The purpose and intent of this article is to provide a uniform and comprehensive set of standards for wrecking and salvage yards within the city limits.
(Ordinance 442 adopted 7/11/2023)
The following words, terms, and phrases when used in this article shall have the meaning ascribed to them in this section except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning.
Solid.
Constructed and maintained so that the outer surface thereof is continuous and without interstices, gaps, spaces, or holes. This shall not be construed to prohibit any spaces or gaps left by a property constructed and maintained chainlink fence with strips or slats as hereinafter provided.
Wrecking and salvage yard.
Any lot or tract of land whereon three (3) or more discarded, abandoned, junked, wrecked, or worn-out automotive vehicles, including but not limited to autos, trucks, tractor-trailers, trailers, watercraft, heavy equipment, outdoor power equipment, powersport equipment (motorcycles, atv's, utv's), travel trailers, recreational vehicles, motorhomes, and/or buses, are kept or stored for the purpose of disassembling, dismantling, cutting up, stripping, repairing, or otherwise wrecking such vehicles to extract therefrom parts, components, or accessories for sale or for use in automotive repair or rebuilding business.
(Ordinance 45 adopted 8/23/82; 1982 Code, ch. 4, sec. 13(A); Ordinance 442 adopted 7/11/2023)
All oil, gasoline, and other flammable liquids shall be completely drained and removed from any junked, wrecked, or abandoned vehicle before said vehicle is placed in any wrecking and salvage yard in the city.
(Ordinance 45 adopted 8/23/82; 1982 Code, ch. 4, sec. 13(E); Ordinance 442 adopted 7/11/2023)
(a) 
Required; height.
Every wrecking and salvage yard, within the city shall be completely surrounded and enclosed by a solid fence or wall as follows:
(1) 
Any side of such yard which extends generally parallel to and within one hundred feet (100') of any public street right-of-way shall be bounded by a solid fence or wall at least eight feet (8') in height.
(2) 
All sides of such yard not included in subsection (1) above shall be bounded by a solid fence or wall at least six feet (6') in height.
(b) 
Construction and maintenance.
Every fence or wall herein required shall be constructed and maintained as follows:
(1) 
All fences shall be constructed of wood, masonry, corrugated sheet metal, chainlink, or any combination thereof; provided, however, that any one (1) side of an wrecking and salvage yard, shall be bounded by a fence or wall constructed of only one (1) of the above materials.
(2) 
Chainlink fences shall be constructed of galvanized chainlink fencing with wood or metal slats or strips run through all links of the chainlink fence.
(3) 
All fences or walls shall extend downward to within three inches (3") of the ground and shall test plumb and square at all times.
(4) 
All fences or walls shall be constructed in compliance with all applicable provisions of the building code of the city.
(c) 
Use of wall or door of building.
Any part of a fence or wall required by this article may consist in whole or in part of a solid wall and door, or walls and doors, of any completely enclosed building on said premises, if such wall or door meets all construction requirements hereinabove set forth.
(d) 
Gates.
Openings in the prescribed enclosure which are necessary to permit reasonable access to said wrecking and salvage yards shall be equipped with a solid gate or gates, constructed and maintained in accordance with the requirements for a fence or wall hereinabove set forth. Such gates shall be closed and securely locked at all times except during normal daytime business hours.
(Ordinance 45 adopted 8/23/82; 1982 Code, ch. 4, sec. 13(F)–(I); Ordinance 442 adopted 7/11/2023)
It shall be unlawful for any owner, operator, or his agents or employees to display, store, or work on any junked or wrecked automotive vehicle, or the parts, accessories or junk therefrom, outside of or above the herein required fence or wall.
(Ordinance 45 adopted 8/23/82; 1982 Code, ch. 4, sec. 13(J))
All automotive vehicles, parts, and other materials located in or on the premises of any automotive wrecking and salvage yard in the city shall be so arranged to allow reasonable access to and inspection of the premises by authorized fire, health, police, and building officials of the city.
(Ordinance 45 adopted 8/23/82; 1982 Code, ch. 4, sec. 13(K))
A person violating a provision of this article shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not less than $50.00 and not more than $200.00 for a first conviction, and by not less than $200.00 and not more than $500.00 for each additional conviction. Each and every day's violation shall constitute a separate and distinct offense.
(Ordinance 442 adopted 7/11/2023)
All regulations provided in this article are hereby declared to be governmental and for the health, safety and welfare of the general public. Any member of the city council or any city official or employee charged with the enforcement of this article, acting for the city in the discharge of his or her duties, shall not thereby render himself or herself personally liable, and he or she is hereby relieved from all personal liability for any damage that might accrue to persons or property as a result of any act required or permitted in the discharge of said duties.
(Ordinance 442 adopted 7/11/2023)
No person shall exercise, carry on, or engage in the business of operating an automotive wrecking and salvage yard unless such person first obtains a license to do so from the city. A separate license shall be required for operators of automotive wrecking and salvage yards for each place of business.
(Ordinance 45 adopted 8/23/82; 1982 Code, ch. 4, sec. 13(B))
Any person desiring a license required herein shall make application therefor in writing to the city secretary stating where the business is to be located and the residential address of the owner and the manager. Upon receipt of such application, the city secretary shall investigate the applicant and shall determine whether or not the license should be issued or refused. If the city secretary shall refuse the issuance of the license, he shall do so in writing, stating the reasons for such refusal. The applicant may, within ten (10) days of the receipt of the written refusal, appeal the decision of the city secretary to the city council, provided he does so in writing. The city council shall then decide the matter, and their decision shall be final.
(Ordinance 45 adopted 8/23/82; 1982 Code, ch. 4, sec. 13(C))
The license fee for each automotive wrecking and salvage yard shall be fifty dollars ($50.00) per annum payable on the first (1st) day of April of each year.
(Ordinance 45 adopted 8/23/82; 1982 Code, ch. 4, sec. 13(D))