§ 96.01 DEFINITIONS.
   For the purpose of this chapter the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
   DEPOSIT. To throw, drop, discard, or place.
   FRONT YARD. A yard extending across the full width of the lot, lying between the front property line or the right-of-way, and the furthermost projection of the principal building or group of buildings.
   JUNK. Any worn out, cast off, or discarded article or material which is ready for destruction or has been collected or stored for salvage or conversion to some other use.
   JUNK VEHICLE. Any vehicle including cars, trucks, truck trailers, trailers, recreational vehicles as defined in this chapter, and other vehicles, whether propelled or not, which meet any of the following:
      (1)   Extensively damaged, such damage including, but not limited to any of the following: missing wheels, tires, motor or transmission;
      (2)   Apparently inoperable; and
      (3)   Wrecked, partially wrecked, dismantled, partially dismantled, or in a discarded condition, or is incapable of being driven and has remained in such condition for a continuous period of 10 days, unless such vehicle is located at the property of licensed auto dealers, auto and body repair shops, or federal, state, or local government agencies including Boards of Education, when the allowable period of time shall be 60 days.
 
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54   Van Wert - General Regulations
      (4)   Portions of cars, including but not limited to hoods, fenders, radiators, rims, motor parts and tires, not being utilized for the repair of a vehicle, shall be considered a junk vehicle.
      (5)   No current license plates displayed on vehicle. This subdivision shall not apply to licensed vehicle dealers, auto and body repair shops and federal, state and local government agencies including boards of education.
   LITTER. Trash, garbage, waste, rubbish, ashes, cans, bottles, wire, paper, cartons, boxes, automobile parts, machine parts, furniture, indoor furniture exposed to the elements, glass, dead animals, animal offal, vegetable refuse, miscellaneous junk, recyclables, or anything else of an unsightly or unsanitary nature. The definition of LITTER does not include leaves, bagged leaves, shrubs, and tree branches set out for collection.
   LITTER RECEPTACLE. A dumpster, trash can, trash bin, garbage can, garbage and/or trash bag, recyclable bin/container, or similar container in which litter is deposited for removal.
   NONTRANSPARENT BARRIER. A barrier at least 6 feet but not more than 10 feet in height which is constructed of a nontransparent material approved by the Safety-Service Director and created and maintained so as to substantially obscure objects located within or upon the premises surrounded from the ordinary view of persons or any public street, highway, or other adjoining property.
   NOTICE. A written statement stating the manner in which a provision of this section is being violated, the description and/or location of the premises, the name of the owners and tenants (if any) of such premises and the period of time within such premises are to be cleared of such violations. Such notice shall be signed by the city zoning and building inspector or his or her designee. After the initial notice any reoccurring violation during the calendar year of the initial notice shall be deemed a repeat offense and subject to immediate clearing of the premises of the violation. The notice shall be served upon the occupant by certified mail, or by conspicuously
 
posting a copy upon the door of the premises, or in a conspicuous manner upon any vacant lot, or by personal delivery by the City Code Enforcement Officer or his or her designee.
   OWNER. The person, firm, or corporation in whose name the premises are listed in the records of deeds in the County Recorder's office.
   RECREATIONAL VEHICLE. Any vehicle driven or pulled that is intended for recreational activities. This includes but is not limited to demolition derby vehicles, mudding vehicles, motorized or non-motorized camping vehicles, tractors, electric bicycles, golf carts and other off-road vehicles.
   RUBBISH. Used wire, bottles, broken glass, crockery, tin, cast or wooden ware, boxes, rags, dead weeds, stumps, tree trunks, brush and any other organic material, paper circulars, handbills, boots, shoes, ashes, garbage (rejected food including every waste accumulation of animal, food and vegetable matter used or intended for food or that attends the preparation, use, cooking, dealing in, or storing of meat, fish, fowl, fruit, or vegetables, sewage wastes), toys, bicycles, human or animal aids or containment items, broken lawn care or lawn decoration items.
(1981 Code, § 96.01) (Ord. 5679-80, passed 6-9-1980; Am. Ord. 6534-92, passed 12-28-1992; Am. Ord. 6562-93, passed 8-9-1993; Am. Ord. 6618-94, passed 6-27-1994; Am. Ord. 6663-95, passed 6-12-1995; Am. Ord. 6891-98, passed 9-28-1998; Am. Ord. 6963-99, passed 3-8-1999; Am. Ord. 07-07-058, passed 8-13-2007; Am. Ord. 07-07-059, passed 8-13-2007; Am. Ord. 11-10-062, passed 11-28-2011; Am. Ord. 12-06-031, passed 7-23-2012; Am. Ord. 12-06-034, passed 7-23-2012; Am. Ord. 12-06-035, passed 7-23-2012; Am. Ord. 15-08-021, passed 9-14- 2015; Am. Ord. 19-11-073, passed 1-13-2020; Am. Ord. 21-10-052, passed 11-22-2021)