[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of Etna 3-16-2004 by Ord. No. 1300. Amendments noted where applicable.]
This chapter shall be known as the Borough of Etna's "Abandoned and Junked Vehicle Ordinance."
All ordinances or parts of ordinances are repealed insofar as they conflict with the provisions of this chapter; however, such repeal shall not affect any act done or any liability or violation accrued under any such prior ordinance herein repealed or superseded, and all such liabilities or violations shall continue and may be enforced in the same manner as if such repeal or supersession had not been made; and any offense or violation committed and any penalty or forfeiture incurred under any such ordinance herein repealed or superseded may be prosecuted in the same manner as if this chapter had not been approved.
In the construction of this chapter, the rules and definitions contained in this section shall be observed and applied, except when the context clearly indicates otherwise:
A. 
Words used in the singular shall include the plural, and the plural the singular.
B. 
Words used in the past or present tense shall include the future tense.
C. 
Words used in the masculine gender shall include the feminine and neuter.
D. 
The word "shall" is always mandatory and is not discretionary.
E. 
The word "may" is permissive.
F. 
The Borough intends to favor the public interest as against any private interest.
G. 
The headings prefixed to sections and other divisions of this chapter shall not be considered to control but may be used to aid in the construction thereof.
H. 
General words shall be construed to take their meaning and be restricted by preceding particular words.
For the purpose of this chapter, the following terms, phrases, words and their derivations shall have the meanings given herein:
ABANDONED OR JUNKED VEHICLE
Any motor vehicle or parts thereof, as defined in the Vehicle Code of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,[1] which is inoperable as defined herein, and which is stored or kept outside of a fully enclosed vehicle.
BOROUGH
The Borough of Etna.
DISMANTLED OR PARTIALLY DISMANTLED VEHICLE
Any motor vehicle or part thereof, as defined in the Vehicle Code of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, which has been rendered inoperable because a part or parts has or have been removed therefrom.
INOPERABLE
As applied to motor vehicles under this chapter:
A. 
A motor vehicle that does not have a current registration plate and a current inspection sticker; or
B. 
A motor vehicle that does not have the required number of wheels or tires, does not have one or more of its doors or windows, does not have an engine or does not have a battery or lacks any part which is necessary to self-propel it.
MOTOR VEHICLE
A vehicle which is self-propelled, except one which is propelled solely by human power or by electric power obtained from overhead trolley wires, but not operated upon rails.
OR PARTS THEREOF
When used in a clause with "abandoned or junked vehicles" or "dismantled or partially dismantled vehicles," the term shall mean a component of a vehicle, including, but not limited to, bumpers, doors, fenders, tires, windows or windshields, motors, transmissions, axles or suspension frames, chassis, or any other component of a vehicle which is either wrecked, discarded, dismantled, partially dismantled or inoperative as well as including pieces or portions thereof.
PERSON
Includes both natural and artificial persons, associations, partnerships, firms or corporations. When used in the clause imposing a fine or imprisonment, the term "person," as applied to a partnership or association, shall mean any member thereof and, as applied to a corporation, shall mean the president, vice president, secretary, treasurer or other high-managerial agent thereof. The terms shall also include all owners of the property on which a violation occurs, including co-owners, a husband and wife, as well as joint owners. Both an owner and a tenant are jointly responsible for compliance with the terms of this chapter if the owner knowingly allows the premises to be used for a prohibited purpose.
PUBLIC PROPERTY
Real property which is owned by a municipal or governmental entity, though not necessarily a place devoted solely to the uses of the public, but shall include any public street, private street, highway, road, alley, bridge, park, playground, vacant lot, stream, creek, public building or similar place within the Borough of Etna which is open to the public or to which the public or a substantial group has access.
SALVOR
A person engaged in the business of acquiring abandoned vehicles for the purpose of taking apart, recycling, selling, rebuilding or exchanging the vehicle or parts thereof.
SCREENED
When used within this chapter, the use of any natural objects, plantings, embankments, fencing, walls or structures, or a combination of any of these, which will effectively hide any junked or abandoned vehicle, dismantled or partially dismantled vehicle, or parts thereof, so as not to be visible from the highway or abutting properties at all times of the year or by an occupant of a motor vehicle from a height of 4 1/2 feet above the pavement.
VALUELESS EXCEPT FOR SALVAGE
A vehicle which is inoperable or unable to meet the vehicle equipment and inspection standards under Section IV (relating to vehicle characteristics) of the Vehicle Code of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, 75 Pa.C.S.A. § 4101 et seq., to the extent that the cost of repairs would exceed the value of the required vehicle. The term does not include a vehicle which would qualify as an antique or classic vehicle under The Vehicle Code[2] except for its lack of restoration or maintenance. A vehicle which is inoperable or unable to meet the vehicle equipment and inspection standards of Section IV (relating to vehicle characteristics) to the extent that the cost of repairs would exceed the value of the vehicle shall be presumed to be valueless except for salvage but the presumption is rebuttable by a preponderance of the evidence.
VEHICLE
Every device in, upon or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a highway, except devices used exclusively upon rails or tracks. The term does not include a self-propelled wheelchair or an electrical mobility device operated by and designed for the exclusive use of a person with a mobility-related disability.
VEHICLE SALVAGE YARD
Any land or structure which a salvor uses for a salvaging operation of two or more unlicensed, inoperative vehicles. Salvaging includes the storage and sale of vehicular parts or vehicles.
VEHICULAR FLUIDS
A substance or liquid used frequently in motor vehicles such as gas, oil or antifreeze.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 75 Pa.C.S.A. § 101 et seq.
[2]
Editor's Note: See 75 Pa.C.S.A. § 101 et seq.
A. 
A vehicle shall be presumed to be abandoned under any of the following circumstances, but the presumption is rebuttable by a preponderance of the evidence:
(1) 
The vehicle is physically inoperable and is left unattended on a highway or other public property for more than 48 hours.
(2) 
The vehicle has remained illegally on a highway or other public property for a period of more than 48 hours.
(3) 
The vehicle is left unattended on a along a highway or other public property for more than 48 hours and does not bear all of the following:
(a) 
A valid registration plate.
(b) 
A certificate of inspection.
(c) 
An ascertainable vehicle identification number.
(4) 
The vehicle has remained on private property without the consent of the owner or person in control of the property for more than 48 hours.
B. 
Vehicles and equipment used or to be used in construction or in the operation or maintenance of highways or public utility facilities which are left in a manner which do not interfere with the normal movement of traffic shall not be considered to be abandoned.
It shall be unlawful for any person, owner or lessee to store, maintain, accumulate or keep any abandoned or junked vehicle, dismantled or partially dismantled vehicle, or a vehicle valueless except for salvage, or parts thereof, in violation of this chapter, and the same is hereby declared to be a nuisance and is prohibited.
A. 
Residential districts.
(1) 
No person shall keep, maintain or store, and no person in charge of or in control of any premises or private property, whether as owner, lessee, tenant, occupant or otherwise, shall allow any abandoned or junked vehicle, dismantled vehicle, or wrecked, junked, discarded or otherwise inoperable motor vehicle, or a vehicle valueless except for salvage, or parts thereof, to remain outside an enclosed structure on public or private property in any residential district longer than 10 days.
(2) 
No person shall keep, maintain or store any motor vehicle which is leaking any vehicular fluids outside an enclosed structure in any residential district.
B. 
Central Commercial, Neighborhood Commercial, Limited Commercial and Industrial Districts.
(1) 
No person shall keep, maintain or store, and no person in charge of or in control of any premises or private property, whether as owner, lessee, tenant, occupant or otherwise, shall allow, any abandoned or junked vehicle, dismantled or partially dismantled vehicle, or wrecked, junked, discarded or otherwise inoperable motor vehicle, or a vehicle valueless except for salvage, or parts thereof, to remain on public or private property in a Central Commercial, Neighborhood Commercial, Limited Commercial or Industrial District longer than 10 days, unless screened so as not to be visible from the highway or abutting properties at all times of the year.
(2) 
No person shall keep, maintain or store any motor vehicle which is leaking any vehicle fluids outside an enclosed structure in any Central Commercial, Neighborhood Commercial, Limited Commercial or Industrial District.
An abandoned or junked vehicle, dismantled or partially dismantled vehicle, or wrecked, junked, discarded or otherwise inoperable motor vehicle, or a vehicle valueless except for salvage, or parts thereof, held or stored upon the property of a salvor in a vehicle salvage yard or by a person engaged in the business of servicing, repairing, storing or disposing of such motor vehicles, in conformity with the zoning laws[1] of the Borough of Etna, shall not be a violation of this chapter if, and only if:
A. 
Such business is in full compliance with the Act of June 17, 1976, P.L. 162, No. 81, § 1,\ et seq., as amended, 75 Pa.C.S.A. § 7301 (relating to salvors), as well as Chapter 253 of the Pennsylvania Code, 67 Pa. Code § 253.1 et seq., which establishes rules governing the qualifications and duties of salvors.
B. 
Each year upon renewal, such business shall provide the Borough Building Inspector with a valid copy of its license or certificate of authorization from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
C. 
The certificate of authorization is displayed in its place of business.
D. 
All such vehicles or parts thereof in the salvage yard are screened so as not to be visible from the highway or abutting properties at all times of the year.
E. 
All such vehicles or parts thereof are not leaking vehicular fluids.
F. 
The salvage yard is located in an I-1 Industrial District.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 615, Zoning, of the Code.
After a warning is issued or a citation filed, it shall be unlawful for any person to relocate an abandoned or junked vehicle, dismantled or partially dismantled vehicle, or a vehicle valueless except for salvage, or parts thereof, to another location in the Borough of Etna unless in full compliance with this chapter.
The Borough Manager, or his or her designee, and Borough of Etna police officers are hereby authorized and directed to give notice, by personal service or United States Mail, to the owner or occupant, as the case may be, of any premises or location where violations of this chapter exist, directing and requiring such owner or occupant to remove or eliminate such violation within 10 days after the issuance of the notice. If any person shall neglect, fail or refuse to comply with such notice within the period stated therein, such person shall be subject to the penalties provided in this chapter for the violations hereof, and in addition, the proper officers of the Borough may remove such violation of this chapter; and the costs thereof, together with any additional payment authorized by law, may be collected by the Borough from such person in the manner provided by law, and upon the neglect, failure or refusal to pay the costs of removal, the proper officers of the Borough may cause a lien to be filed against the property.
Covering or draping a tarpaulin, car cover or other covering over an abandoned or junked vehicle, a dismantled or partially dismantled vehicle, or a vehicle valueless except for salvage or parts thereof, is not an abatement of a violation of this chapter and does not constitute compliance with § 569-7, Storage of inoperable motor vehicles, of this chapter.
Any person who shall violate any section of this chapter or knowingly permit his or her property to be used in violation of any provision of this chapter shall, upon conviction thereof, be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than $1,000 and costs of prosecution per day for each and every offense and, in default of payment of any fines or costs imposed, may be sentenced to a period of incarceration not exceeding 10 days in the Allegheny County Jail. Whenever such person shall have been notified that he or she is committing such a violation of this chapter, each day that he or she shall continue such violation after such notification shall constitute a separate offense punishable by a like fine or penalty.
If the Borough shall deem it necessary to abate a nuisance or nuisances under this chapter, nothing herein shall prevent the Borough of Etna from instituting proceedings and seeking relief in the courts of equity to abate said nuisance or nuisances.