This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Palmer
Township Dumpster and Portable Storage Container/Devices Ordinance."
The primary purpose of public streets is for use by vehicular
and pedestrian traffic. Reasonable regulations of obstructions in
public streets and sidewalks is necessary to protect the health, safety
and welfare of the general public.
The following words, terms and phrases when used in this chapter
shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where
the context or language clearly indicates or requires a different
meaning:
DUMPSTER
A metal storage receptacle used to temporarily store debris
or garbage which is then emptied of its contents or removed with its
contents by a truck specifically equipped for this purpose.
PERSON
Any natural person, partnership, firm, association, utility
or corporation.
PORTABLE STORAGE CONTAINER
Any on-site storage container described as a steel portable
container, dry van container, warehouse storage unit, semi-tractor
cargo container, cargo trailer, shipping container or any other similarly
described unit, and/or any portable structure, not self-propelled,
designed to store personal belongings, whether constructed of flexible
or inflexible material, including, but not limited to, containers
commonly known as "portable storage devices" or "PODS®."
STREET
The entire right-of-way of a public street, highway or road
within the geographical limits of the Township, but shall not include
any state-designated highway over which the Department of Transportation
of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has jurisdiction.
TOWNSHIP
Palmer Township, Northampton County, Pennsylvania.
UNIT
A dumpster or portable storage device.
No person shall place or cause to be placed any unit, dumpster
or other type of trash receptacle or portable storage container in
the right-of-way area of a Township street or on property owned by
the Township, except upon having obtained a unit, dumpster or portable
storage container permit to be issued by the Palmer Township Police
Department. It shall be the responsibility of the property owner benefiting
from the use of the unit, dumpster or portable storage container to
obtain a permit and to publicly display a copy of the permit before
placement of any unit, dumpster or portable storage container. Unit,
dumpster or portable storage container permits must be obtained no
less than five days before delivery of the unit, dumpster or portable
storage container.
A permit application must be submitted to the Township Police
Department on an application form provided by the Township Police
Department for this purpose. All applications for a unit, dumpster
or portable storage container shall be accompanied by a sketch showing
the size of the unit, dumpster or portable storage container, and
the placement of the unit, dumpster or portable storage container
upon the street and the proposed location.
The fee to be paid to the Township for permits shall be set
forth by the Board of Supervisors by resolution and will be reviewed
and revised annually or as needed.
Any permit issued by the Township Police Department as provided
herein may be immediately revoked by the Township Police Department
upon mailing of notice of revocation to the permit holder at the address
stated in the permit application for any of the following reasons:
A. Failure to comply with any provision of this chapter or any requirement
as set forth in the permit or permit application.
B. The presence of any vehicular, pedestrian, fire, health or safety
hazard or potential hazard arising after issuance of a permit.
C. The emission of any foul or noxious odor from material contained
in the unit, dumpster or portable storage container, regardless of
whether the unit, dumpster or portable storage container is filled
to capacity or not.
In addition to or in lieu of the penalties provided in §
181-9 hereof, any violations of the provisions of this ordinance may be abated or enforced by proceedings seeking equitable relief against the violator.