Community Corner

PODS and Dumpsters: On Notice in Abington

Abington cracks down on rogue portable storage units.

 

Do you know someone with a POD, Dumpster or other portable storage unit on his or her property? That person’s going to need a permit.

The Abington Board of Commissioners last night unanimously approved a motion requiring permits for the placement of portable storage units in the township.

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According to the ordinance, anyone looking to place one of these units on his or her property must apply for a permit from the code enforcement department. The permit lasts for 30 days. Though there is no fee for the initial permit, it will cost $25 to extend the permit for 30 days, with a maximum of 90 days.

Abington Director of Planning and Code Enforcement Larry Matteo said the ordinance is safety issue. Matteo said there was an instance of a resident keeping a portable storage unit on his property for more than a year; he said there was also an instance of a person living in a storage unit in the township. Abington Commissioner Peggy Myers said she knows of an instance where a resident kept a portable storage unit on his property for more than two years.

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“I am very much in support of this [ordinance],” Myers said. “The permit process allows us to know where [the portable storage units] are and where they come from.”

Abington Police Officer Al Freed said he has been looking into the issue for several years. Freed said he has seen some portable storage units placed in the streets without having reflectors.

According to the ordinance, such units must be placed in a driveway when possible, and not in the public right of way or in a front yard. Exceptions must be approved by the code enforcement department. 

Of note, anyone with a construction permit — anyone having long-term construction done to his or her house — is exempt from applying for portable storage unit permit extensions.

Penalties for violating the ordinance range from $300 to $1,000, plus court costs.

The ordinance goes into effect in 60 days.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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