[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Council of the Town of Phillipsburg 3-20-1984 by Ord. No. O:84-11 (Ch. 8 of the 1969 Code). Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Vehicles and traffic — See Ch. 67.
Junkyards — See Ch. 353.
Parking during emergencies — See Ch. 409.
Streets and sidewalks — See Ch. 545.
Unattended vehicles with keys — See Ch. 605.
Unlicensed motor-driven vehicles — See Ch. 610.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ABANDONED
A vehicle which has remained on or along the highway or other public property or upon private property without such consent for a period of more than 48 hours or for any period without current license plates.
INOPERATIVE MOTOR VEHICLE
Any motor vehicle incapable of being legally operated or moved under its own power on the public streets and highways of the State of New Jersey.
No person, firm or corporation shall keep any wrecked, dismantled, junked, abandoned or inoperable motor vehicle or any parts thereof in the open upon public or private property unless licensed as a junk shop or junkyard.
[Amended 2-21-1989 by Ord. No. O:89-4; 4-9-2025 by Ord. No. O:2025-06]
It shall be unlawful for any person to keep or permit the keeping on streets, vacant lots or anywhere on residential property, except in a fully enclosed structure, any motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer which:
A. 
Because of mechanical or structural defect or damage is incapable of movement under its own power;
Any violation of this section to which the defendant chooses to plead “guilty” shall result in a fine as follows:
(1) 
Plea of guilty: $50.
B. 
Does not display a current or valid registration;
C. 
For any other reason is not capable of safe and lawful operation over the highways of this state.
A wrecked, dismantled, junked, abandoned or inoperable motor vehicle may be removed from the public streets or highways when 48 hours' notice has been served upon the registered owner, either in person or by mail to the last known address, to move such vehicle. However, if the vehicle obstructs traffic or is deemed to be a hazard, the police may remove such vehicle without prior notice to the owner.
A written notice to remove within seven days the wrecked, dismantled, junked, abandoned or inoperable vehicle from public property other than public streets and highways shall be served upon the registered owner thereof, either personally or by certified mail. If the vehicle is not removed within the time allowed by such notice, the police may remove such vehicle to a location provided by the Town for storage.
An unregistered vehicle on public streets or premises not owned or occupied by the owner of the vehicle shall be deemed abandoned and removed immediately.
The owner of the removed vehicle may repossess the same at any time prior to sale thereof, upon payment of the costs of removal plus storage charges.
[Amended 6-5-1984 by Ord. No. O:84-18]
Any person who shall violate any of the terms or provisions of this chapter or who shall commit or do any act or thing in this chapter prohibited shall, upon conviction thereof before the Municipal Court, pay a fine or be imprisoned as provided in Chapter 1, General Provisions, Article II, General Penalty.