A new county junk and salvage yard ordinance becomes law in Halifax County North Carolina in January.
Halifax County Commissioners approved the ordinance Tuesday, Oct. 19, after adding language that strengthens their ability to enforce the new policy.
A one-paragraph section entitled "violations" was added, and states, "If any person shall violate this ordinance, he shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor and shall be fined a maximum fine greater than $50 but not more than $500." Offenders may also be charged $25 per violation and have their permit revoked, as well as other penalties.
Owners and operators of junk or salvage yards have 60 days after Jan. 1 to register with the county by filling out an application and paying a fee. After registration, all owners will be granted 120 days to receive a permit, which requires another application and fee.
The application for a permit must include a plan of the property, which will detail setbacks, fences, screening, junkyard dimensions, gross acreage and other factors. The county Planning Department will receive all applications and plans and will be in charge of approving them.
Once an owner has a permit, he or she must comply with a list of requirements in a certain amount of time. The requirements are spelled out in the ordinance, with a number of months each one must be met by.
For example, any owner of a new junkyard will have one month to make sure all buildings, equipment and junk is not situated within 10 feet of the front property lines.
Owners will have 12 months to create a buffer of vegetation or opaque fencing between the business and any occupied structure less than 500 feet away.
The ordinance applies to any property in unincorporated areas of the county not covered by any municipal ordinance. Junk and salvage yards established before Nov. 22, 1978 are exempt, unless they are being expanded.
Recycling centers and bona fide farms are also exempt, as are bona fide service stations or garages that have received a conditional use permit before the ordinance was approved.
Commissioners said the proposed ordinance was developed to promote public health and safety, preserve the natural scenic beauty of the county and to protect the public from safety hazards and nuisances.
Copies of the junkyard ordinance may be obtained at the county Planning Department in Halifax, which can be reached at 583-1082. - Roanoke Daily Herald