[Ord. No. 04-12]
For use in this chapter, the following terms are defined:
CAMPER
A vehicle without motive power used or so manufactured or
constructed as to permit its use as a conveyance upon a public street
or highway and so designed to allow it to sit in a bed of a pickup
truck and designed to provide temporary living quarters for recreational,
camping or travel use. The term also embraces travel trailers and
fifth-wheel travel trailers as defined by the Code of Iowa.
[Amended 3-23-2023 by Ord. No. 23-02]
DRIVEWAY
An established hard surface or crushed rock base portion
of a residential lot leading from the street to an existing garage
or to the side of the house if there is no garage and does not include
any area of a grassed yard.
JUNK
All old or scrap copper, brass, lead, or any other nonferrous
metal; old or discarded rope, rags, batteries, paper, trash, rubber,
debris, waste or used lumber, or salvaged wood; dismantled vehicles,
machinery and appliances or parts of such vehicles, machinery or appliances;
iron, steel or other old or scrap ferrous materials; old or discarded
glass, tinware, plastic or old or discarded household goods or hardware.
Neatly stacked firewood located on a side yard or a rear yard is not
considered junk.
JUNK VEHICLE
Any vehicle or motor vehicle, including a camper, located
within the corporate limits of the City, whether licensed or unlicensed,
which has any of the following characteristics:
A.
Has become a habitat of rats, mice, skunks, or any other vermin
or insects.
B.
Lacks an engine or one or more wheels or other structural parts
which render it inoperable.
C.
Is in defective or obsolete condition in any way which constitutes
a threat to the public health, safety or welfare.
UNLICENSED
Any vehicle or motor vehicle not displaying a valid current
license as required by the laws of the State of Iowa.
VEHICLE
Every device in, upon or by which a person or property is
or may be transported or drawn upon a highway or street, except devices
moved by human power or used exclusively upon stationary rails or
tracks, and includes without limitation a motor vehicle, automobile,
truck, motorcycle, tractor, buggy, wagon, camper, farm machinery,
or any combination thereof.
[Amended 3-23-2023 by Ord. No. 23-02]
It is unlawful for any person to store, accumulate, or allow
to remain on any private property within the corporate limits of the
City any junk or junk vehicle.
[Amended 3-23-2023 by Ord. No. 23-02]
It is hereby declared that any junk or junk vehicle located upon private property, unless excepted by §
190-4, constitutes a threat to the health and safety of the residents and is a nuisance within the meaning of Chapter
223, Nuisance Abatement, of the Code of Ordinances or § 657.1 of the Code of Iowa. If any junk or junk vehicle is kept upon private property in violation hereof, the owner of or person occupying the property upon which it is located shall be prima facie liable for said violation.
The provisions of this chapter do not apply to:
A. Structure. Any junk or a junk
vehicle stored within a garage or other enclosed structure.
B. Business enterprise. A business
enterprise lawfully involved in the repair, maintenance, sales or
salvage of vehicles, provided they comply with the requirements for
location, screening and storage as prescribed by the zoning regulations.
C. Vehicle repair. A vehicle under
active repair parked upon the driveway of a residentially zoned property
not having a garage, provided the owner has notified the Police Department
in writing of the owner's intent to actively repair the vehicle and
the repairs are completed within 30 days of the notification.
Upon discovery of any junk or junk vehicle located upon private property in violation of §
190-3, the City shall within five days initiate abatement procedures as outlined in Chapter
223, Nuisance Abatement, of this Code of Ordinances.