§ 15-302. Vehicle Weight Limits Established on Certain Streets and Bridges .

   1.   By authority of § 4902(a) of the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code, 53 P.S. § 4902(a), a maximum gross weight of 60,000 pounds is established for any vehicle or combination of vehicles using the Township designated streets in Part 2, § 15-201, of this Chapter. It shall be unlawful for any person or persons to drive any vehicle or combination of vehicles having a gross weight in excess of the maximum prescribed.

   2.   By authority of § 4902(a) of the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code, 75 Pa.C.S.A. § 4902(a), a maximum gross weight is established as follows for vehicles or combination of vehicles using the following named bridges. It shall be unlawful for any person or persons to drive any vehicle or combination of vehicles having a gross weight in excess of the maximum prescribed below for that bridge.

 

Bridge	Location	Maximum Gross Weight
[Reserved]

 

   3.   Any person who violates any portion of this Section shall be prosecuted under §§ 4902(a) and 4902(g-i) of the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code, 75 Pa.C.S.A. § 4902(a), (g-i), and upon conviction, shall be sentenced to pay a fine of $150 plus $150 for each 500 pounds, or part.

(Ord. 1993-12, 12/30/1993, § 302)

§ 15-303. Truck Traffic Restricted on Certain Roads and Streets.

   1.   A.   It shall be unlawful for any person to drive a vehicle other than a passenger vehicle, bus or Class 3 vehicle as described in §§ 1913 and 1916 of the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code, 75 Pa.C.S.A. § 1913, 1916, on any of the following streets or portions of street:

Street	Between
Abbott Street	Mill Street and South Main Street
Bailey Street	Carey Street and Abbott Street (excluding deliveries to residential homes)
Birchwood Hills	Entire Development
First Street	Scott Street (Wilkes-Barre) to Miner Street
Helen Street	South River Street and Maffett Street
Hemlock Street [Res. 2011-20]	Except local deliveries
Hudson Gardens	Entire Development
Ninotti Street [Res. 2011-20]	Except local deliveries
Riverview Terrace	North Main Street and Rose Avenue
Sarah Street [Res. 2011-20]	Except local deliveries

 

      B.   Provided, nothing in this Section shall prohibit any person from driving an emergency vehicle on any of those streets or portions of streets, or from driving on any of those streets or portions of streets a truck or other commercial vehicle making local deliveries to or pickups from premises located along that street or portion of street.

   2.   Any person who violates any provision of this Section shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to pay a fine of $250, plus costs.

(Ord. 1993-12, 12/30/1993, §303; as amended by Res. 2011-20, 9/9/2011; as amended by Ord. 2018-6, 8/9/2018)

§ 15-304. Parking, Stopping, Standing of Certain Vehicles Prohibited .

   1.   It is unlawful for any person to park, stop or let stand any vehicle having a gross weight of 7,001 pounds or more, and being registered Class 3 and above, between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. on any roadway in Plains Township.

   2.   Any person who violates this Section shall be guilty of a summary offense and, upon conviction, shall be sentenced to pay a fine of $25 and costs.

(Ord. 1993-12, 12/30/1993, § 304)

§ 15-305. Vehicle Size Restrictions .

   1.   Biscontini Distribution Centers, 175 South Main Street, Plains Township, Luzerne County, PA, is engaged in the business of storing, handling and transporting goods and merchandise.

   2.   It is necessary for Biscontini Distribution Centers to transport said merchandise to Biscontini Distribution Centers located at 175 South Main Street, Plains Township, Luzerne County, PA.

   3.   Both Biscontini Distribution Centers and its customers utilize trailers being 48 feet long by 102 inches wide and 53 feet long by 102 inches wide because these are now the common size trailers used in the trucking and distribution industry.

   A.   That the Plains Township Board of Commissioners do hereby grant to Biscontini Distribution Centers, 175 South Main Street, Plains Township, Luzerne County, PA, permission to use the above stated trailer types for ingress and egress to that certain section of South Main Street in Plains Township beginning with the border of Wilkes-Barre City and Plains Township up to the entrance to Biscontini Distribution Centers, 175 South Main Street, Plains Township, Luzerne County, PA, being a total distance of four-tenths of one mile.

   B.   That Plains Township Board of Commissioners thereby grant to Biscontini Distribution Centers, 175 South Main Street, Plains Township, Luzerne County, PA, permission to use the same sized trailers on Maffett Street beginning at the end of the Cross-Valley Expressway Exit Ramp (Exit 5) also known as Route 309-North and proceeding along Maffett Street to East Ann Street then along East Ann Street across South Main Street to Biscontini. Distribution Centers being a total distance of eight-tenths of one mile.

(Res. 1996-34, 6/13/1996)

§ 15-306. Restriction of Truck Traffic and Limits on Vehicle Weight on Posted Ways.

   1.   Purpose and authority. The purpose of this Section is for the restriction of truck traffic and to set limits on vehicle weight on posted ways. Also, this enacted Section will prevent damage to Township roads, streets and alleys which may be caused by vehicles of excessive weight; to lessen safety hazards and the risk of injury to the traveling public; to extend the life expectancy of the Township roads, streets and alleys; and to reduce the public expense of their repairs and maintenance. This Section is adopted pursuant to 75 Pa. C.S. 4902, et seq.

   2.   Definitions. For purposes of this Section, the following words shall have the following meanings. Any word that is not specifically defined herein shall have its ordinary, common meaning.

      Trailer–the attachment to the motor vehicle, when in combination with the said motor vehicle, or cab, shall total 30 feet or more. This shall also be meant to describe any large transport conveyance designed to be pulled by a truck, a tractor or other motor vehicle.

      Truck–any large commercial motor vehicle which is, or maybe, used for attaching or pulling a trailer. This term shall also refer to any large commercial motor vehicle, dump truck, tri-axle vehicle, tractor trailer, and/or any heavy motor vehicle designed for carrying or pulling heavy loads.

      Truck trailer–any motor vehicle which attaches to a trailer and which is primarily used for the transportation of materials, and which, when in combination, or on their own, total 30 feet or more. This term is commonly referred to as a “tractor trailer” or any “18 wheel” vehicle. This term is not meant to include vehicles which are making local deliveries in permitted areas.

   3.   Restrictions.

      A.   No person shall operate, move or park a truck tractor or trailer or tri-axle dump truck on any road, street or alley owned and maintained by the Township of Plains for which restrictions for operating truck traffic is posted by the Township, except as provided in Subsection D. below.

      B.   The operation, moving or parking of such vehicles are not intended to restrict the use of these vehicles on roads, streets or alleys in a commercial or industrial zone area of the Township wherein such roads, streets, or alleys lie wholly with that zone.

      C.   No motor vehicle, with a total length, including any attachment thereto (e.g., trailer) of 30 feet and/or any vehicle or combination vehicle registered for a gross weight of 23,000 pounds, shall be prohibited from use on Sunset Drive or any other Township road, street or alley as determined by the Township of Plains Commissioners.

      D.   Nothing in this Section shall be intended to prohibit the following trucks, trailers, or motor vehicles, and are therefore exempt:

         (1)   School buses;

         (2)   Emergency vehicles;

         (3)   Commercial vehicles for home deliveries;

         (4)   Garage and/or refuse trucks owned by the Township or operating on behalf of the Township;

         (5)   Local municipal or state motor vehicles or those trucks, trailers or a combination thereof that may be authorized by the Township for maintenance of the public roads or appurtenances thereto.

   4.   Erection of signs and enforcement. The Township of Plains shall erect, or cause to be erected and maintained, traffic signs designating the restrictions set forth in this Section. The Township of Plains Police Department, pursuant to any and all legislative authority, is confirmed as having full regulatory powers to enforce all provisions of the Vehicle Code and all provisions of this Section, according to, and as permitted by, the terms and provisions of said Vehicle Code and this Section.

   5.   Violations and penalties. Any persons operating a truck, trailer, combination truck or motor vehicle upon Sunset Drive in the Township of Plains or any other Township road, street or alley posted restricting such vehicles as imposed under this Section shall be guilty of a summary offense and shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to pay a fine of not less than $100, nor more than $500, and in default of payment may result in imprisonment for a term not to exceed 30 days.

(Ord. 2-2023, 4/13/2023)

Part 4 Stopping, Standing and Parking

§ 15-401. Parking Prohibited at All Times in Certain Locations .

   1.   Parking shall be prohibited at all times in the following locations:

   A.   On any roadway or edge of any curb line.

   B.   On any sidewalk.

   C.   Within an intersection.

   D.   Within a crosswalk.

   E.   Alongside or opposite any street excavation.

   F.   At any place where official signs and/or markings prohibit parking.

   G.   At any place that would hinder the free flow of traffic.

Street	Side	Between
Abbott Street [Res. 2010-6]	North	From South Main Street to Mill Street
Abbott Street [Res. 1997-20]	South	From a point 20 feet west of the intersection of Abbott Street and Stadium Alley along the entire length of the front of the new elementary school
Amesbury Street	Both Sides	South Main to Maffett Street
Amesbury Street [Ord. 1996-6]	East	Wyoming Street to north corner of Township Park
Bailey Street	East	Entire Street
Bank Street [Res. 2009-19]	South	From Hudson Road to the alley behind SS Peter and Paul School
Bank Street	South	Entire Street
Bowl Complex Road [Ord. 1998-3]	Both	Beginning at the vehicle gate, south for the entire length of road.
Brader Street [Res. 1997-4]	North
Brader Street [Ord. 1997-2]	West	North from intersection with Powell Street for 41 feet.
Center Street [Res. 1997-3]	North	West of the intersection with North Street for a distance of 20 feet from the intersection
Center Street [Ord. 1997-2]	North	West from intersection with North Street for 25 feet.
Clark Lane [Res. 1997-21]	Both	The entire length of the service road(s) south of the entrance gate for those fields and facilities located in the lower level (pit) of the park
Clark Lane [Res. 1997-21]	Both	The main entrance road online from the rear of the Jescavage property, east to the paved pedestrian crosswalk
Clark Lane [Ord. 1998-3]	Both	Beginning at east side of intersection of Clark Lane and South Beech Road East to first pedestrian crosswalk inside Birchwood Municipal Park.
Cleveland Street [Ord. 1996-6]	South	Entire length fronting Township Park
Cook Street	North	Entire Street
Cottage Avenue	North	Entire Street
Courtright Street [Res. 2009-7]	South	The entrance of River Ridge Development-Hollywood Drive to house number 83-85-87 Courtright Street
Diana Street	South	Entire Street
Dingwall Street [Res. 1997-3]	West	South of the intersection with Amesbury Street for a distance of 20 feet from the intersection
Dingwall Street [Ord. 1997-2]	West	South from the intersection with Amesbury Street for 22 feet
Driftwood Street	South	Entire Street
East Ann Street [Res. 1995-22]	North	30 feet of the stop sign, 30 feet of South Main Street, 20 feet of the alley
East Ann Street [Res. 1995-22]	South	30 feet of the stop sign, 30 feet of Maffett Street, 20 fee of the alley
East Carey Street	South	Entire Street
East Charles Street	Both Sides	Entire Street
East Main Street	Both Sides	Entire Street
East Mountain Drive	Both Sides	Entire Street
Farrell Lane	North	Entire Street
Farrell Lane	South	Entire Street
Gouge Street	West	Entire Street
Harriet Street	North	Entire Street
Helen Street	South	Entire Street
Hudson Road [Ord. 1996-6]	West	William Street to Crow Alley
Jones Street	South	Entire Street
Laurel Street [Res. 2001-10]	North
Maffett Street	Both Sides	Mercer Street to Ann Street
Maffett Street	West	Entire Street
Main Street (SR 2024) [Ord. 2009-10]	North	Approximately 100 feet south of Main Street’s intersection with West Carey Street
Main Street (SR 2024) [Ord. 2009-10]	North	Approximately 325 feet south of Main Street’s intersection with West Carey Street
Main Street (SR 2024) [Ord. 2009-10]	South	Approximately 325 feet South of Main Street’s intersection with West Carey Street
Martin Street	Both Sides	Entire Street
McCullough Street	North	Entire Street
Michelle Street [Res. 2005-14]	East
Mill Street	East	Entire Street
Mill Street	West	Entire Street
Miner Street	South	Entire Street
New Street	North	Cotton to Tulip
New Street	South	Tulip to Garden
North Main Street	Both Sides	Carey Street to East Saylor Avenue
North Street [Ord. 1997-2]	East	South from the intersection with Cleveland Street for 172 feet
North Street [Ord. 1997-2]	West	North from intersection with Center Street for 20 feet.
Oak Street	Both Sides	Miner to Stark
Perkins Street	East	Entire Street
Poplar Street	Both Sides	Entire Street
Powell Street	East	100 feet
Powell Street [Ord. 1997-2]	North	West from intersection with Brader Street for 24 feet
Powell Street [Res. 1997-4]	West
Railroad Street	Both Sides	Entire Street
Ridgewood Road	Both Sides	Entire Street
School Street	West	Entire Street
Short Gouge Street	North	Entire Street
South Main Street	East	Entire Street
South Main Street	West	Entire Street
St. Mary Street	West	Entire Street
Stadium Alley	East	Entire Street
Stadium Alley	West	Entire Street
Stark Street	North	Entire Street
Stark Street [Ord. 1996-6]	South	15 feet East of driveway at 55 Stark Street to 15 feet West of driveway at 55 Stark Street
Stocker Street	West	Entire Street
Union Street [Ord. 1996-6]	Both sides	C&P Railroad tracks to Laflin Borough boundary
West Ann Street	North	Entire Street
Westminster Road (SR 2039) [Ord. 2014-4]*	North and West	From the PP&L right-of-way along Pennsylvania American Water land to the northerly side of Jumper Road (SR 2020) to lands of Michael J. Pasonick, Jr. a distance of 1,745 feet more or less
Westminster Road (SR 2039) [Ord. 2014-4]*	South	From the lands of Thomas Bowman a distance of 647 feet more or less along Westminister Road to a one lane tunnel
Westminster Road (SR 2039) [Ord. 2014-4]*	West	Along the south side of Jumper Road (SR 2020) to the lands of the Pennsylvania American Water driveway off of Jumper Road a distance of 1,304 feet more or less
Wyoming Street [Ord. 1996-6]	Both sides	Entire Street

 

   2.   Any person who violates any provision of this Section shall, upon conviction be sentenced to pay a fine of $50 plus costs. [Ord. 2009-10]

   3.   *Any person who violates disobeys or refuses to comply with Ord. 2014-4 shall be guilty of a summary offense and upon conviction shall be fined not less than $50 or more than $300. [Ord. 2014-4]

(Ord. 1993-12, 12/30/1993, § 401; as amended by Res. 1995-16, 8/18/1995; by Res. 1995-22, 11/16/1995; by Res. 1996-37, 10/10/1996; by Ord. 1996-6, 11/14/1996, § 1; by Ord. 1997-2, 6/12/1997, § 1; by Res. 1997-3, 2/13/1997; by Res. 1997-4, 2/13/1997; by Res. 1997-20, 8/14/1997; by Res. 1997-21, 8/14/1997; by Ord. 1998-3, 5/14/1998, § 1; by Res. 2001-10, 11/8/2001; by Res. 2005-13, –/–/2005; by Res. 2005-14, 12/8/2005; by Res. 2009-7, 5/14/2009; by Res. 2009-19, 8/13/2009; by Ord. 2009-10, 9/10/2009, Articles 1 and 2; and by Res. 2010-6, 5/14/2010; and by Ord. 2014-4, 8/4-2014)