[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of Dravosburg as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Nuisances — See Ch. 195.
Solid waste — See Ch. 250.
Vehicle towing and removal — See Ch. 293.
Zoning — See Ch. 310.
[Adopted 12-17-2002 by Ord. No. 02-04]
A. 
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated, unless a different meaning clearly appears from the context:
BOROUGH
Borough of Dravosburg.
LESSEE
Owner for the purpose of this article when the lessor holds the lessee responsible for maintenance and repairs.
MOTOR VEHICLE
Any type of mechanical device, propelled by a motor, in which persons or property may be transported upon public streets or highways, and including trailers or semitrailers pulled thereby.
NUISANCE
Any condition, structure, or improvement which shall constitute a threat or potential threat to the health, safety or welfare of the citizens of the Borough of Dravosburg.
OWNER
The actual owner, agent, or custodian of the property on which motor vehicles are stored, whether an individual or partnership, association, or corporation.
PERSON
Any natural person, firm, partnership, association, corporation or other legal entity.
B. 
In this article, the singular shall include the plural; the plural shall include the singular; and the masculine shall include the feminine and the neuter.
It shall be unlawful for any person, owner or lessee to maintain a motor vehicle nuisance upon the open private grounds of such person, owner or lessee within the Borough. A motor vehicle nuisance shall include any motor vehicle which does not have a current and valid Pennsylvania inspection sticker; does not have a current and valid vehicle registration plate or sticker issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, or another state; or which is unable to move under its own power and has any of the following physical defects:
A. 
Broken windshields, mirrors or other glass, with sharp edges.
B. 
One or more flat or open tires or tubes which could permit vermin harborage.
C. 
Missing doors, windows, hood, trunk or other body parts which could permit animal harborage.
D. 
Any body parts with sharp edges including holes resulting from rust.
E. 
Missing tires resulting in unsafe suspension of the motor vehicle.
F. 
Upholstery which is torn or open which could permit animal and/or vermin harborage.
G. 
Broken headlamps or tail-lamps with sharp edges.
H. 
Disassembled chassis parts apart from the motor vehicle stored in a disorderly fashion or loose in or on the vehicle.
I. 
Protruding sharp objects from the chassis.
J. 
Broken vehicle frame suspended from the ground in an unstable manner.
K. 
Leaking or damaged oil pan or gas tank which could cause fire or explosion.
L. 
Exposed battery containing acid.
M. 
Inoperable locking mechanism for doors or trunk.
N. 
Open or damaged floorboards, including trunk and firewall.
O. 
Damaged bumpers pulled away from the perimeter of the vehicle.
P. 
Broken grill with protruding edges.
Q. 
Loose or damaged metal trim and clips.
R. 
Broken communication equipment antennas.
S. 
Suspended on unstable supports.
T. 
Such other defects which could threaten the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the Borough of Dravosburg.
A. 
Any person, owner or lessee who has one or more motor vehicle nuisances as defined above may store such vehicle(s) in the Borough only in strict compliance with the regulations provided herein. Such person, owner or lessee must first apply for a permit for either temporary or permanent storage and pay a fee to the Borough such as may be provided from time to time by resolution of the Borough Council. The motor vehicle nuisance(s) must be stored within a garage or other enclosed building, or outside within an opaque fence at least six feet high which is locked at all times when unattended. With the special approval of the Borough Council, motor vehicle nuisances may also be stored outside in an area enclosed by a chain link perimeter fence, at least six feet high, screened by shrubbery around the perimeter to the height of the fence, with an unobstructed gate capable of admitting fire or emergency equipment. Such gate shall remain locked at all times when unattended. In addition, all gas and oil or other flammable liquid shall be removed from the motor vehicle and it shall be kept free of vermin infestation while being stored. The total area of storage of motor vehicle nuisances may not exceed 200 square feet.
B. 
Nothing herein shall be construed to permit the storage of motor vehicle nuisances contrary to the provisions of Chapter 310, Zoning.
A. 
The Zoning/Code Enforcement Officer of the Borough is hereby empowered to inspect grounds on which motor vehicles are stored to determine if there is compliance with the provisions of this article. If noncompliance with the provisions of this article constitutes a nuisance, or if any condition, structure, or improvement poses a threat to the health, safety, or welfare of the public, the Zoning/Code Enforcement Officer of the Borough shall issue a written notice to be served by registered or certified mail upon the owner of said premises or, if the owner's whereabouts or identity be unknown, by posting the notice conspicuously upon the offending premises.
B. 
Said notice shall specify the condition or structure or improvement complained of, and shall require the owner to commence to remove or otherwise rectify the condition or structure or improvement as set forth therein within 10 days of mailing or posting of said notice, and thereafter to fully comply with the requirements of the notice within a reasonable time.
If the owner of grounds on which motor vehicles are stored does not comply with the notice to abate the conditions within the time limit prescribed, the Borough shall have the authority to take measures to correct the conditions and collect the costs of such corrections, plus 10% of all costs. The Borough, in such event and pursuant to its statutory or otherwise authorized police powers, shall have the right and power to enter upon the offending premises to accomplish the foregoing.
A. 
Any person aggrieved by the decision of the Zoning/Code Enforcement Officer of the Borough may request and shall then be granted a Hearing before Borough Council, provided such person files with the Borough Council, within 10 days after notice of the Zoning/Code Enforcement Officer's decision, a written petition requesting such hearing and setting forth a brief statement of the grounds therefor. The hearing shall commence not later than 30 days after the date on which the petition was filed unless postponed for good cause.
B. 
After such hearing, the Borough Council shall sustain, modify or overrule the actions of the Zoning/Code Enforcement Officer of the Borough.
Any person who shall violate any provision of this article shall, upon conviction thereof, be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than $1,000, plus costs of prosecution, and, in default of payment of such fine and costs, to undergo imprisonment for a term not to exceed 30 days. Each day that a violation of this article continues shall constitute a separate offense.
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
The remedies provided herein for the enforcement of this article, or any remedy provided by law, shall not be deemed mutually exclusive; rather, they may be employed simultaneously or consecutively, at the option of the Borough Council.
[Adopted 4-18-2006 by Ord. No. 06-03]
A. 
Prohibitions. From and after the effective date of this article, it shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to allow or permit to remain upon any public or private grounds in the Borough of Dravosburg any abandoned or junked vehicles and/or automobiles, which are hereby declared to be public nuisances.
B. 
Definitions. Abandoned or junked vehicles shall mean any vehicle in such a state of disrepair as to be incapable of being moved under its own power, or in a dismantled condition, or without a current license plate, or without a current inspection sticker, which has not been moved or used for more than 48 hours; provided, however, the term shall not apply to any vehicle bearing a current license plate and/or current inspection sticker until the Police Department of the Borough of Dravosburg, or any police department or municipality contracted by the Borough of Dravosburg to provide police services or ordinance enforcement services, or Borough designee, has personally tagged the vehicle with an orange tag and/or has by personal service or by regular mail given notice to the registered owner of the vehicle stating that if the vehicle is not removed within 48 hours of the date of the notice it shall be deemed to be abandoned or junked.
[Amended 10-17-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-04]
C. 
Exception. Any vehicle or equipment used or to be used in construction or the operation or maintenance of public utility facilities and which is left in a manner which does not interfere with the normal movement of vehicular traffic shall not be considered abandoned vehicles for purposes of this article.
A. 
Vehicle towing notice on public property. Any vehicle determined to be abandoned or junked on public property and/or private property of the Borough of Dravosburg shall be posted with an orange towing notice indicating that, unless such vehicle is removed within 48 hours of the date of notification, the vehicle shall be towed and the owner shall be subject to a fine and costs of prosecution. Furthermore, the Borough of Dravosburg or any police department or municipality contracted by the Borough of Dravosburg to provide police services or ordinance enforcement service shall send to the owner or owners of the abandoned or junked vehicle, by personal service or by certified or registered mail notice, that the abandoned or junked vehicle has been towed and that the abandoned or junked vehicle must be claimed within 30 days of the date of the notice or the vehicle will be disposed of. Such owner shall be subject to towing, storage and other fines and costs of prosecution. Such written notice shall be sent to the owner's or owners' last known post office address.
B. 
Vehicle towing notice on private property. Any vehicle determined to be abandoned or junked on private property shall be posted with an orange towing notice indicating that, unless such vehicle is removed within 48 hours of the date of notice, the vehicle shall be towed and the owner shall be subject to a fine and costs of prosecution. Furthermore, the Borough of Dravosburg or any police department or municipality contracted by the Borough of Dravosburg to provide police services or ordinance enforcement services shall send to the owner or owners of the abandoned or junked vehicle, by personal service or by certified or registered mail, notice that the abandoned or junked vehicle must be removed within 48 hours of the date of the notice. Such written notice shall be sent to the owner's or owners' last known post office address.
Abandoned or junked vehicle removal. In the case of abandoned or junked vehicles on private property in the Borough of Dravosburg, if the abandoned or junked vehicle is not removed within 48 hours from the posting of the towing notice on the vehicle or the day of the written notification by the Borough of Dravosburg or any police department or municipality contracted by the Borough of Dravosburg to provide police services or ordinance enforcement services, the Borough of Dravosburg or its designated representative, or any police department or municipality contracted by the Borough of Dravosburg to provide police services or ordinance enforcement services, or its designated representative, shall send a written request to the Borough salvor, or the salvor of any police department or municipality contracted by the Borough of Dravosburg to provide police services or ordinance enforcement services, to take possession and tow the abandoned or junked vehicle to the salvor's storage facility. The owner of said abandoned or junked vehicle shall be subject to towing, storage and other fines and costs of prosecution.
Any person, firm or corporation violating any of the provisions of this article shall, upon conviction thereof, pay a fine of not more than $300 and, in default of the payment thereof, undergo imprisonment for a period not exceeding 10 days.