[Amended 9-17-1986 by Ord. No. 6-86; 12-5-2012 by Ord. No. 10-2012]
A. Word usage. When not inconsistent with the context, words used in
the present tense include the future tense; words used in the plural
number include the singular number; and words used in the singular
number include the plural number. The word "shall" is always mandatory
and not merely directory.
B. Definitions. For the purpose of this chapter, the following terms,
phrases, words and their derivations shall have the meanings given
herein:
ABANDONED MOTOR VEHICLES
Any motor vehicle, as defined by N.J.S.A. 39:1-1, which is
in a nonoperating condition and which is permitted to remain on any
property for 30 days, the owner of which has not taken any steps to
effect the repair or removal thereof, shall prima facie be deemed
to be abandoned.
BOROUGH
The Borough of Branchville, New Jersey.
OPERATING CONDITION
A motor vehicle shall be deemed to be in nonoperating condition
if said vehicle cannot be started under its own power at the request
of the Code Enforcement Officer or cannot be driven upon the highways
of the State of New Jersey by reason of its being in such condition
that it would not meet the motor vehicle inspection standards of the
State of New Jersey or the vehicle does not have a current valid New
Jersey State satisfactory inspection sticker and registration, if
one is required.
PRIVATE PREMISES
Any dwelling house, building or other structure designed
or used, whether wholly or in part, for private residential purposes,
whether inhabited or temporarily or continuously uninhabited or vacant,
and includes any yard, ground, walk, driveway, porch, steps or vestibule
belonging or appurtenant to such dwelling house, building or other
structure.
PUBLIC PLACE
Any street, sidewalk, alley or other public way and any and
all public parks, squares, grounds and buildings.
PUBLIC STRUCTURE OR BUILDING
Any structure or building owned or operated by the federal,
county or state government or any governmental agency.
[Amended 5-21-1986 by Ord. No. 4-86; 10-6-2021 by Ord. No. 07-2021]
Any enforcement official, police officer, or
person designated by the Borough to enforce its regulation is authorized
to remove any vehicle left at any place within the Borough which appears
to be present in violation of this section. Such a vehicle may be
impounded until lawfully claimed or disposed of in accordance with
applicable statutes. The enforcement official, police officer, or
other designated person shall notify the registered and legal owner,
in writing, by personal service or by certified mail, at the last
known address of the owner, of the removal of the vehicle. The vehicle
shall be retained and impounded until the owner or his authorized
agent pays the cost of such taking and removal, together with the
actual garage or storage charge for each day that the vehicle is retained
or impounded. This provision shall not be construed to require any
enforcement official, police officer, or other designated person to
impound any vehicle before a complaint in the Municipal Court can
be initiated against the person or persons believed to be in violation
of this chapter.