30C-002 Excerpts from
ZONING ORDINANCE CITY OF NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS
Chapter 350, Sections pertaining to unregistered and junk motor vehicles
Chapter 350 Section 2.0: DEFINITIONS
JUNK MOTOR VEHICLE: Any motor vehicle not capable of being used as such in its existing
condition by reason of being damaged or dismantled or failing to contain parts necessary for
operation and otherwise qualifying as junk.
MOTOR VEHICLE: Any vehicle self propelled by a battery powered, electric or internal
combustion engine, which are permitted and requires a valid registration legally issued by a
governmental authority in order to be operated on a public way. A motor vehicle shall include, but
not be limited to automobiles, trucks, buses, motor - homes, motorized campers, motorcycles, motor
scooters, tractors.
MOTOR VEHICLE ACCESSORIES: Any part or parts of any motor vehicle.
UNREGISTERED MOTOR VEHICLE: Any motor vehicle required to be registered by law of
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for operation on public ways, not so registered.
Chapter 350 Section 8.8 Parking and Loading Space Standards.
All parking and loading areas shall comply with the following:
J. Except on a farm, not more than one commercial vehicle, and said vehicle shall not
exceed a weight of 10,000 pounds gross weight shall be garaged or in any way stored on any
lot in any Residential (R) District.
L. No more than two (2) unregistered motor vehicles (any vehicle that does not have a valid
Registration legally issued by a governmental authority), and no motor vehicle
accessories which are not parts of said two vehicles, may be parked, stored or otherwise
placed on a parcel of land in the City of Northampton without a Special permit from the
Zoning Board of Appeals. This section shall not apply to the parking, storage or
otherwise placing of unregistered motor vehicles and /or motor vehicle accessories where
such parking, storage or placement is in connection with a legally established business
selling new and /or used automobiles and trucks, or automotive repair or automobile
service stations. This section shall also not apply to trucks and tractors which are in use
for bona -fide agricultural purposes.
M. All permitted unregistered motor vehicles and /or motor vehicle accessories shall be
screened from the view of the public and from abutting public ways and from abutting
properties by being enclosed within a structure or sight impervious fencing or screening.
Ttt of Nort mplun
_Massartfusrtts /
* r
t DEPARTMENT OF BUILDING INSPECTIONS
212 Main Street • Municipal Building r b
Northampton, MA 01060
INSPECTOR
Kathleen A. & Michael G. Washut
399 Florence Road
Florence, MA 01062
Lot 30C Plot 002
August 18, 2010
Dear Kathleen & Michael,
We have received a complaint about the presence of unregistered vehicles or junk vehicles on
your property at 399 Florence Road.
Upon investigation, we find that there are a number of unregistered or junk vehicles and motor
vehicle accessories (parts, tires etc.) visible from the street.
The City of Northampton Zoning Ordinance limits the number of unregistered vehicles allowed
on residential property, defines the difference between unregistered and junk vehicles and describes
the requirements for storing the unregistered vehicles and motor vehicle accessories that are permitted.
Only two unregistered vehicles, and no junk vehicles, are allowed per parcel of land in the city without a
Special Permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals.
It would appear that you are in violation of these zoning ordinances. I have included relevant
excerpts from the Zoning Ordinance for reference.
Please make arrangements to have the junk vehicles removed and the unregistered vehicles
stored in an appropriate manner in the immediate future, and contact me to discuss your plans. I will
visit your property on 09/01/10 and if the violations have not been corrected, we will take further action.
This letter shall serve as a notice of violation and order in accordance with the City of Northampton
Zoning Ordinance Chapter 350, section 4.8 (A).
Please call me if you have any questions, or if you need help disposing of vehicles. You may
contact me at the building department. Our telephone number is 587 -1240 and our office hours are
Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, except that we close at 12:00 noon on Wednesdays.
Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
Charles Mille
•
Local Inspector and Zoning Enforcement
cm iller(cr7city. northampton. ma. us