As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
AUTOMOBILE JUNKYARD
Any land used for the abandonment, demolition, dismantling, storage
or salvaging of three or more automobiles or other vehicles not in running
condition, machinery or parts thereof.
COMMON JUNKYARD
Any land used for the abandonment, storage, keeping, collecting,
baling or salvaging of paper, rags, scrap metals, other scrap or discarded
materials.
No person shall engage in the business of maintaining, operating, keeping
or conducting a common junkyard or automobile junkyard within the Township
of Washington, in the County of Gloucester, without first being licensed to
do so by the Township.
The Township Council, upon being satisfied as to the character and fitness
of the applicant, that the location of the proposed junkyard is within the
confines of this section, and that the proper assurances are given as to the
maintenance and safeguards in the operation of such business, shall order
the Township Clerk to issue such license upon receipt of the proper license
fee.
All licenses issued hereunder shall be effective from the date of issue
to July 1 of the next following year in which the license was issued.
The license issued shall be valid only to the name appearing on the
license and shall not be transferable either as to person or location.
All common junkyards and automobile junkyards, at all times, shall be
kept and maintained by the licensee in a safe and sightly manner, with due
regard to the public health, safety and welfare of persons and property in
the vicinity where the common junkyard or automobile junkyard is located.
Any member of the Board of Health, the Health Officer, the Chief of
Police or any authorized agent of the Township shall have the right at any
and all reasonable times to inspect any or all parts of the licensed premises.
The following requirements shall apply to all junkyards, whether automobile
junkyard or common junkyard:
A. Fences.
(1) The land upon which the junkyard is situated shall be
fenced with a continuous visual screening of fencing of metal, board, masonry
or other suitable opaque screening, of a minimum height of six feet around
the area where the business and activities of such junkyard are being conducted.
(2) All goods, articles, merchandise or motor vehicles must
be stored and kept within the enclosing fence, and not upon the sidewalk or
street, or any part thereof, and no material shall be piled or placed so as
to be visible above such fence.
B. Stacking. There shall be no stacking of vehicles one
upon the other. Other materials shall not be stacked or piled so as to reach
a height in excess of six feet from the ground.
C. Proximity of streams. The junkyard shall be maintained
so that any adjacent stream or body of water shall not be polluted or damaged
by the drainage or dumping of waste materials or substances therein.
D. Fire hazards. No material or refuse shall be collected,
accumulated or stored in such a manner that the same shall constitute a fire
hazard to the general public.
E. Burning. The burning of junk is hereby prohibited in
the Township, except as permitted under the laws of this state and the rules
and regulations duly adopted thereunder.
This chapter shall not, and shall not be construed to, permit the operation
of any junkyards within the Township, except those which are now legally operating
as a nonconforming use under a valid license for such use.
Violations of the provisions of this chapter shall be punishable as provided in Chapter
1, General Provisions, Article
I.