Part 70



70.000 JUNK AND OTHER NUISANCES*

Ord. No. 10b

Adopted: April 2, 1973

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*Cross reference(s)--Penalty for ordinance violation, Pt. 1; nuisance and hazard abatement, Pt. 2; junk motor vehicles, Pt. 71; nuisances and dangerous structures, Pt. 103; building construction permits, Pt. 110.

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An ordinance to control junk and other nuisances.

THE CITY OF READING ORDAINS:

70.954 Definitions.

Sec. 9.54. The following words or terms when used in the sections hereafter shall be deemed to have the meanings set forth below.

(1) The term junk shall include, without limitations, parts of machinery or motor vehicles, unused furniture, stoves, refrigerators or other appliances, remnants of wood, metal or any other castoff material of any kind, whether or not the same could be put to any reasonable use.

(2) The term junk automobile shall mean either, or both, of the following:

a. any operative or inoperative motor vehicle which is not licensed for use upon the highways of the State of Michigan for a period in excess of 60 days;

b. any motor vehicle, whether licensed for use upon the highways of the State of Michigan or not, which is inoperative for any reason for a period in excess of 60 days.

Anything to the contrary contained in this definitional Section 9.54(2) notwithstanding, the definition of junk automobile shall not be deemed to include unlicensed, but operative, motor vehicles which are kept on the business premises and being offered for sale as the stock in trade of a regularly licensed and established new or used motor vehicle dealer.

(3) The term abandoned vehicle shall include, without limitations, any vehicle which has remained on private property for a period of 48 continuous hours, or more, without the content of the owner or occupant of the property, or for a period of 48 continuous hours or more after the consent of the owner or occupant has been revoked.

(4) The term blighted structure shall include, without limitations, any dwelling, garage, or outbuilding, or any factory, shop, store, warehouse or any other structure or part of a structure which, because of fire, wind or other natural disaster, or physical deterioration, is no longer habitable as a dwelling, nor useful for the purpose for which it may have been intended.

(5) The term building materials shall include, without limitations, lumber, bricks, concrete or cinder blocks, plumbing materials, electric wiring or equipment, heating ducts or equipment, shingles, mortar, concrete, or cement, nails, screws, or any other materials used in constructing any structure.

(6) The term person shall include all natural persons, firms, co-partnerships, corporations, and all associations of natural persons, incorporated or unincorporated, whether acting by themselves, or by a servant, agent or employee. All persons who violate any of the provisions of this ordinance, whether as owner, occupant, lessee, agent, servant or employee shall, except as herein otherwise provided, be equally liable as principals.

(7) The terms trash and rubbish shall include any and all forms of debris not herein otherwise classified.

(Amended: Ord. No. 71, 4-18-89)

70.955 Storage or accumulation of junk.

Sec. 9.55. It shall be unlawful for any person to store, or to permit the storage or accumulation of trash, rubbish, junk, junk automobiles, or abandoned vehicles on any private property in the City except within a completely enclosed building or upon the premises of a duly licensed junk dealer, junk buyer, dealer in used auto parts, or dealer in second hand goods.

70.956 Dismantling of automobile, appliance or machinery.

Sec. 9.56. It shall be unlawful for any person to dismantle, cut up, remove parts from, or otherwise disassemble any automobile, whether or not the same be a junk automobile, abandoned vehicle, or otherwise, or any appliance or machinery, except in a completely enclosed building, or upon the premises of a duly licensed junk dealer, junk buyer, dealer in used auto parts, or dealer in second hand goods.

70.957 Blighted or vacant structure.

Sec. 9.57. It shall be unlawful for any person to keep or maintain any blighted or vacant structure, dwelling, garage, outbuilding, factory, shop, store, or warehouse unless the same is kept securely locked, the windows kept glazed or neatly boarded up, and otherwise protected to prevent entrance thereto by unauthorized persons or unless structure is in the course of construction in accordance with a valid building permit issued by the City of Reading, and unless such construction is completed within a reasonable time.

70.958 Storage or accumulation of building materials.

Sec. 9.58. It shall be unlawful for any person to store or permit the storage or accumulation of building materials on any private property, except in a completely enclosed building or except where such building materials are part of the stock in trade of a business located on said property, or except when such materials are being used in the construction of a structure on the property in accordance with a valid building permit issued by the City of Reading and unless such construction is completed within a reasonable time.

70.959 Removal of junk automobile or abandoned vehicle, or parts of either.

Sec. 9.59. The City Council or a designated representative may remove or cause to be removed any junk automobile or abandoned vehicle, or parts of either, from any unenclosed private property after having notified, in writing, the owner or occupant of such property of his intention to do so at least 48 hours prior to such removal. Such notice shall be served personally upon the owner or occupant of the property, if occupied, or may be posted in a conspicuous place upon vacant or unoccupied property. Such junk automobiles or abandoned vehicles, or parts of either, shall be removed to the automobile pound and disposed of in accordance with law. Such removal by the City Council or designated representative shall not excuse or relieve any person of the obligation imposed by this ordinance to keep his property free from storage or accumulation of junk automobiles or abandoned vehicles, or parts of either, nor from the penalties for violation thereof.

Effective date. This ordinance is to have immediate effect within ten days after adoption by the City Council.