 235-1, definition of "junkyard," of this chapter, on or along any public road or public lands is prohibited.
C. 
A vehicular junkyard or graveyard that existed in Pocono Township prior to January 1, 1972, the date of enactment of the Pocono Township Zoning Ordinance, may continue to exist and operate with a certificate of nonconformance issued by the Zoning Officer of Pocono Township if such facility continues to operate in conformance of the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and does not constitute a health hazard or otherwise affect the safety and general welfare of the public. This exception shall not apply to a nonconforming use which has been abandoned as provided in the Zoning Ordinance.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 470, Zoning.
D. 
The provisions of this chapter do not apply to new and used car dealers who park new or used motor vehicles for sales display on private land zoned for this purpose. Excluded also are those vehicles classified as an "antique motor vehicle" by the Vehicle Code of Pennsylvania, said classification consisting of any self-propelled vehicle, but not a reproduction thereof, manufactured more than 25 years prior to the current year, which has been maintained in or restored to a condition which is substantially in conformance with manufacturer specifications.
E. 
It shall be a defense to prosecution under this chapter that a wrecked vehicle stored on private property is waiting for insurance adjustment and repair.
F. 
Upon notification issued by the Township Code Enforcement Officer to any individual, partnership, association or corporation, or any other entity who is in violation of the requirements of this chapter, the person or entity shall have 30 days to repair, sell, or otherwise remove the specified waste materials or junk vehicles.
G. 
With respect to abandoned vehicles, the Police Department shall proceed in accordance with the provisions of the Vehicle Code, 75 Pa. C.S.A. § 7301, by giving written request to a salvor to remove the vehicle.
[Amended 8-3-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-05]
Any violation of this chapter which has not been corrected within the time frame set forth in the notice of violation shall be enforced by action brought before a Magisterial District Judge in the same manner provided for the enforcement of summary offenses under the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure. Any person, partnership, corporation or other entity who or which violates or permits a violation of the provisions of this chapter shall, upon conviction in a summary proceeding, pay a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500 per violation, plus all court costs and reasonable attorney's fees incurred by the Township in the enforcement proceedings, and/or be imprisoned to the extent allowed by law for the punishment of summary offenses. Each day or portion thereof that a violation exists or continues shall constitute a separate violation. Further, the appropriate officers or agents of the Township are hereby authorized to seek equitable relief, including injunction, to enforce compliance with this chapter. All fines, penalties, costs and reasonable attorneys' fees collected for the violation of this chapter shall be paid to the Township for its general use.
[Added 8-3-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-05]
This chapter shall be enforced the Township Code Enforcement Officer or such other officials as may be designated by the Board of Commissioners from time to time.