(a) Scope. This section is strictly limited to the establishment of minimum standards for the maintenance of non-motorized semi-trailers or other trailers parked outside and/or being used as stationary storage containers. No provisions of this section are, in any way, intended to interfere with or to limit the right of any owner or business to enjoy the legitimate, rightful or regular use of any type of trailers on properly zoned property.
(b) Purpose. The purpose of this section is to protect the public health, safety and welfare by establishing minimum standards governing the maintenance, appearance, location and exterior and interior condition of all semi-trailers or other trailers parked outside and/or being used as stationary storage containers on all premises throughout the City; to set certain responsibilities and duties upon owners, or managers of the same; to authorize and establish procedures for the exterior and interior inspection of said trailers; to fix penalties for violations of this section; and to provide for the repair or removal of trailers unfit for use. This section is hereby declared to be remedial and essential for the public interest.
(c) Findings; Declaration of Policy.
(1) It is hereby found and declared that there exists in the City various and several trailers being parked, stored or remaining idle for extended periods of time which are or may become in the future, deteriorated or defective with respect to exterior maintenance, or further that such condition, including but not limited to, structural deterioration, lack of maintenance and appearance of exterior of said trailers as well as the existence of interior fire hazards and unsanitary conditions, constitute an immediate threat to the health, safety, welfare and reasonable comfort of the residents and inhabitants of the City, especially children who may be drawn to play or congregate in or around these trailers which tend to be “attractive nuisances.”
(2) It is further found and declared that, by reason of lack of maintenance and progressive deterioration, the exterior appearance of certain trailers have the further effect of creating blighting conditions and initiating a depressed neighborhood, and that if the same are not curtailed and corrected, the conditions are likely to grow and spread and necessitate, in time, the expenditure of large amounts of public funds to correct and eliminate the same, and that by reason of timely regulations and restrictions as herein contained, the growth of such blight may be prevented and the immediate neighborhood and property values thereby maintained.
(d) Conflict of Laws. In any case where a provision of this section imposes a higher standard than that set forth in any other ordinance by the City or law of the State, then the standard set forth herein shall prevail, but if a prevision of this section imposes a lower standard than that imposed by any other ordinance of the City or law of the State, then the higher standard contained in any such other ordinance or law shall prevail.
(e) Enforcement. The enforcement of the provisions of this section is placed with the Office of the Zoning Inspector, and such officers as may be required, shall carry out and effectuate all of the provisions herein:
(1) Inspection. All trailers and their immediate surrounding premises within the City are subject to interior inspections by the Office of the Zoning Inspector, providing there is reasonable cause that a violation may exist. In addition, if upon said exterior inspection the Zoning Inspector has reasonable cause to suspect hazardous materials and/or unsanitary conditions exist in the interior of any trailer he or she may request the sanitarian of the City Health Department to exercise it’s police powers to conduct an interior inspection of any trailer to protect the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the City of Girard.
A. Where a violation of any provision of this section is found to exist, the Zoning Inspector shall cause a written notice of such violation to be served upon the person responsible for the correction thereof. The notice shall specify the violation committed and shall provide for a reasonable period of time, not more than sixty days, to correct or abate the violation. In the event that weather is a major consideration in correcting or abating a violation, the Zoning Administrator may extend the time set out herein to not more than sixty days immediately following the occurrence of appropriate weather conditions.
B. Notice may be served personally or by certified mail addressed to that last known address of the person to be served or by leaving a copy thereof at the usual residence of the person to be served. If the last known address cannot be ascertained, the notice shall be posted prominently on the outside of the trailer in alleged violation.
(2) No license or permit or other certification of compliance with this section shall constitute a defense against any violation of another local ordinance applicable to any structure or premises, nor shall any provision herein relieve any owner, manager or resident from complying with any such other provision, nor official of the City from enforcing any such other provision.
(f) General Exterior Maintenance Requirements.
(1) The exterior surfaces of all trailers within the City be the same functional or esthetic, shall be maintained in good repair. Any exterior part or feature thereof having functional use shall be capable of performing the use for which such part or feature was designed.
(2) The entire yard area in the immediate vicinity trailers within the City shall be maintained in a safe, clean and sanitary condition.
(g) Exterior Surfaces.
(1) All exterior surfaces of every trailer within the City shall be maintained so as to resist decay or deterioration from any naturally-occurring cause. All exterior surfaces shall be finished so as to prevent such decay or deterioration. An exterior wall segment, roof, facing or other distinguishable surface area determined by the Zoning Inspector to have more than twenty-five percentum (25%) of its total area bare, peeling, flaking, pitted, corroded, or otherwise deteriorated shall be surface-coated in its entirety. If the surface to be coated is a portion of a larger structure, such surface coating shall be compatible in color, texture and design with the entire structure. If the entire exterior surface of a structure is to be surface-coated, such surface coating shall be compatible in color, texture and design with similar structures in the immediate neighborhood.
(2) All deteriorated or decayed exterior walls, doors, steps, or parts or features thereof shall be repaired or replaced.
(3) All broken windows, flat tires, deteriorated or decayed moldings frame or trim thereof shall be repaired or replaced.
(h) Yard Area Maintenance.
(1) Exterior property areas of all premises where any such trailers are parked or stored shall be kept free of debris, objects, materials, or conditions that, in the opinion of the Zoning Inspector create a health, accident or fire hazard, or are a public nuisance, or constitute a blighting or deteriorating influence on the neighborhood. Broken glass, stumps, filth, garbage, trash and debris shall not be permitted on any property in or around trailers.
(2) Grass and weeds within the entire lawn area contiguous to all trailers within the City and extending up to and including the lot line in all directions shall be maintained, controlled, and cut so as not to exceed eight inches in height.
(i) Parking/Set Back Requirement. The parking and storage of all trailers shall be required to be situated a minimum distance of thirty feet from any public road to ensure traffic and pedestrian safety.
(j) Penalty.
(1) Whenever the person charged herein with the maintenance of a structure or premises fails to comply with any Final Order as provided in this section, the City shall institute appropriate action at law.
(2) Whoever violates any provision of this ordinance, or fails to comply with any Final Order as provided herein shall be, upon conviction of the same, guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. A separate offense shall be deemed committed each day on which a violation or non-compliance occurs or continues.
(3) Whoever violates the provisions of this ordinance, or fails to comply with any Final Order as provided herein, on more than one subject matter in any two year period separated and distinct from a conviction upon a prior subject matter on any continued daily violation of such prior subject matter, shall be, upon such subsequent conviction within two years, guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree. A separate offense on such subsequent subject matter within two years shall be deemed committed each day on which a violation or non-compliance occurs or continues.
(Ord. 6898-97. Passed 12-8-97.)