Junk & Inoperable Vehicles

CASCADE CHARTER TOWNSHIP
JUNK AND INOPERABLE VEHICLES
Uniform Ord. No. 1/1973
Adopted: May 14, 1973

AN ORDINANCE TO PROVIDE FOR THE REGULATION AND REMOVAL OF JUNK AND INOPERABLE VEHICLES AND MOTOR VEHICLES.

WHEREAS, the presence of junk and inoperable vehicles and motor vehicles on public or private lands constitutes an attractive nuisance for children and endangers their safety; provides harborage for vermin; creates or enhances fire hazards, causes neighborhoods to become unsightly resulting in the depreciation of property values and, if on city streets or public highways, creates a traffic hazard and endangers the public safety;

NOW, THEREFORE, THE TOWNSHIP OF CASCADE ORDAINS:

Definitions. Section I.

A. "Vehicle" means every device in, upon, or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a highway, excepting devices moved by human power or used exclusively upon rails or tracks.

B. "Motor Vehicle" means every vehicle which is self-propelled and every vehicle which is propelled by electric power obtained from overhead trolley wires, but not operated upon rails.

C. "Inoperable vehicle or motor vehicle" means any vehicle or motor vehicle which cannot be started or legally or physically operated on city streets or public highways by virtue of lacking the equipment required by the laws of the state of Michigan, or which does not bear valid and current license plates.

D. "Junked vehicles or motor vehicles" include all parts or accessories of vehicles or motor vehicles without which vehicles or motor vehicles cannot be operated in a safe manner on city streets or public highways.

E. "Junked vehicles or motor vehicles" mean vehicles or motor vehicles which have been so damaged or dismantled as to be total losses.

F. "Total loss" means the cost to repair a damaged or dismantled vehicle or motor vehicle exceeds the fair market value for such vehicle. Fair market value may be determined by using any nationally recognized appraisal books or method.

No person, firm, or corporation shall accumulate, store, place or permit the accumulation, storage, or placement of any inoperable or junk vehicle or motor vehicle in Cascade Township, for more than 48 hours, unless such inoperable or junk vehicle or motor vehicle is stored in compliance with the zoning ordinance of Cascade Township or in enclosed garages or other structures.

The ownership, occupation or use of land by any person, firm or corporation upon which an inoperable or junked vehicle or motor vehicle are accumulated, stored, or placed shall be prima facie evidence that such person, firm, or corporation accumulated, stored or placed such inoperable vehicle or motor vehicle upon such land, or permitted such inoperable vehicle or motor vehicle to be accumulated, stored or placed upon such land.

Any person, firm, or corporation who shall violate this ordinance shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not more than $500, together with court costs, in the discretion of the court. Each day that such violation occurs shall constitute a separate offense.

A. This ordinance was adopted by the Township Board of Cascade Township at a regular meeting held on the 14th day of May, 1973.

B. This ordinance shall be effective 30 days after its publication in a newspaper of general circulation in Cascade Township.