As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
Any dumpster, portable receptacle, container, pod or similar object used for holding goods for temporary storage or movement elsewhere.
[Adopted 7-19-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-8]
No bulk storage container shall be placed or maintained by any private party in or on any Township property, street or right-of-way without receipt of a permit issued by the Township Zoning Officer.
No bulk storage container shall be placed or maintained on any private property unless it complies with one or more of the following provisions:
A.
Such containers may be placed or maintained on a driveway or other suitably paved area for purposes of packing or unpacking goods and materials of the owner or occupant of the property in preparation for or subsequent to moving into or out of the property for a period of not more than 21 consecutive days.
B.
Such containers may be placed or maintained on a driveway or other suitably paved area for purposes of storing the goods and materials of the owner or occupant of the property when necessary during renovation or rehabilitation of the structure located on the premises in which the goods or materials would otherwise be located during the period of renovation or rehabilitation and up to 14 days prior to commencement and 14 days subsequent to completion of the work but in no event more than a total of two months.
C.
No storage container may be used as a living space, either temporary or permanent.
Prior to the placement of any bulk storage container in or on any Township property, street, or right of way, or on any private property (not covered by a duly approved site plan) the owner of the property using the container or person contracting for the use of such container shall apply for and receive a permit from the Township pursuant to the provisions and standards set forth herein.
A.
Application for the permit shall be made to the office of the Township Zoning Officer on a form provided by the Township. The application shall require, among other things, the full name, address, and other contact information for both the owner of the bulk storage container, the person contracting for the use of the container where such person is other than the owner of the property for which the container is to be used, and the owner of the property with which the use of the bulk storage container is associated. The application shall be accompanied by a permit fee as set forth in Chapter 150 of the Code of Riverside.
B.
Any container to be placed on a street or right-of-way shall be placed on the street in a legal parking space, not designated for use as a handicap parking space, as designated by the Township and shall be equipped with appropriate reflectors or other safety markings so that the container will not constitute a hazard to traffic. The Riverside Township Police, in the exercise of their discretion, may direct that additional markings, their location, or nature shall be supplemented or altered if the police determine such actions are necessary for the protection of the motoring public.
C.
Any permit issued for placement of a container on a street, right-of-way or other public property shall be valid for a period of 14 days, and sticker or notice shall be prominently displayed on the property associated with the use of the container indicating the commencement and expiration date of the permit.
D.
Any container placed on private property shall be placed on a suitable base to assure stability. If, in the opinion of the Riverside Township Police, the location is sufficiently near to a public vehicular or pedestrian path, the permit may require suitable safety markings as set forth in Subsection B, above.
E.
Any permit issued for placement of a bulk storage container on private property shall be valid for a period of 30 days, and sticker or notice shall be prominently displayed on the property associated with the use of the container indicating the commencement and expiration date of the permit.
F.
Upon a showing of continued need for the container (such as during the course of major construction projects), permits may be renewed up to three times for like periods upon application for renewal and payment of a renewal fee as set forth in Chapter 150 of the Code of Riverside.
A person applying for a permit under this chapter may apply for an additional extension of time to keep the bulk storage container in place as set forth in this section.
A.
Applications for extensions beyond those specified in this chapter shall be made to the Township Zoning Officer or his/her designee on a form to be provided by the Township. The application shall contain full identifying information regarding the container, permit number, time it has been at the site, and reason for use. The application shall contain a narrative statement of the reason necessary for additional time. The application shall be accompanied by a fee as set forth in Chapter 150 of the Code of Riverside.
B.
The application shall be reviewed and a determination made as to whether an additional extension should be granted, and the duration of that extension, within five business days of the filing of a complete application. In considering the application, the Zoning Officer or his/her designee shall consider the length of time the container has been in place; the reason for the container and the reasonableness of the time allotted under this chapter for completion of that purpose in light of all attendant circumstances; the location of the container with respect to blocking or interfering with the efficient parking or passage of traffic, visual impact, nature of the neighborhood, and similar issues; whether noise, litter, or similar quality of life problems have been associated with the use of the container; whether the delay in completing the work or project for which the container is necessary is beyond the reasonable control of the user of the container; the additional time reasonably necessary to complete the work or project; and such other factors as may be deemed reasonable and appropriate under the circumstances.
Any person applying for a permit who is dissatisfied by a decision of the Township Zoning Officer may appeal that decision to the Township Planning Board.
The person contracting for the use of the container and the owner of the property associated with its use shall be jointly responsible for compliance with the provisions of this chapter. Copies of the penalty provisions of this chapter shall appended to the permit and shall be mailed with a copy of the permit to the owner of the container, the property owner, and any other interested party.
Violations of this chapter or any conditions of a permit issued pursuant to this chapter shall be subject to a fine in accordance with Chapter 2 of the Code of the Township. Any bulk storage container placed or maintained on Township property, streets, or rights-of-way, or left in such a location after expiration of the permit for more than 10 days after the mailing of written notice to the owner of the container, the person contracting for the use of the container, and the owner of the affected property may be removed by the Township at the owner's expense for removal and storage of the container. Notices to remove pursuant to this section shall be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, or by personal delivery. Such charge for removal and storage of the container shall be in addition to any fines that my otherwise be imposed pursuant to this section.
The provisions of this chapter are severable. Should any section or portion of this chapter be determined to be invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining sections shall remain in full force and effect.
The Township Clerk shall provide notice of the adoption of this chapter to all businesses and individuals known to be renting or leasing bulk storage containers in the Township within 30 days of the adoption of this chapter.