[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township of Washington 12-5-1988 by Ord. No. 108. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Open burning — See Ch. 128.
Solid waste — See Ch. 288.
Stormwater management — See Ch. 295.
Zoning — See Ch. 360.
This chapter shall be known as the "Washington Township Junk Dealer, Junkyard and Scrap Yard Ordinance."
Except where otherwise indicated by the context, the following definitions shall apply in the interpretation and enforcement of this chapter:
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Supervisors of Washington Township, Franklin County, Pennsylvania.
CONDITIONAL APPROVAL
Approval of the application by the Supervisors which permits the applicant to develop his property as per the requirements of this chapter. Conditional approval does not permit the applicant to operate the junkyard or accumulate any junk in the approved location.
[Amended 11-16-2009 by Ord. No. 224]
JUNK
Old iron, steel, brass, copper, tin, lead, other base metals; old cordage, ropes, rags, fibers, or fabrics; old rubber, vinyl, plastic or other synthetics; old bottles, or other glass; wastepaper or other waste or discarded material which might be prepared to be used again in some form; motor vehicles no longer used as such and to be used for scrap metal or stripping of parts.
JUNK DEALER
Another name for a licensee.
JUNKYARD (SALVAGE YARD)
A lot, land or structure, or part thereof, used for the collection, storage, and/or sale of wastepaper, rags, scrap metal, junk or discarded materials, or for the collecting, dismantling, storage, and salvaging of machinery or vehicles not in running condition, and/or for the sale of parts thereof.
[Amended 11-16-2009 by Ord. No. 224]
LICENSEE
Any person holding a valid, current license issued pursuant to this chapter or any predecessor ordinance in the municipality.
MUNICIPALITY
The Township of Washington, Franklin County, Pennsylvania.
PERSON
Any natural or other person, firm, partnership, association, corporation, company or organization of any kind.
SALVAGE YARD
Another name for "junkyard."
SCRAP YARD
Another name for "junkyard."
[Added 11-16-2009 by Ord. No. 224]
A. 
License required. No person shall establish, operate or maintain or permit to be established, operated or maintained upon any property owned or controlled by him, a junkyard within the limits of the Township without having first secured a license from the Township. Such license shall be issued by the Township, or its representative, in accordance with this chapter.
B. 
Licensee with multiple locations. Any licensee establishing, operating or maintaining a junkyard at more than one location shall be required to have in effect a separate license for each such location.
C. 
Licensing period; renewal; posting. Each license issued pursuant to this chapter shall be valid for a period of not more than one year from the date of issuance. Each such license shall be subject to annual renewal provided applicable fees, fines and penalties have been paid and provided the junkyard continues to be operated and maintained in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. A current license shall be conspicuously displayed or posted upon the licensed junkyard at all times.
Every person seeking a license under this chapter shall make written application to the Township on a form to be provided by the Township. The application shall include the following information:
A. 
The name and address of the applicant, if the applicant is a natural person; but if the applicant is another entity, the names and addresses of all officers, directors, partners, or natural persons having primary responsibility for the lawful day-to-day operation of the junkyard or scrap yard.
B. 
The names and addresses of the owner or owners of the land upon which the junkyard is to be laid out.
C. 
Written consent of the owner or owners of the property, if different from applicant.
D. 
A metes and bounds survey of the property showing the location of the property, together with a deed reference to the property, containing a layout of the proposed junkyard, and showing sufficient detail to establish compliance with this chapter, Chapter 360, Zoning, Chapter 295, Stormwater Management, and all other applicable ordinances, laws and regulations.
E. 
Plans and specifications for all fencing, water facilities, screening, access driveways, sewage disposal system and stormwater management.
F. 
Any other information, in any format and in as many copies, as the Township may from time to time require.
Any person wanting to establish, operate or maintain a junkyard within the Township may seek a conditional approval of an application by submitting an initial application and application fee after which:
A. 
The Board of Supervisors shall cause the manager to review the application and plans for completeness and for compliance with this chapter, other Township ordinances and regulations, and any state or federal laws or regulations; and shall further cause the manager to report his findings to the Board of Supervisors.
B. 
The Board of Supervisors shall thereafter review the application and may inspect the site, taking into consideration the suitability of the property proposed to be used for the purposes of the license, the character of the properties located nearby, and the effect of the proposed use upon the municipality, with specific reference to the general health, safety and welfare of the public and the residents of the Township.
C. 
The Board of Supervisors, in its sole discretion, may hold a public hearing on the application.
D. 
The Board of Supervisors may impose, in addition to the general requirements set forth in this chapter, such other terms and conditions as it may deem necessary to carry out the spirit and intent of this chapter and to effect the protections of the general health, safety, and welfare of the public and the residents of the Township.
E. 
After completion of the above items, and the determination by the Board of Supervisors that the applicant's plans and representations comply with this chapter and all other applicable ordinances, laws, rules and regulations, the Supervisors shall issue in writing a conditional approval of the site.
F. 
Conditional approval shall be in writing, and shall contain a statement that the application and plans as submitted are acceptable to the Board of Supervisors without modification; or shall contain a detailed and itemized list of other terms, conditions and requirements which must be met if the application is to be finally approved.
G. 
Conditional approval shall commit the Township to issue a license, pursuant to this chapter, only after the site is, in fact, in complete compliance with the terms of the conditional approval and the requirements of this chapter.
H. 
No junkyard, scrap yard or junk dealer shall conduct business on the site until a license is issued.
I. 
It shall be solely the obligation of the applicant to communicate to the Township, within the conditional approval period, that the site has been made to fully comply with this chapter and the terms, conditions and requirements of the conditional approval.
J. 
Conditional approval shall be valid for not more than six months, after which, if the site is not in full compliance with this chapter and all other terms, conditions, and requirements of the conditional approval, the conditional approval shall be revoked by the Board of Supervisors and the Township shall not thereafter be required to issue a license automatically, at the expiration of six months.
After a license has been issued for a junkyard in order to continue the operation and maintenance of such junkyard, the licensee shall be required to apply for license renewal on a form to be provided by the Township. Such application for renewal shall be filed with the Township within such time as to allow the Township an opportunity for on-site inspection of the junkyard prior to the date on which the license must be renewed; but in no event shall such application be filed fewer than 60 days before the expiration of the current license. The Board of Supervisors shall, from time to time, establish rules and regulations governing the application for and issuance of renewal licenses.
The following general requirements shall apply to all junkyards licensed in accordance with the provisions of this chapter:
A. 
Such premises shall at all times be maintained so as not to constitute a nuisance or a menace to the health, safety or welfare of the community and maintained so as not to provide a breeding place for rodents or vermin.
B. 
No garbage or other offal shall be stored in open containers for more than 10 days on the premises.
C. 
All junk shall be stored and arranged so as not to interfere with natural drainage of the land and shall be such as to prevent the accumulation of stagnant water and to facilitate access for fire-fighting purposes.
D. 
Maintenance shall be such that any adjacent stream or body of water shall not be polluted or damaged by the drainage or dumping of organic or inorganic waste materials or waste substances therein.
E. 
Junk shall be stored in piles not exceeding six feet in height within 36 feet of the property line or 41 feet from the street right-of-way line. Junk shall be permitted to be piled not exceeding 16 feet in height in the remaining area of the junkyard. Junk shall be arranged so as to permit easy access to all such junk for fire-fighting purposes.
F. 
No combustible material of any kind not necessary or beneficial to the licensed business shall be kept on the premises, nor shall the premises be allowed to become a fire hazard.
G. 
No oil, grease, tires, gasoline, tar, petroleum products, shingles or other similar material that might be dangerous or tend to produce obnoxious smoke or odors shall be burned within a junkyard at any time. No burning allowed in junkyards.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. III).
H. 
The licensee shall permit inspection of the business premises by the municipality or its appointed representative at any reasonable time.
I. 
Any property not provided for and approved by the Township with the licensee shall not be utilized for junkyard operations.
J. 
All oil, antifreeze, gasoline, transmission fluid and other vehicular fluids shall be drained from all vehicles before such vehicles are removed as scrap from the junkyard; and all such fluids shall be properly containerized, stored, transported and disposed of in the manner or manners prescribed by or consistent with regulations promulgated by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection in Title 25, Chapter 75, Pa. Code, relating to solid waste management, and in regulations promulgated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency at 40 CFR, Subchapter I, Parts 240-280, relating to solid wastes.
A. 
The area used for a junkyard shall be completely enclosed within a solid board or metal fence, with a minimum height of eight feet; or by a screen of trees; or by a combination of the above, as approved by the Board of Supervisors. All fences and screening shall be of sufficient height to screen the junkyard from view of adjacent properties and highways. All fences and screening proposed must be approved by the Board of Supervisors, who may approve such fencing or screening as may be deemed necessary in view of natural contours, features, and requirements. Tree screening utilized shall follow the following guidelines:
(1) 
A minimum of two rows of trees, shrubs, or other vegetation, not less than 50% evergreen materials, shall be planted to produce the effective visual barricade.
(2) 
At least two different species of trees, shrubs or other vegetation shall be utilized. Selected species shall exhibit different tolerances to insect and disease.
(3) 
Species selected must be capable of producing the effective visual barrier, eight feet in height, within five years of planting.
(4) 
Prompt replacement of any dead species shall be required.
B. 
Fencing and screening requirements.
(1) 
The required fencing and screening in Subsection A shall be set back the following minimum distance from the property line or street:
(a) 
Solid fencing: 25 feet from street right-of-way and 20 feet from all property lines.
(b) 
Tree screening: 25 feet from the street right-of-way and 10 feet from all property lines. However, all junk must be kept a minimum of 20 feet from the property line.
(2) 
The area between the property line or street right-of-way and the fence or tree screening shall be kept clean and vacant at all times.
C. 
All entrances and exits into and from the salvage yard shall have gates which shall be closed and locked when the yard is not in operation.
D. 
Sufficient off-street parking will be provided for loading and unloading vehicles as well as for employee and customer parking.
Any person wishing to extend or enlarge the area of an existing junkyard shall make application for a new license in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, and will be required to comply with all provisions of this chapter as if he were applying for a license for a new junkyard.
No license issued under this chapter shall be assigned or transferred to any other person without the express written authorization of the Township Manager. Any person wishing to transfer or assign such license shall make a written request to do so, directed to the Board of Supervisors and setting forth the name and address of the transferee and the date the transfer is expected to be effective. Such written request shall be submitted together with a transfer fee, the amount of which shall, from time to time, be determined by the Board of Supervisors; and such transfer fee shall not be returned, whether or not the transfer or assignment of the license is authorized. Such written request must be submitted at least 60 days prior to the date the transfer is expected to be effective.
The Board of Supervisors shall suspend any license issued hereunder upon failure of any licensee to comply with, or to maintain compliance with, or for violation of any provision, standard, or requirement of this chapter. The Township shall notify the licensee, in writing, of any section or sections of this chapter which the Township or its representative believes to have been violated. Any notice provided for herein may also identify a reasonable period of time within which the licensee may effect compliance without prosecution. Any notice provided for in this section may be served personally upon the licensee; or may be posted conspicuously upon the property for which the license has been granted; or may be posted conspicuously at the address of the licensee as shown on the application; or may be sent to the licensee by certified or registered mail to the address shown on the application.
Application fees, renewal fees, transfer fees and any other fees shall be established, from time to time, by resolution of the Board of Supervisors.
The Board of Supervisors may, from time to time, revise or alter the application form, renewal application form, and any other forms reasonable and necessary to the proper and effective administration of this chapter. The Board of Supervisors may, from time to time, by resolution, promulgate rules and regulations reasonable and necessary for the proper and effective administration of this chapter.
A. 
It shall be unlawful for any person to violate any of the following provisions of this chapter: §§ 193-3, 193-4, 193-5, 193-6, 793-7, 193-8, 193-9, 193-10, 193-11, 193-13.
B. 
It shall further be unlawful for any person to establish, operate or maintain a junkyard or junk dealership after a conditional approval has been granted but before a license has been issued. It shall be unlawful for any person to misrepresent material facts in any application or renewal application submitted under this chapter. It shall be unlawful for any applicant or licensee to fail to notify the Township if said licensee is ever cited by county, state or federal authorities for alleged violations of law, rules or regulations relating to the operation of junkyards.
The Township Manager, or the Code Enforcement Officer, or any other representative duly authorized by the Board of Supervisors, shall be permitted to enter and inspect the premises of any licensee or any applicant for conditional approval at any reasonable time and with no notice. Routine inspections of each licensee will be conducted at least two times annually.
Persons licensed under this chapter shall maintain permanent records of all junk received in or removed from the junkyard premises. The records shall state who delivered or who received the junk, the date and time thereof and a description of the junk. The records shall be open to inspection at all reasonable times by the Board of Supervisors or representatives thereof or the Township Police Department.
[1]
Editor's Note: Added at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. III).
Junkyards and businesses licensed under this chapter shall not operate between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. prevailing time, except to remove any wrecked vehicle from any public highway or road.
[1]
Editor's Note: Added at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. III).
Persons licensed under this chapter shall keep and retain upon the licensed premises, for a period of 48 hours after the purchase or receipt thereof, all junk received or purchased by them. The junk shall not be disturbed, reduced or altered from the original shape, form or condition until the aforesaid forty-eight-hour period has expired.
[1]
Editor's Note: Added at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. III).
[Amended 9-15-1997 by Ord. No. 141][1]
Any person who violates or permits a violation of this chapter 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. 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 chapter that is violated shall also constitute a separate offense. The minimum fine to be imposed is $50 per day or portion thereof for a first offense; $100 per day or portion thereof for a second offense and $500 per day or portion thereof for each subsequent offense. The Magisterial District Judge may impose a fine of more than the minimum amounts set forth above.
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. III).