For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ABANDONED/JUNK VEHICLE.
(1) Any vehicle that has remained on private property without the consent of the owner, or person in control of that property, for more than 48 hours;
(2) A vehicle that is mechanically inoperable, or incapable, of movement by its own locomotion, and that is not being held for, or which is under, repair to be completed within the next 20 days; or
(3) Vehicles without a valid current state registration and license plate, and left on private property continuously in a location visible from public property for more than 20 days.
ACCUMULATE. As it pertains to junk and trash, any one of the following:
(1) Improperly collecting junk and trash in an inappropriate storage container; or
(2) Collecting junk and trash in an accumulation greater than three cubic yards.
COMPLAINT. Written communication on the county’s designated form, electronic or hard copy, to an enforcement agent addressing a violation of this chapter, setting forth the nature and location of the violation, and containing the written or electronic signature, and contact information, of the reporting individual. COMPLAINT forms shall be made available at the offices of enforcement agents and the County Auditor, as well as the county’s website.
COMPOST. The product produced by the process of composting vegetative matter and other types of organic material.
COMPOSTING. The biological treatment process by which microorganisms decompose the organic components of vegetative matter, and other types of organic material, under controlled conditions to produce a usable product.
COUNTY. The County of Dubois, State of Indiana.
GARBAGE. The animal or vegetable waste resulting from the handling, preparation, cooking, and consumption of food.
HEARING AUTHORITY. The County Board of Commissioners, or any person(s) designated as such by the Board, under the authority of I.C. 36-7-9-2.
HIGHWAY or ROAD. The portion of the state or county public highway, or road system, so designated on the General Highway and Transportation Map, as amended, which are maintained by the State Department of Transportation or the County Highway Department.
JUNK. Accumulation of combustible and non-combustible waste materials. The term shall include: paper; rags; tin; metals; residue from burning; household goods including, but not limited to, mattresses, furniture, major appliances, clothing, and other household items not intended for exposure to rain and other inclement weather. Trash is considered JUNK.
MOTOR VEHICLE GRAVEYARD. Any establishment, place of business, or parcel of real estate which is maintained, used, or operated for storing, or keeping, at any one time in excess of two non-operating, wrecked, scrapped, ruined, or dismantled motor vehicles, or parts thereof.
PERSON. Any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation, company, or organization of any kind.
PRIVATE PROPERTY. All privately-owned property which is not classified within the definition of public property.
PUBLIC PROPERTY. Any public right-of-way, street, highway, alley, park, or other state, county, or municipally-owned property.
REPORT. The same meaning as COMPLAINT.
SCRAP METAL PROCESSING FACILITY. An establishment having facilities for processing iron, steel, or non-ferrous metal, and whose principle product is scrap iron, steel, or scrap for sale for smelting purposes.
SECOND VIOLATION. A violation of this chapter that is committed by a person within 12 months of a previous violation.
SHERIFF. The duly-elected Sheriff, or a duly-appointed Deputy Sheriff, of the County Sheriff’s Department.
STANDARD CONTAINER. Sturdy, tied plastic bags, or durable metal, plastic, or similarly constructed container designed for the storage of trash. Food scraps, and other household garbage that attracts animals and/or rodents, must be placed in a vermin-proof and waterproof container with a tight-fitting lid.
SUBSTANTIAL PROPERTY INTEREST. Any right in real property that may be affected in a substantial way by actions authorized, or prohibited, in this chapter, including fee interest, a life estate interest, a mortgage interest, or an equitable interest of a contract purchaser.
TRASH. Anything worthless, useless, or discarded; rubbish. TRASH is considered junk.
VEHICLE. Any motor vehicle, such as an automobile, motorcycle, truck, trailer, semi-trailer, truck tractor, bus, school bus, motor home, recreational vehicle, house car, or motor bicycle.
VISIBLE. Capable of being seen from any public roadway, right-of-way, or public property, or from privately-held real property.
WEEDS. Any growth of vegetation, other than trees, bushes, shrubs, ornamental plants, or agricultural plants, cultivated in an orderly manner for the purpose of producing food and/or feed.
(Ord. 2019-01, passed 3-18-2019)