[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township
of Easttown as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where
applicable.]
[Adopted 10-2-1989 by Ord. No. 222-89]
The following words, when used in this article, shall have the
meanings ascribed to them in this section:
A vehicle (other than a pedalcycle):
[Amended 8-17-1998 by Ord. No. 316-98]
The keeping of, or presence of, a hive on real property,
in such a manner as to cause injury or danger to the health, safety,
comfort or welfare of persons or property. In order to avoid a beekeeping
nuisance, beekeepers, and property owners housing a hive, shall also
comply with all applicable state law. By way of example and not limitation,
the following activities are hereby declared to be a public nuisance
and are, therefore, unlawful:
[Added 11-21-2022 by Ord. No. 453-22]
Multiple bees stinging, attacking or otherwise molesting others,
including pedestrians, bicyclists, motor vehicle passengers, or domestic
animals;
The keeping of bees not in compliance with zoning provisions;[1]
The keeping of bees which interferes with the freedom of movement
of persons in a public right-of-way; and
The keeping of overcrowded, bee-diseased or abandoned hives.
Activities, facilities, designs, measures or procedures used to manage stormwater impacts, to provide water quality treatment, infiltration, volume reduction and/or peak rate control, to promote groundwater recharge and to otherwise meet the purposes of Chapter 388, Stormwater Management, of the Code of Easttown Township. Stormwater BMPs are commonly grouped into one of two broad categories or measures: structural or nonstructural. Nonstructural BMPs or measures refer to operational and/or behavior-related practices that attempt to minimize the contact of pollutants with stormwater runoff, whereas structural BMPs or measures are those that consist of a physical device or practice that is installed to capture and treat stormwater runoff. Structural BMPs include, but are not limited to, a wide variety of practices and devices, from large-scale retention ponds and constructed wetlands to small-scale underground treatment systems, infiltration facilities, filter strips, low-impact design, bioretention, wet ponds, permeable paving, grassed swales, riparian or forested buffers, sand filters, detention basins and manufactured devices. Structural stormwater BMPs are permanent appurtenances to the site.
[Added 6-2-2014 by Ord.
No. 422-14]
A natural or man-made, existing or proposed facility, feature
or channel used for the transportation or transmission of stormwater
from one place to another. Conveyances shall include pipes, drainage
ditches, channels and swales (vegetated or other), gutters, stream
channels and like facilities or features.
[Added 6-2-2014 by Ord.
No. 422-14]
Any substance or material, the primary or common purpose
of which is to function by explosion, including all material which
is classified as forbidden, Class A, Class B, or Class C explosive
by the Interstate Commerce Commission, including, but not limited
to, dynamite, black blasting powder, pellet powders, initiating explosives,
blasting caps, electric blasting caps, safety fuse, fuse igniters,
fuse lighters, squibs, cordeau detonant fuse, instantaneous fuse,
ignition cord and igniters, but excepting small arms ammunition.
Leaves of trees or bushes which are not attached to the twig
or limb from which they fell.
Combustion of any materials for the purpose of disposing
of the materials.
Two or more instances in any trailing twelve-month period
of blocking or interfering with any public traffic lane, street or
right-of-way with loading or unloading activities, or failure to use
authorized off-street loading spaces and authorized loading areas
on the property in which items being loaded or unloaded are being
delivered to or from.
[Added 11-6-2017 by Ord.
No. 431-17]
A motor vehicle maintained upon open private grounds in Easttown
Township by the owner, lessee or occupier of such ground, which vehicle
is unable to move under its own power and has any of the following
physical defects (except where such vehicle is maintained in a lawful
vehicle repair or junkyard facility):
[Added 8-17-1998 by Ord. No. 316-98]
Broken windshields, mirrors or other glass with sharp edges;
One or more flat or open tires or tubes which could permit vermin
harborage;
Missing doors, windows, hood, trunk or other body parts which
could permit animal harborage;
Any body parts with sharp edges, including holes resulting from
rust;
Missing tires resulting in unsafe suspension of the motor vehicle;
Upholstery which is torn or open which could permit animal and/or
vermin harborage;
Broken headlamps or tail lamps with sharp edges;
Disassembled chassis parts, apart from the motor vehicle, stored
in a disorderly fashion or loose in or on the vehicle;
Protruding sharp objects from the chassis;
Broken vehicle frame suspended from the ground in an unstable
or unsafe manner;
Leaking or damaged oil pan or gas tank;
Exposed battery;
Inoperable locking mechanisms for doors or trunk;
Open or damaged floorboards, including trunk and fire wall;
Damaged bumpers pulled away from the perimeter of the vehicle;
Broken grill with protruding edges;
Loose or damaged metal trim and clips;
Broken antenna and like equipment;
Stored in an unstable manner; and
Such other defects which could threaten the health, safety and
welfare of persons or property.
A person found liable for more than three violations of Chapter 278 (Noise) within one year of the first offense.
[Added 11-21-2022 by Ord. No. 453-22]
The carrying on, engaging in, committing or, when in possession
of control or responsibility, permitting any practice, act, trade,
manufacture, business or profession which is injurious or dangerous
to the health, safety, comfort or welfare of persons or damaging to
the property of others or which prevents the reasonable use or enjoyment
of the property of others by reason of, among other things, odor,
smoke, dust, gas, noise, dirt, vibration, or the emission of radioactivity
or electromagnetic waves.
Includes a corporation, partnership, and association, as
well as a natural person.
No person shall cause, create or maintain any nuisance within
the Township of Easttown.
Nuisances include, but are not limited to, the following:
A.
The dumping or accumulation of garbage or rubbish on public or private
property, except in containers for temporary storage awaiting lawful
disposal.
B.
The storage of abandoned or junked automobiles on public or private
property.
C.
The erection or maintenance of any dangerous structure.
E.
Operating machinery, tools or equipment for the purpose of construction
or of performing repairs or maintenance on real or personal property
whereby noise is transmitted to the property of another before 7:00
a.m. or after 7:00 p.m. on weekdays and before 8:00 a.m. or after
5:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays at the prevailing time. Excepted
from the foregoing restrictions are customary and usual agricultural
operations, maintenance and repair operations performed on outdoor
recreational facilities, such as parks, playing fields, playground
facilities and golf and tennis facilities. In no event shall the foregoing
excepted actions commence prior to 6:00 a.m., prevailing time.
[Amended 11-7-2005 by Ord. No. 364-05]
F.
Maintaining one or more motor vehicle nuisances.
[Added 8-17-1998 by Ord. No. 316-98]
G.
Prohibited
discharges.
[Added 6-2-2014 by Ord.
No. 422-14]
H.
Prohibited
connections.
[Added 6-2-2014 by Ord.
No. 422-14]
I.
Improper
use of roof drains and sump pumps.
[Added 6-2-2014 by Ord.
No. 422-14]
J.
Alteration
of BMPs.
[Added 6-2-2014 by Ord.
No. 422-14]
K.
Creating or permitting a loading nuisance.
[Added 11-6-2017 by Ord.
No. 431-17]
L.
Creating
or permitting a beekeeping nuisance.
[Added 11-21-2022 by Ord. No. 453-22]
[Added 10-4-2010 by Ord. No. 398-10]
The prohibition of open burning shall be in effect, except when
the burning results from:
A.
An open burning set to prevent or abate a fire hazard, when approved
the Department of Environmental Protection's regional office and set
by or under the supervision of a public officer.
B.
A fire set for the purpose of instructing personnel in firefighting,
when approved by the Department of Environmental Protection's regional
office.
C.
A fire set for the prevention and control of disease or pests, when
approved by the Department of Environmental Protection's regional
office.
D.
A fire set for the purpose of burning, clearing and grubbing waste;
if within an air basin, an air curtain destructor must be used and
must be approved by the Department of Environmental Protection's regional
office.
E.
A fire set in conjunction with the production of agricultural commodities
in their unmanufactured state on the premises of the farm operation.
F.
A fire set solely for cooking food.
G.
A fire set solely for recreational or ceremonial purposes.
The following are specifically declared not to be nuisances
within the meaning of this article:
A.
The establishment or operation of a municipal disposal facility.
A.
No person
shall compound, mix, prepare, or manufacture, anywhere within the
Township, any explosives.
B.
No person
shall have, keep, use, or store any explosives anywhere within the
Township, unless the same are used, kept or stored in accordance with
the current requirements of the Fire Prevention Code recommended by
the National Board of Fire Underwriters, and unless a written permit
shall have been obtained from the Chief of the local fire company
having jurisdiction. The said Chief of the local fire company shall
issue such permit upon proof that the provisions of the Fire Prevention
Code, hereinafter referred to, are being complied with.
A.
Any drain or conveyance, whether on the surface or subsurface, that
allows any nonstormwater discharge, including sewage, process wastewater,
and wash water, to enter the Township's separate storm sewer system
or the waters of the commonwealth is prohibited.
C.
The following discharges are authorized unless they are determined
by the Township to be significant contributors to pollution to the
Township's separate storm sewer system or to the waters of the commonwealth:
(1)
Discharges from firefighting activities;
(2)
Potable water sources, including waterline and fire hydrant flushings;
(3)
Irrigation drainage;
(4)
Air-conditioning condensate;
(5)
Springs;
(6)
Water from crawl space pumps;
(7)
Pavement wash waters where spills or leaks of toxic or hazardous
materials have not occurred (unless all spill material has been removed)
and where detergents are not used;
(8)
Diverted stream flows;
(9)
Uncontaminated water from foundations or from footing drains;
(10)
Lawn watering;
(11)
Dechlorinated swimming pool discharges;
(12)
Uncontaminated groundwater;
(13)
Water from individual residential car washing; and
(14)
Routine external building washdown (which does not use detergents
or other compounds).
D.
In the event that the Township determines that any of the discharges identified in Subsection C significantly contribute pollutants to the Township's separate storm sewer system or to the waters of the commonwealth, or is notified of such significant contribution of pollution by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, the Township will notify the responsible person to cease the discharge.
E.
Upon notice provided by the Township under Subsection D, the discharger shall, within a reasonable time period, as determined by the Township consistent with the degree of pollution caused by the discharge, cease the discharge.
F.
Nothing in this section shall affect a discharger's responsibilities
under state law.
The following connections are prohibited, except as provided in § 280-7C:
A.
Any drain or conveyance, whether on the surface or subsurface, that
allows any nonstormwater discharge, including sewage, process wastewater,
and wash water, to enter a separate storm sewer system and any connections
to the separate storm sewer system from indoor drains and sinks.
B.
Any drain or conveyance connected from a commercial or industrial
land use to a separate storm sewer system which has not been documented
in plans, maps, or equivalent records and approved by the Township.
[Added 6-2-2014 by Ord.
No. 422-14]
A.
Roof drains and sump pump discharges shall not be connected to a
sanitary sewer.
B.
Roof drain, sump pump, foundation and footing drain discharges:
(1)
To the maximum extent practicable, shall discharge to infiltration
or vegetative BMPs or to vegetated or other areas with adequate capacity;
(2)
May be connected to streets, storm sewers, or roadside ditches only
if determined necessary or acceptable by the Township Engineer; and
(3)
Shall be considered in stormwater management calculations to demonstrate
that the conveyance and receiving facilities have adequate capacity.
[Added 6-2-2014 by Ord.
No. 422-14]
A.
No person shall modify, remove, fill, landscape, alter or impair
the effectiveness of any stormwater BMPs, conveyances, facilities,
areas or structures, unless the activity is part of an approved maintenance
program, without written approval of the Township.
B.
No person shall place any structure, fill, landscaping, additional
vegetation, yard waste, brush cuttings, or other waste or debris into
a BMP or conveyance, or within a stormwater easement, that would limit
or alter the functioning of the stormwater BMP or conveyance without
the written approval of the Township.
A.
Nothing
in this article shall be construed as applying to the regular military
or naval forces of the United States, the duly authorized militia
of this commonwealth, or to the Police and Fire Companies, nor to
the laboratories of schools, colleges and similar institutions when
confined to the purpose of instruction or research, or to explosives
in the forms prescribed by the official United States Pharmacopeia.
B.
"Nuisance,"
as defined herein, shall not include any agricultural operation conducted
in accordance with normal agricultural operations, so long as the
agricultural operation does not have a direct adverse effect on the
public health and safety.
[Amended 10-7-1996 by Ord. No. 293-96; 6-2-2014 by Ord. No. 422-14]
Any person who violates or permits a violation of this article
shall, upon conviction in a summary proceeding brought before a Magisterial
District Judge under the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure,
be guilty of a summary offense and shall be punishable by a fine of
not more than $1,000, plus costs of prosecution, including reasonable
attorneys' fees. In default of payment thereof, the defendant may
be sentenced to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 90 days. Each
day or portion thereof that such violation continues or is permitted
to continue shall constitute a separate offense, and each section
of this article that is violated shall also constitute a separate
offense.
In addition to any other remedies provided by law, the following
actions may be taken to remove or abate any continuing violations
of this article:
A.
The local fire company having jurisdiction, either with or without
the consent of the landowner or person in charge, may extinguish any
fire on public or private property kindled or burning in violation
of the provisions of this article; and
B.
The Board of Supervisors may proceed in law or equity to remove or abate any continuing violation of this article and, in addition, may proceed to impose and collect costs of such removal, together with a penalty as set forth in § 280-12, Violations and penalties, of this article.
[Amended 10-7-1996 by Ord. No. 293-96]
[Adopted 6-2-2014 by Ord.
No. 422-14]
[Amended 12-15-2014 by Ord. No. 424-14]
The Board of Supervisors finds it to be in the best interests
of the residents of the Township of Easttown, Chester County, Pennsylvania,
to provide for certain protections and safeguards in order to address
deteriorated properties, public nuisances and properties in serious
violation of state law or Township codes. Such protections and safeguards
include denial of permits and actions at law and in equity in order
to address deteriorated properties which have an impact upon crime,
the quality of life of our residents and require expenditures of public
funds in order to abate and correct nuisances, violations and delinquent
Township services accounts.
For the purpose of this article, the following terms shall have
the meanings indicated:
A Zoning Hearing Board or other body granted jurisdiction
to render decisions in accordance with the Pennsylvania Municipalities
Planning Code (53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.), the Second Class
Township Code (53 P.S. § 65101 et seq.) or the Code of the
Township of Easttown or a board authorized to act in a similar manner
by law.
A residential, commercial or industrial building or structure
and the land appurtenant to it.
Privileges related to real property granted by a municipality
such as the Township, including, but not limited to, building permits,
parking permits, occupancy permits, and special exceptions or variances
from zoning ordinances. The term includes approvals pursuant to land
use ordinances other than decisions on the substantive validity of
a zoning ordinance or map or the acceptance of a curative amendment.
Services provided at a cost by the Township or other municipal
entity, including water service, sanitary sewer service, refuse collection
and parking allotments/facilities, which benefit individual properties
and also serve to benefit the overall welfare, safety and health of
all residents of the Township.
A holder of title to residential, commercial or industrial
real estate, other than a mortgage lender, who possesses and controls
the real estate. The term includes, but is not limited to, heirs,
assigns, beneficiaries and lessees, provided this ownership interest
is a matter of public record.
Property which, because of its physical condition or use,
is regarded as a public nuisance at common law or has been declared
by the appropriate Township official a public nuisance in accordance
with the Code of the Township of Easttown, as amended.
A violation of a state law or Township code (as both terms
are defined herein) or other applicable code that poses an imminent
threat to the health and safety of the dwelling occupant, occupants
in surrounding structures or passersby. Property found to be a public
nuisance is also considered to be a serious violation.
A statute of the commonwealth or a regulation of an agency
charged with the administration and enforcement of commonwealth law.
An affirmative action as determined by a Township official
or officer of the court on the part of the property owner or managing
agent to remedy a serious violation of state law or Township code,
including, but not limited to, physical improvements or repairs to
the property.
Tax-delinquent real property, as defined under the Real Estate
Tax Sale Law (72 P.S. § 5860.101 et seq.), the Municipal
Claims and Tax Liens Law (53 P.S. § 7101 et seq.) or the
Second Class City Treasurer's Sale and Collection Act (53 P.S. § 27101
et seq.), located in any municipality in this commonwealth.
A building, housing, property maintenance, fire, health or
other public safety ordinance enacted or adopted by the Township,
including those ordinances, regulations and resolutions which establish
and assess fees for Township services and privileges such as sewer,
water, refuse collection and parking/parking arrangements. For purposes
of this article, the term does not include a subdivision and land
development ordinance or a zoning ordinance enacted by the Township.
[Amended 12-15-2014 by Ord. No. 424-14]
In addition to any other remedy available at law, including
those remedies available under the Neighborhood Blight Reclamation
and Revitalization Act (53 Pa.C.S.A. § 6101 et seq.), remedies
available in equity or other remedies as provided for in the Code
of the Township of Easttown, the Township may institute the following
actions against the owner of any property that is in serious violation
of a Township code or for failure to correct a condition which causes
the property to be regarded as a public nuisance:
A.
An in personam action may be initiated for a continuing violation
for which the owner takes no substantial step to correct within the
six months following receipt of an order by the Township to correct
the violation, unless the order is subject to a pending appeal before
an administrative agency or court. Notwithstanding any law limiting
the form of action for the recovery of penalties by the Township for
the violation of a Township code, the Township may recover, in a single
action under this section, an amount equal to the penalties imposed
against the owner and any costs of remediation lawfully incurred by,
or on behalf of, the Township to remedy any code violation.
[Amended 12-15-2014 by Ord. No. 424-14]
B.
A proceeding in equity.
C.
A lien may be placed against the assets of an owner of real property
that is in serious violation of a Township code or is regarded as
a public nuisance after a judgment, decree or order is entered by
a court of competent jurisdiction against the owner of the property
for an adjudication under either an in personam action or a proceeding
in equity as set forth above. In the case of an owner that is an association
or trust, this does not authorize a lien to be placed upon the individual
assets of the general partner, trustee, limited partner, shareholder,
member or beneficiary of the association or trust, except as otherwise
allowed by law.
A.
A person who lives or has a principal place of residence outside
this commonwealth, who owns property in this commonwealth against
which Township code or other applicable code violations have been
cited and the person is charged under 18 Pa.C.S.A. (relating to crimes
and offenses) and who has been properly notified of the violations
may be extradited to this commonwealth to face criminal prosecution
to the full extent allowed and in the manner authorized by 42 Pa.C.S.A.
Chapter 91 (relating to detainers and extradition).
B.
Where, after reasonable efforts, service of process for a notice
or citation for any Township code or other applicable code violations
for any real property owned by an association or trust cannot be accomplished
by handing a copy of the notice or citation to an executive officer,
partner, or trustee of the association or trust or to the manager,
trustee or clerk in charge of the property, the delivery of the notice
or citation may occur by registered, certified or United States express
mail, accompanied by a delivery confirmation:
(1)
To the registered office of the association or trust.
(2)
Where the association or trust does not have registered office, to
the mailing address used for real estate tax collection purposes,
if accompanied by the posting of a conspicuous notice on the property
and by handing a copy of the notice or citation to the person in charge
of the property at that time.
A.
The Township or a board may deny issuing to an applicant a municipal
permit if the applicant owns real property in the Township for which
there exists on the real property:
[Amended 12-15-2014 by Ord. No. 424-14]
(1)
Tax and/or municipal services delinquencies on account of the actions
of the owner; or
(2)
A serious violation and the owner has taken no substantial step to
correct the serious violation within six months following notification
of the violation and for which fines, penalties or a judgment to abate
or correct were imposed by a Magisterial District Judge or Municipal
Court or a judgment at law or in equity was imposed by a Court of
Common Pleas. No denial shall be permitted if a judgment is subject
to a stay or supersedeas by order of court, or if the municipal permit
is necessary to correct a violation of state law or a Township code.
B.
The municipal permit denial as above described shall not apply to
an applicant's delinquency on taxes and/or municipal services charges
that are under appeal or otherwise contested through a court or administrative
process.
C.
In issuing a denial of a municipal permit, the Township or the Board
shall indicate the street address, Township and county in which the
property is located and the court and docket number for each parcel
cited as a basis for the denial. The denial shall also state that
the applicant may request a letter of compliance from the appropriate
state agency, Township or school district in the form specified by
such entity.
[Amended 12-15-2014 by Ord. No. 424-14]
D.
All municipal permits denied in accordance with this section may
be withheld by the Township until an applicant obtains a letter of
compliance from the appropriate state agency, Township or school district
indicating the following:
[Amended 12-15-2014 by Ord. No. 424-14]
(1)
The property in question has no tax or municipal services delinquencies;
(2)
The property in question is now in compliance with state law, Township
codes or other applicable codes; or
(3)
The owner of the property has presented and the appropriate entity
has accepted a plan to begin remediation of a serious violation of
state law, Township code or other applicable codes.
E.
If a letter of compliance or a letter of noncompliance, as the case
may be, is not issued with 45 days of the request, the property shall
be deemed to be in compliance for the purposes of this section. The
appropriate state agency, Township or school district shall specify
the form in which the request for a compliance letter shall be made.
Such letters shall be verified by the appropriate Township officials
before issuing to the applicant a municipal permit.
[Amended 12-15-2014 by Ord. No. 424-14]
F.
Boards, including the Township Zoning Hearing Board, may deny approval
of municipal permits, which includes special exception approval and
variance relief, if warranted as set forth above to the extent that
approval of such a municipal permit is within the jurisdiction of
the Board.
G.
The Township may appear to present evidence that the applicant is
subject to denial by a board in accordance with this section.
H.
A municipal permit may only be denied to an applicant other than
an owner if the applicant is acting under the direction or with the
permission of the owner and that owner owns real property that is
subject to denial as set forth hereinabove.
Where property is inherited by will or intestacy, the devisee
or heir shall be given the opportunity to make payments on reasonable
terms to correct code violations or to enter into a remediation agreement
with the Township to avoid subjecting the devisee's or heir's other
properties to asset attachment or denial of municipal permits and
approvals on other properties owned by the devisee or heir. Such opportunity
shall be given at the Township's discretion and subject to the revocation
upon the devisee's or heir's failure to proceed with a payment plan
or to progress forward and complete a remediation plan.
