[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Council of
the Town of West Hartford 10-27-1998; amended in its entirety 11-14-2000. Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
For the purposes of this chapter, the following
terms, phrases, words and their derivations shall have the meanings
given herein:
Any contrivance now known or hereafter invented, used or
designed for navigation or for flight in the air. The word "aircraft"
shall include helicopters and lighter-than-air dirigibles and balloons.
A litter storage and collection receptacle as authorized
by the Director of Public Works.
A fixed construction with walls, foundation and roof, such
as a house, factory or garage, which is either vacant or used for
any type of occupancy or use.
Any metal garbage, rubbish and/or refuse container which
is equipped with fittings for hydraulic and/or mechanical emptying,
unloading and/or removal.
Any printed or written matter, any sample or device, dodger,
circular, leaflet, pamphlet, paper, booklet or any other printed or
otherwise reproduced original or copies of any matter of literature,
which:
Advertises for sale any merchandise, product,
commodity or thing;
Directs attention to any business, mercantile
or commercial establishment or other activity for the purpose of either
directly or indirectly promoting the interest thereof by sales;
Directs attention to or advertises any meeting,
theatrical performance, exhibition or event of any kind for which
an admission fee is charged for the purpose of private gain or profit;
but the terms of this subsection shall not apply where an admission
fee is charged or a collection is taken up for the purpose of defraying
the expenses incident to such meeting, theatrical performance, exhibition
or event of any kind, when either of the same is held, given or takes
place in connection with the dissemination of information which is
not restricted under the ordinary rules of decency, good morals, public
peace, safety and good order, provided that nothing contained in this
subsection shall be deemed to authorize the holding, giving or taking
place of any meeting, theatrical performance, exhibition or event
of any kind without a license where such license is or may be required
by any law of this state or under any ordinance of this Town; or
While containing reading matter other than advertising
matter, is predominantly and essentially an advertisement and is distributed
or circulated for advertising purposes or for the private benefit
and gain of any person so engaged as advertiser or distributor.
A house or building, or portion thereof, or any enclosed
space wholly or partly used or intended to be used for living, sleeping,
cooking and/or eating by one or more families or households, provided
that temporary housing, as hereinafter defined, shall not be classified
as a dwelling. Industrialized housing and modular construction which
conform to nationally accepted industry standards and are used or
intended for use for living, sleeping, cooking and eating purposes
shall be classified as dwellings.
A dwelling, or portion thereof, forming a single habitable
unit with facilities used or intended to be used for living, sleeping,
cooking and/or eating purposes.
Putrescible animal and vegetable wastes resulting from the
handling, preparation, cooking and consumption of food.
Any letters, numbers, word or words, writings or inscriptions,
symbols, drawings, carvings, stickers, etchings or any other marking
of any nature whatsoever which defaces, obliterates, covers, alters,
damages or destroys the real or personal property of another. This
chapter shall not be construed to prohibit easily removable chalk
markings on public sidewalks and streets used in connection with traditional
children's games.
Garbage, refuse and rubbish, as defined in this section,
and all other waste material which, if thrown or deposited as herein
prohibited, tends to create a danger to public health, safety and
welfare. Litter shall not include clean excavated earth, unless the
same may be objectionable by reason of dust or foul odors, or fill
material approved by the Director of Community Development. Litter
shall not include sand, salt or other appropriate chemicals upon any
icy or slippery condition.
[Amended 10-7-2019]
Any vehicle which is propelled or drawn by any power other
than muscular, suitable for the conveyance, drawing or other transportation
of persons or property, whether operated on wheels, runners, a cushion
of air between it and the surface or by other means, except those
used exclusively upon tracks.
Any newspaper of general circulation as defined by general
law, any newspaper duly entered with the United States Postal Service
in accordance with federal statute or regulation and any newspaper
filed and recorded with any recording officer as provided by general
law and, in addition thereto, includes any periodical or current magazine
regularly published with not less than four issues per year and sold
to the public.
Any printed or written matter, any sample, device, dodger,
circular, leaflet, pamphlet, newspaper, magazine, paper, booklet or
any other printed or otherwise reproduced original or copies of any
matter of literature not included in the aforesaid definitions of
a "commercial handbill" or "newspaper."
Any individual, over one year of age, living, sleeping, cooking
or eating in or having possession of a dwelling unit or a rooming
unit, except that in dwelling units a guest shall not be considered
an occupant.
Any person who, alone or jointly or severally with others,
shall have:
Legal title to any premises, dwelling or dwelling
unit, with or without accompanying actual possession thereof; or
Charge, care or control of any premises, dwelling
or dwelling unit, as owner or agent of the owner, or an executor,
administrator, trustee or guardian of the estate of the owner. Any
such person thus representing the actual owner shall be bound to comply
with the provisions of this chapter and of rules and regulations adopted
pursuant thereto to the same extent as if he or she were the owner.
A park, reservation, playground, beach, recreation center
or any other public area in the Town owned or used by the Town and
devoted to active or passive recreation.
A platted lot or part thereof or unplatted lot or parcel
of land or plot of land, either occupied or unoccupied by any dwelling
or nondwelling structure, and includes any such building, accessory
structure or other structure thereon, or any part thereof. The term
"premises," where the context requires, shall be deemed to include
any and all buildings, dwellings, parcels of land or structures contained
within the scope of this chapter.
Any dwelling, house, building or other structure, designed
or used, either wholly or in part, for private residential purposes,
whether inhabited or temporarily or continuously uninhabited or vacant,
and shall include any yard, grounds, walk, driveway, porch, steps,
vestibule or mailbox belonging or appurtenant to such dwelling, house,
building or other structure.
Any and all streets, highways and boulevards, alleys or other
publicly owned or controlled ways and any and all publicly owned or
controlled parks, squares, spaces, grounds and buildings.
All putrescible and nonputrescible solid wastes (except body
wastes), including garbage, rubbish, ashes, street cleanings, dead
animals, abandoned automobiles and shopping carts and solid market
and industrial wastes.
Any container that is constructed of metal or other durable
material impervious to rodents and that is capable of being serviced
without hydraulic and/or mechanical emptying, unloading and/or removal,
or such other containers as have been approved by the appropriate
authority.
Any conditions or place where rodents can lie, nest or seek
shelter.
Nonputrescible solid wastes consisting of both combustible
and noncombustible wastes, such as paper, wrappings, cigarettes, cardboard,
tin cans, yard clippings, leaves, wood, glass, bedding, crockery and
similar materials, but shall not include properly maintained compost.
That which has been or is built or constructed and which
is or should be fastened, anchored or attached to or which rests on
a building, foundation or on the ground, including any buildings,
fences, fire escapes, railings, towers, sidewalks or stairways.
Every device in, upon or by which any person or property
is or may be transported or drawn upon a highway, including devices
used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks.
In addition to any other prohibitions of various
forms of littering contained in this chapter, no person shall throw
or deposit litter on any exterior portion of property occupied by
a business or in or upon any street, sidewalk or other public place
within the Town, except in public receptacles for collection or in
official Town dumps.
Persons placing litter in public receptacles
or in authorized private receptacles shall do so in such a manner
as to prevent it from being carried or deposited by the elements upon
any street, sidewalk or other public place or upon private property.
No person shall sweep into or deposit in any
gutter, street or other public place within the Town the accumulation
of litter from any building, place of business, lot or from any public
or private sidewalk or driveway.
Persons owning or occupying property or places
of business within the Town shall keep the sidewalk in front of their
property or business premises free of litter.
No person while a driver or passenger in a vehicle
shall throw or deposit litter upon any street or other public place
within the Town or upon private property.
No person shall drive or move any truck or other
vehicle within the Town unless such vehicle is so constructed or loaded
so as to prevent any load, contents or litter from being blown or
deposited upon any street, alley or other public place, nor shall
any person drive or move any vehicle or truck within the Town, the
wheels or tires of which carry onto or deposit in any street, alley
or other public place mud, dirt, sticky substances, litter or foreign
matter of any kind; provided, however, that this restriction shall
not apply to the owner or operator of any vehicle or truck who has
received prior written approval from the Director of Public Works
as to methods and frequency of cleanup.
No person shall throw or deposit litter in any
park within the Town except in public receptacles and in such manner
that the litter will be prevented from being carried or deposited
by the elements upon any part of the park or upon any street or other
public place. Where public receptacles are not provided, all such
litter shall be carried away from the park by the person responsible
for its presence and shall be properly disposed of elsewhere as provided
herein.
No person shall throw or deposit litter in any
fountain, pond, lake, stream or any other body of water in a park
or elsewhere within the Town.
No person shall throw or deposit any commercial
or noncommercial handbill in or upon any sidewalk, street or other
public place within the Town, nor shall any person hand out or distribute
or sell any commercial handbill in any public place; provided, however,
that it shall not be unlawful on any sidewalk, street or other public
place within the Town for any person to hand out or distribute, without
charge to the receiver thereof, any noncommercial handbill to any
person willing to accept it.
No person shall throw or deposit any commercial
or noncommercial handbill in or upon any vehicle; provided, however,
that it shall not be unlawful in any public place for a person to
hand out or distribute, without charge to the receiver thereof, a
noncommercial handbill to any occupant of a vehicle who is willing
to accept it.
No person shall throw or deposit any commercial
or noncommercial handbill in or upon any private premises which are
temporarily or continuously uninhabited or vacant.
No person shall throw, deposit or distribute
any commercial or noncommercial handbill upon any private premises
if requested by anyone thereon not to do so or if there is placed
on said premises in a conspicuous position near the entrance thereof
a sign bearing the words "No Trespassing," "No Peddlers or Agents,"
"No Advertisement" or any similar notice, indicating in any manner
that the occupants of said premises do not desire to be molested or
have their right of privacy disturbed or to have any such handbills
left upon such premises.
A.
No person shall throw, deposit or distribute any commercial or noncommercial handbill in or upon private premises which are inhabited, except by handing or transmitting any such handbill directly to the owner, occupant or other person then present in or upon such private premises; provided, however, that, in the case of inhabited private premises which are not posted, as provided in § 115-13, such person, unless requested by anyone upon such premises not to do so, may place or deposit any such handbill in or upon such inhabited private premises if such handbill is so placed or deposited as to secure or prevent such handbill from being blown or drifted about such premises or sidewalks, streets or other public places, and except that mailboxes may not be so used when so prohibited by federal postal law or regulations.
B.
The provisions of Subsection A shall not apply to the distribution of mail by the United States nor to newspapers as defined in this chapter, except that newspapers shall be placed on private property in such a manner as to prevent their being carried or deposited by the elements upon any street, sidewalk or other public place or upon private property.
No person in any aircraft shall throw out, drop
or deposit within the Town any litter, handbill or any other object.
No person shall post or affix any notice, poster
or other paper or device calculated to attract the attention of the
public to any lamppost, public utility pole or shade tree or upon
any public structure or building except as may be authorized or required
by law.
No person shall throw or deposit litter on any
occupied private property within the Town, whether owned by such person
or not, except that the owner or person in control of private property
may maintain authorized private receptacles for collection in such
a manner that litter will be prevented from being carried or deposited
by the elements upon any street, sidewalk or other public place or
upon any private property.
The owner or person in control of any property
shall, at all times, maintain the premises free of litter; provided,
however, that this section shall not prohibit the storage of litter
in authorized private receptacles for collection.
No person shall throw or deposit litter on any
open or vacant private property within the Town, whether owned by
such person or not.
[Amended 2-28-2006]
A.
Bulk storage containers which are used for the storage
of garbage, refuse, rubbish, litter and/or other waste material shall:
(1)
Be placed on paved surfaces which have proper drainage,
and such surfaces are to be maintained free of garbage, refuse, rubbish
and litter.
(2)
Be maintained in a clean and sanitary manner.
(3)
Be watertight, rodentproof, insectproof and structurally
strong and sound and not allow leakage of their contents.
(4)
Be equipped with tight-fitting lids which shall be
kept closed at all times.
(5)
Have a capacity sufficient to meet the needs of the
occupants of each premises served thereby.
B.
All refuse containers used for the storage of garbage,
refuse, rubbish, litter and/or other waste material shall be:
C.
Each dwelling unit shall be provided with a minimum
of two twenty-gallon refuse containers or refuse containers of such
additional capacity as necessary to store the refuse accumulated by
the occupants of each dwelling unit between regular collections.
D.
Plastic bags may be used as refuse container liners
but shall not be used for unprotected storage of garbage, refuse or
rubbish out-of-doors without being placed in a refuse or bulk container
as defined by this Code. Plastic bags not placed in a refuse or bulk
container as defined by this Code and containing garbage, refuse or
rubbish, not including leaves, grass clippings and hedge trimmings,
which are outside of any structure more than 24 hours before or after
the collection day shall be considered in violation of this section.
E.
All bulk containers, refuse containers and bulk refuse
or rubbish not in containers shall be located and maintained so as
to:
(1)
Be placed in a location in back of the building line
except during the seventy-two-hour period commencing with the day
before and ending with the day after the regularly scheduled refuse
collection day for the dwelling in question.
(2)
Be placed in a location which shall be as far away
as practicable from any adjacent dwelling unit.
(3)
Take all practicable measures, including, without
limitation, cleaning the containers in the surrounding areas and eliminating
odors, to minimize the noise and odor affecting the surrounding premises
and to prevent interference with the health and safety of the occupants
of the premises or of adjacent premises.
A.
It shall be the responsibility of each occupant residing
in a one-, two- or three-family dwelling to provide bulk or refuse
containers for the sanitary and safe storage and disposal of rubbish,
garbage and litter.
B.
It shall be the responsibility of each owner of any
building, structure or dwelling arranged for four or more families
to provide bulk or refuse containers for the sanitary and safe storage
of rubbish, garbage and litter and to provide for the removal and
legal disposal of such rubbish, garbage and litter.
C.
Every occupant of a premises shall maintain, store
and dispose of all rubbish, garbage and litter in a clean, sanitary
and safe manner that shall prevent the spread of disease, the infestation
of the structure and premises and rodent and rat harborage and shall
dispose of such rubbish, garbage and litter by placing it in the bulk
containers or refuse containers required by this Code.
D.
The owner and every occupant of a premises shall be
responsible for closing and keeping closed all covers of bulk or refuse
containers required by this code.
E.
No owner or occupant of a premises shall store, place
or allow to accumulate any refuse, garbage, rubbish, litter or any
other material which may serve as food for rats, rodents or other
pests or provide harborage in or about any premises.
[Amended 2-5-2002]
A.
The growth and maintenance of all landscaping on any
premises, including, but not limited to, shrubs, hedges, grass and
plants, shall:
(1)
Not unreasonably hinder the use of adjacent properties.
(2)
Not block or interfere with the use of any public
sidewalk and/or public or private street or right-of-way or obstruct
the sighting of any road sign.
(3)
Not obstruct utility lines or other cables to and
around the premises.
(4)
Be maintained so as not to extend or infringe beyond
the boundaries of the property.
B.
No owner or occupant of any premises shall permit
grass, weeds or similar growths to reach a height greater than one
foot on any premises with a building or dwelling located thereon,
whether said building or dwelling is occupied or not. Nor shall the
owner of any undeveloped premises allow any grass, weeds or similar
growths thereon greater than one foot in height to remain thereon
within 25 feet of a street line or any adjoining property line of
any premises with a building or dwelling located thereon, whether
said building or dwelling is occupied or not.
C.
Permitting grass or weeds or similar growths to grow
to a greater height than six inches in any portion of that land lying
between a fence or property line and the curbline or otherwise permitting
weeds or similar growths to grow to a greater height than one foot
or permitting grass to grow to a greater height than one foot, unless
such grass is to be harvested, or permitting any wood or other plant
which, in the opinion of the Director of Health, may cause or aggravate
hay fever or similar conditions to grow or remain on any land fronting
on a macadamized or paved street within the limits of the Town or
on any interior lot bounded on three or more sides by land fronting
on any such street or permitting dirt or other materials to remain
on any sidewalk is prohibited.
Permitting any poison ivy, poison sumac or other
poisonous vegetation to grow or remain on any property within 25 feet
of a street line or any adjoining property line is prohibited.
The owner, agent of the owner or occupant of
premises bordering on any street or public place within the Town where
there is an established sidewalk shall cause to be removed therefrom
any and all snow and ice within 12 hours after the same shall have
fallen or formed or within 12 hours after sunrise when the same shall
have fallen or formed in the night season. When it is impracticable
to remove ice, the sidewalk shall be made safe and convenient for
travel by covering with sand or some other suitable substance.
B.
Notwithstanding the provisions of C.G.S. § 13a-149
or any other general statute or special act, the Town of West Hartford
shall not be liable to any person injured in person or property caused
by the presence of ice or snow on a public sidewalk unless the Town
of West Hartford is the owner or person in possession and control
of land abutting such sidewalk, other than land used as a highway
or street, provided that the Town of West Hartford shall be liable
for its affirmative acts with respect to such sidewalk.
C.
Responsibility of owners and abutters.
(1)
The owner or person in possession and control of land
abutting a public sidewalk shall have the same duty of care with respect
to the presence of ice or snow on such sidewalk toward the portion
of the sidewalk abutting the owner's property as the municipality
had prior to the effective date of this chapter and shall be liable
to persons injured in person or property where a breach of said duty
is the proximate cause of said injury.
(2)
No action to recover damages for injury to the person
or to property caused by the presence of ice or snow on a public sidewalk
against a person who owns or is in possession and control of land
abutting a public sidewalk shall be brought but within two years from
the date when the injury is first sustained.
A.
If any dog shall defecate upon any property or area,
as hereinafter defined, then the owner, keeper and person then walking
or otherwise in charge of said dog shall immediately remove or cause
to be removed from said property or area all feces so deposited by
said dog. Unless said feces are removed the owner, keeper and the
person then walking or otherwise in charge of said dog (or if said
owner, keeper or person shall be a minor, then the parent or guardian)
shall each be deemed to have committed a punishable offense.
B.
PROPERTY or AREA
As used in this section, the following terms shall
have the meanings indicated:
Any public property or the common areas of any privately
owned property or any private property owned or occupied by any person
or persons who are not members of the family of the owner or keeper
of or the person then walking or otherwise in charge of the dog.
C.
The provisions of this section shall not apply to
a guide dog accompanying any blind person.
All fences shall:
A.
Notice to remove. The Town Manager or authorized representative
is hereby authorized and empowered to notify the owner of any open
or vacant private property within the Town, or the agent of such owner,
to properly dispose of litter located on such owner's property which
is dangerous to public health, safety or welfare. Such notice shall
be by registered mail, addressed to said owner at his or her last
known address.
B.
Action upon noncompliance. Upon the failure, neglect or refusal of any owner or agent so notified to properly dispose of litter dangerous to the public health, safety or welfare within five days after receipt of the written notice provided for in Subsection A above or within five days after the date of such notice in the event that the same is returned to the post office because of its inability to make delivery thereof, provided that the same was properly addressed to the last known address of such owner or agent, the Town Manager or authorized representative is hereby authorized and empowered to pay for the disposing of such litter or to order its disposal by the Town.
C.
Recorded statement constitutes lien. Upon completion
of such work, the Town Manager or authorized representative shall
determine the reasonable cost thereof and bill the owner or agent
therefor. Upon failure of the owner or agent to remit to the Town
the amount of such charge within 30 days from the date of such notice,
the Town Manager or authorized representative, within 90 days from
the date of such notice, shall cause to be recorded in the land records
of the Town a sworn statement showing the cost and expense incurred
for the work, the date the work was done and the location of the property
on which said work was done. The recordation of such sworn statement
shall constitute a lien and privilege on the property and shall remain
in full force and effect for the amount due in principal and legal
interest, plus costs of court, if any, for collection, until final
payment has been made. Sworn statements recorded in accordance with
the provisions hereof shall be prima facie evidence that all work
has been done properly and satisfactorily and shall be full notice
to every person concerned that the amount of the statement, plus interest,
constitutes a charge against the property designated or described
in the statement and that the same is due and collectible as provided
by law. Said lien shall be of the same effect and may be foreclosed
in the same manner as a tax lien. An appeal from any final action
taken pursuant to this section may be taken in accordance with Chapter
IX, Section 4, of the Town Charter.
No person shall permit graffiti to remain on
any commercial or industrial property for a period of more than 72
hours after notification by the Town Manager or his or her designee.
It shall be the duty of the Town Manager or
designee to enforce the provisions of this chapter and any rules or
regulations promulgated under this chapter.
Violation of any provision of this chapter or failure to obey any order by any proper officer made under this chapter shall be punished by a fine pursuant to § 1-8 of this Code of Ordinances or as specifically stated in this chapter. Each day that any such violation shall continue shall constitute a separate offense. The imposition of any fine hereunder shall not prevent the enforced abatement of any unlawful condition by the Town. Any citation issued pursuant to this chapter shall be subject to the appeal provisions contained in § 1-10 of this Code of Ordinances.
