The purpose of this chapter is to ensure the protection of the health, safety, peace and welfare of the residents of the Town of Voluntown.
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Meeting of the Town of Voluntown 1-4-1962. Amendments noted where applicable.]
No automobile, automobile trailer, truck, truck trailer, trolley car, railroad car, bus, trailer coach, mobile home or other vehicle, with or without wheels, designed, altered or used for human occupancy as a home or camp, all of which terms shall hereinafter be designated by the word "vehicle," shall be parked and occupied for residence purposes off the public highways in the Town for a period exceeding five days without an occupancy permit issued by the Board of Selectmen.
[Added 5-28-1970]
Application for the occupancy permit required under the terms of this chapter shall be made on forms provided by the Board of Selectmen and shall be made jointly by the owners or owner of the land on which the vehicle is parked, and the owner of the vehicle and the occupant of the vehicle.
No such permit shall be issued by the Board of Selectmen until written approval of the Town Health Officer certifying compliance with state sanitary regulations, and that the presence of such vehicle will not imperil the public health, has been filed with the Board of Selectmen in respect to the proposed site to be occupied by such vehicle and in respect to the sanitary facilities of such vehicle.
No such occupancy permit shall be issued for an initial period exceeding 30 days, and such permit shall be renewable for a period not exceeding an additional 30 days. The permit shall state the location of the vehicle and the maximum number of persons occupying such vehicle and the size and make of vehicle. No permit shall be issued until nine months have elapsed since the expiration of a previous permit.
No such vehicle shall be parked and occupied within 50 feet of a public highway unless concealed from view from such highway.
[Amended 9-14-2021]
Any person who violates the provisions of this chapter shall be fined as determined by the Board of Selectmen, not to exceed the statutory maximum. Each day when such vehicle is parked in violation of this chapter shall constitute a separate offense.
The Board of Selectmen shall be authorized to revoke or suspend an occupancy permit wherever the health, safety, peace, welfare or aesthetics of the Town is in jeopardy, or wherever the permittee has violated any provision of this chapter.
[Amended 9-14-2021]
The fee for occupancy permits and renewals shall be set from time to time by the Board of Selectmen, to be paid to the Board of Selectmen, who shall pay over such permit fee to the Town Treasurer.
All vehicles used for human occupancy as a home or camp, parked and occupied for residence purposes in the Town of Voluntown prior to adoption of this chapter, shall be registered with the Board of Selectmen within 15 days after the effective date of this chapter.