Except where otherwise indicated by the context, the following definitions shall apply in the interpretation and enforcement of this article:
Junk.
All worn-out, worthless, discarded or secondhand material or equipment in general, including any scrap metal, bottles, glass, paper, cordage, junked vehicles, machinery and equipment and/or parts thereof.
Junkyard.
A yard, lot or place, covered or uncovered, containing junk, upon which occurs one or more acts of buying, storing or keeping, dismantling, processing, selling or offering for sale any such junk, in whole or by parts, for a business or commercial purpose, regardless whether or not the proceeds from such act or acts are to be used for charitable purposes or such location is a primary or incidental use of such property.
(2003 Code, sec. 4.201)
Hereafter, any place being used or maintained by any person, partnership or corporation as a junkyard is hereby declared to be a public and common nuisance and is hereby prohibited within the city limits unless its operation and maintenance is conducted in accordance with these regulations and a permit to operate or maintain such junkyard has been issued by the city council.
(2003 Code, sec. 4.202)
(a) 
Any person desiring to use or maintain any property within the city for the purpose of a junkyard shall make written application to the city manager for a permit. Said application shall set forth the name and address of the applicant and legal description of the property or premises upon which the junkyard is proposed or conducted and any other information or evidence required or desired to be submitted by the city manager deemed necessary to properly consider the application. Upon receipt of such application, the city council shall decide in its discretion whether to approve or reject the application at its next regularly scheduled meeting. In considering said application, the city council shall take into account the nature and development of surrounding property, the proximity of churches, schools, hospitals, public buildings and other places of public gatherings, the health, safety and general welfare of the public and the suitability of the applicant to operate and/or establish and maintain such a yard or business. If the city council approves the application, the city manager shall issue a permit to the applicant upon the payment of the permit fee.
(b) 
All existing junkyards in operation or being maintained prior to the effective date of this article shall be required to make application for a permit within sixty (60) days from the effective date of this article and to comply with all general regulations hereof.
(2003 Code, sec. 4.203)
(a) 
Before any permit is issued to operate or maintain a junkyard, the applicant shall pay an annual fee as specified in appendix A of this code. Any permit issued shall be valid for one (1) year from the date of its issuance, but may be renewed from year to year in a like manner as is provided for in the original permit.
(b) 
The city council shall have the power to revoke any permit for a junkyard granted by them at any time for violation of any provisions of this article, but only after notice has been given to the owner(s) and a hearing held not less than ten (10) days after the service of such notice.
(2003 Code, sec. 4.204; Ordinance 12-03, sec. 28, adopted 2/21/12)
All junkyards hereafter permitted after the adoption of this article shall be restricted to industrially zoned properties or areas of the city, except those junkyards presently in operation on the effective date of this article shall be allowed to continue to operate even if located in another zoning district provided a permit has been secured in accordance with section 4.04.002 hereof.
(2003 Code, sec. 4.205)
The following requirements shall be met by all owners of any junkyard within the city:
(1) 
Contents to be kept in orderly condition.
The junk or rubbish or salvage to be placed within the premises of a junkyard shall be kept in an orderly condition allowing sufficient space on each side so an individual may be able to walk among junk or rubbish or salvage and inspect the premises and to permit easy access to all junk for firefighting purposes.
(2) 
Premises must be open to inspection.
All junkyards must be open to inspection by law enforcement officials, health department representatives, fire department officials and building inspectors. Such inspections shall be for the purpose of ascertaining whether any health, safety or sanitary violations exist and to assist in locating stolen or lost property.
(3) 
Vehicles and machinery to be drained of all flammables.
It shall be the duty of the owner(s) of the junkyard to see that the automobiles, trucks, tractors or machinery of any kind which is kept within the premises are drained of all flammable liquids and oils.
(4) 
Screening.
The property and premises of such junkyards shall be enclosed by a fence at least six feet (6') in height, measured from ground level, and of material which obscures the view. Said fence shall be kept in good repair at all times and no junk of any character, or parts or machinery of any kind, shall be allowed to remain outside of such fence. However, any person operating such junkyard in the city shall be allowed ninety (90) days from the effective date of this article within which to construct a fence of the kind and character required. Such fence enclosing the junkyard shall not be used for bill postings or for other advertising purposes, except a space not larger than fifty (50) square feet which may be used for the advertisement of the junkyard and if not in violation of the city’s zoning ordinance.
(5) 
Contents not to collect water.
It shall be the duty of the owner(s) of the junkyard to see that the contents of said junkyard will not be placed in a position whereby they will collect water, thus becoming a breeding place for mosquitoes.
(6) 
Standing water.
No water shall be allowed to stand in any place on the premises in such manner as to afford a breeding place for mosquitoes.
(7) 
Tall weeds.
Weeds and other uncultivated growth on the premises other than trees, shrubs and bushes shall be kept at a height of not more than twelve inches (12").
(8) 
Garbage and waste.
No garbage or other waste shall be kept on the premises, nor shall any refuse of any kind be kept on the premises, unless such refuse is junk as defined herein and in use on the permitted premises.
(9) 
Open fires.
The burning of rubbish, trash, automobiles or any parts thereof, or other junk, shall not be permitted.
(10) 
Storage of junk.
No junk shall be allowed to rest upon or protrude over any public street, walkway or curb or become scattered or blown off the premises of such junkyard. Also, the owner(s) shall not allow or permit junk to be stored at a height exceeding the height of the fence enclosing the premises.
(11) 
Dismantling of appliances and other items.
All junk, including but not limited to refrigerators, stoves, washing machines and dryers, shall be rendered in such a manner to prevent entrapment. All refrigerators and freezers not stored in a lockable structure shall have the doors removed. All junk stored or accumulated on said premises shall be dismantled in such a manner so that they do not constitute a public safety hazard.
(12) 
Combustible material.
No combustible material of any kind not necessary or beneficial to the permitted business shall be kept on the premises, nor shall the premises be allowed to become a fire hazard.
(2003 Code, sec. 4.206)