[Amended 1-25-2021 by Ord. No. 7-2021]
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this Part, shall be defined as follows, unless context clearly indicates otherwise:
DEBRIS - Any material upon the premises that is a residue of structural demolition, or any other material that is not neatly stored, stacked or piled in such a manner so as not to create a nuisance or become a harboring place or food supply for insects and rodents.
HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE (HHW) - See Chapter 496-201, “Solid Waste.”
ILLEGAL DUMPING - The unauthorized depositing, placing, throwing or dumping of solid waste or recyclable materials on public or private property or at any location other than a permitted disposal or processing facility.
INDOOR FURNITURE - Any and all pieces of furniture which are made for only inside use including, but not limited to, upholstered chairs and sofas, etc.
JUNKED VEHICLE -
A. Any vehicle which presents a hazard or danger to the public or is a public nuisance by virtue of its state or condition of disrepair.
B. The following conditions, if present, are examples of a state or condition of disrepair:
(1) Rusted and/or jagged metal on or protruding from the body of the vehicle.
(2) Broken glass or windows on or in the vehicle.
(3) Leaking of any fluids from the vehicle or deflated or flat tire(s).
(4) Unsecured and/or unlocked doors, hood or trunk.
(5) Storage or placement of the vehicle in an unbalanced condition, on concrete blocks or other similar apparatus.
(6) Harboring of rodents, insects or other pests.
C. The foregoing examples are not inclusive of all conditions which may constitute a state or condition of disrepair. See also "motor vehicle nuisance."
LITTER - Any solid waste or recyclable material improperly discarded, deposited, or abandoned. Litter can be intentional or unintentional. It can come from a person, vehicle, or other source. Litter can occur anywhere but is often found on streets, sidewalks, in parks, and near abandoned properties or empty lots.
LITTER RECEPTACLE - A permanent or semi-permanent receptacle placed on public or private property for the purpose of preventing litter by collecting small amounts of waste material from passersby.
LOCAL RESPONSIBLE AGENT - Any person residing or working within the County of Berks designated to accept service on behalf of a legal owner or operator of a rental dwelling unit.
MOBILE VENDOR - A vendor or seller of food and/or goods from a vehicle or other conveyance upon the public streets or alleys of the City that does not typically remain stationary for more than approximately 10 minutes each hour.
MOTOR VEHICLE - Any type of mechanical device, capable or at one time capable of being propelled by a motor, in which persons or property may be transported upon public streets or highways, and including trailers or semitrailers pulled thereby.
MOTOR VEHICLE NUISANCE - A motor vehicle with one or more of the following defects:
A. Broken windshields, mirrors or other glass, with sharp edges.
B. Broken headlamps, tail lamps, bumpers or grills with sharp edges.
C. Any body parts, truck, firewall or floorboards with sharp edges or large holes resulting from rust.
D. Protruding sharp objects from the chassis.
E. Missing doors, windows, hood, trunks or other body parts that could permit animal harborage.
F. One or more open tires or tubes which could permit animal harborage.
G. Any vehicle suspended by blocks, jacks or other such materials in a location which may pose a danger to the public property owners visitors or residents of the property on which said vehicle is found.
H. Any excessive fluids leaking from vehicle which may be harmful to the public or the environment.
I. Disassembled body or chassis parts stored in on or about the vehicle.
J. Vehicles that do not display a current valid license and registration.
K. Such other defects which the Fire Department determines to be a danger to the general public or property.
L. Motor vehicles parked, drifted or otherwise located which may interfere with flow of pedestrian or automobile traffic or impede emergency efforts.
MUNICIPAL WASTE - See Chapter 496-201, “Solid Waste.”
NOTICE OF VIOLATION - A written document issued to a person in violation of a City ordinance which specifies the violation and contains a directive to take corrective action within a specified time frame or face further legal action.
NUISANCE - Any condition, structure or improvement which constitutes a danger or potential danger to the health, safety or welfare of citizens of the City or causes a blighting effect in City neighborhoods. See also "public nuisance."
PERSON - Any individual, partnership, corporation, association, institution, cooperative enterprise, municipal authority, federal government or agency, state institution and agency, or any other legal entity whatsoever which is recognized by law as being subject to such rights and duties.
PLANTER STRIP - The non-concrete space in the sidewalk area filled with dirt and/or grass.
PRIVATE PROPERTY - Any land and the improvements thereon owned by any person and includes front, side and rear yards; vacant lots, buildings and other structural improvement; walkways and alleyways; and parking areas, designed or used either wholly or in part for private residential, industrial or commercial purposes, whether inhabited or temporarily or continuously uninhabited or vacant, including any yard, grounds, walk, driveway, porch, steps, vestibule or mailbox belonging or appurtenant to such dwelling, house, building or other structure.
PUBLIC NUISANCE - Any condition or premises which is unsafe or unsanitary.
PUBLIC OFFICER - Any police officer, authorized inspector, or public official designated by the Mayor to enforce the City ordinances.
PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY - The total width of any land used, reserved or dedicated as a street, alley, driveway, sidewalk or utility easement, including curb and gutter areas.
RECYCLABLE MATERIAL - See Chapter 496-201, “Solid Waste.”
RESIDUAL WASTE - See Chapter 496-201, “Solid Waste.”
SHADE TREE - Unless otherwise specified, includes all trees, shrubs, and woody vegetation in the public right-of-way.
SIDEWALK AREA - The public right-of-way between the property line and the curbline or the established edge of the roadway.
SOLID WASTE - See Chapter 496-201, “Solid Waste.”
STORAGE - The containment of any solid waste or recyclable material on a temporary basis in such a manner as not to constitute disposal of said waste, and it shall be presumed that the containment of any solid waste or recyclable material in excess of three months constitutes disposal.
TREEWELL - The non-concrete area surrounding a shade tree planted in a sidewalk area.
VEGETATION - Any planting that is cultivated and managed for edible or ornamental purposes such as vegetable gardens, trees, shrubs, hedges, flowers, etc.
VIOLATION TICKET - A form issued by a police officer or public officer to a person who violates a provision of this Part. The violation ticket is an offer by the City of Reading extended to a person to settle a violation by paying the fine in lieu of a citation being issued against the violator.
WEEDS -
A. Shall be defined as all grasses, annual plants and vegetation, which meet any of the following criteria:
(1) Exceed six inches in height.
(2) Exhale unpleasant noxious odors or pollen such as ragweed, dandelion and miscellaneous other vegetation commonly referred to as "weeds" or "brush."
(3) May conceal filthy deposits or serve as breeding places for mosquitoes, other insects or vermin.
(4) May cause a public nuisance.
B. Weeds shall not include cultivated and managed vegetation planted for edible or ornamental purposes such as vegetable gardens, trees, shrubs, flowers, etc.
YARD - An open space on the same lot with a structure.