Police Related Ordinances

A complete copy of Granville Township Ordinances 

Common Police Related Ordinances

Conduct
Fire Prevention and Protection
Animals

Conduct

Part 1 – Curfew

  1.  Unlawful for Any Minors to be on the Streets Between Certain Hours.  It shall be unlawful for any child under the age of sixteen years to loiter on or frequent the streets, alleys and other public places in the said Township of Granville between ten (10:00) PM and six (6:00) AM, unless such child is accompanied by a parent, guardian or other person having legal custody of such child or unless such child’s employment makes it necessary to be upon such streets, alleys or public places between ten (10:00) PM and six (6:00) AM. (Ord. 11/24/1970, 11/24/1970,  1)
  2.  Unlawful for Parents to Allow Minors on Streets Between Certain Hours.  It is hereby made unlawful for any parent, guardian or legal custodian of any child under the ages of sixteen years to allow or permit such child to linger on or frequent the streets, alleys or other public places in the Township between the hours specified in  101 hereof, unless such parent, guardian or legal custodian accompanies such child or unless such child’s employment makes such frequenting necessary.  (Ord. 11/24/1970, 11/24/1970,  2)
  3.  Penalties.  Any person, firm or corporation who shall violate any provision of this Part, upon conviction thereof in an action brought before a district justice in the manner provided for the enforcement of summary offenses under the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure, shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) plus costs and, in default of payment of said fine and costs,  to a term of imprisonment not to exceed ninety (90) days.  Each day that a violation of this Part continues or each Section of this Part, which shall be found to have been violated, shall constitute a separate offense. (Ord. 11/24/1970, 3; as amended by Ord. 1988-1, 4/25/1988; as amended by Ord. 1997-3)

Part 2 – Alcoholic Beverages

  1. Definitions.  Unless the context otherwise requires, the following words and phrases shall be construed according to the definitions set forth below in this Part 2.

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE – any spirits, wine, beer, ale or other liquid containing more than one-half of one (1/2%) percent of grain alcohol by volume, which is fit for beverage purposes.

CONTAINER – any bottle, can or other vessel for the holding of liquids in which alcoholic beverages are contained.(Ord. 1984-5, -/-/1984,  1)

  1.  Prohibition of Consumption at Certain Places.  No person shall consume any alcoholic beverage in any quantity upon any street, avenue, alley, sidewalk, stairway, thoroughfare or other public property within the Township of Granville, nor shall any person consume any alcoholic beverage within five (5) feet of any public way or thoroughfare while on a private stairway, doorway or other private property open to public view, without the express or implied permission of the owner, his agent, or other person in lawful possession thereof. (Ord. 1984-5, -/-/1984,  2)
  2.  Possession.  No person shall possess any container of alcoholic beverage, whether wrapped or unwrapped, which has been opened or on which the seal has been broken in any manner on any public street, avenue, alley, thoroughfare or other public property within the Township of Granville, nor shall any person possess any container of alcoholic beverage within five (5) feet of any public way or thoroughfare while on a private stairway, doorway or other private property open to public view without the express or implied permission of the owner, his agent, or other person in lawful possession thereof. (Ord. 1984-5, -/-/1984,  3)
  3.  Exceptions.  The provisions of  202 and  203 above shall not apply to interior portions of any private dwelling, habitat or building, nor to the consumption or possession by persons in the areas hereby designated of any duly prescribed and dispensed medication having alcoholic content as specified in  201 above; and the provisions of  202 and  203 hereof shall not apply to premises duly licensed by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board and to persons then and there patrons of any such licensee. (Ord. 1984-5, -/-/1984,  4)
  4.  Penalties.  Any person, firm or corporation who shall thereof in an action brought before a district justice in the manner provided for the enforcement of summary violate any provision of this Part, upon conviction offenses under the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure, shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) plus costs and, in default of payment of said fine and costs, to a term of imprisonment not to exceed ninety (90) days.  Each day that a violation of this Part continues or each Section of this Part, which shall be found to have been violated, shall constitute a separate offense. (Ord. 1984-5, -/-/1984,  5; as amended by Ord. 1988-1, 4/25/1988; as amended by Ord. 1997-3)

Part 3 – Prohibited Activities

  1.  Interference with Township Officers and Employees Prohibited.  It shall be unlawful for any person to obstruct, resist, oppose or in any way interfere with any officer or employee of the Township while that officer is or employee is in the performance of any of the duties of his office or employment.  (Ord. 1989-4, 3/27/89)
  2.  Defecating, Urinating or Vomiting on Land of Others.  It shall be unlawful for any person, without justification or legitimate purpose, to defecate, urinate or vomit on any land or property within the Township which is not owned or leased by the actor or on which the owner or occupant of the land or property has not given permission for the actor to defecate, urinate or vomit. For the purposes of this  302, the fact that the actor may have been under the influence of alcohol, a drug, or other debilitating liquid or substance shall not constitute justification or legitimate purpose for the actor’s defecating, urinating or vomiting unless the liquid or substance was being taken as prescribed by a doctor.  (Ord. 1989-4, 3/27/89)
  3.  Penalties.  Any person, firm or corporation who shall violate any provision of this Part, upon conviction thereof in an action brought before a district justice in the manner provided for the enforcement of summary offenses under the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure, shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) plus costs and,  and, in default of payment of said fine and costs, to a term of imprisonment not to exceed ninety (90) days.  Each day that a violation of this Part continues or each Section of this Part, which shall be found to have been violated, shall constitute a separate offense.  (Ord. 1989-4, 3/27/89; as amended by Ord. 1997-3)

Fire Prevention and Protection

Part 1 – Outdoor Open Fires

  1.  Definitions.  Unless otherwise expressly stated, the following words, when used in this Part 1, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this Section:

PERSON – shall include firm, every partnership, association, corporation and other entity.

CAMPFIRES – a small fire contained in a fire ring, pit, or container for the purpose of outdoor cooking, barbecuing or illumination.

OPEN FIRES – shall mean all fires whether or not contained in a metal or masonry enclosure, and shall include smoldering coals.

LARGE PILE – is a quantity of burnable materials covering an area over 1000 square feet, and must be materials permitted to be burned according to State law.  Exception to the above can be made for fire training purposes when monitored by Fire Chief.

(Ord. 12/23/1971, 12/23/1971,  1; as amended by Ord. 1992-6, 7/13/92; as amended by Ord. 2004-5, 6/28/04; as amended by Ord. 2005-8, 9/6/05)

  1.  Exceptions to Outdoor Fires.  It shall be unlawful for any person to set or maintain an outdoor, open fire of any kind, including items that can be recycled within the Township limits, of , , except under the following conditions:
  2. Between one (1) hour after sunrise and one (1) hour before sunset.
  3. Monday through Saturday, inclusive.
  4. Only while such fires are constantly attended by a responsible person over the age of sixteen (16) years.
  5. Such fires must be at least twenty-five (25) feet from the property line on all sides.
  6. Which are not a nuisance in fact or dangerous to the person or surrounding property.
  7. If the fire to be burned is for clearing of property for a construction project, or demolition material, or agricultural related, burning can occur during the day or night and on Sunday, as long as notification is given prior to lighting the fire.  Notification must be given to the Township office during normal working hours.  Outside of normal working hours and on weekends or holidays notification must be given to the Communications Center.  In the case where the township has been notified, the Township will forward the information to the and the fire companies by facsimile transmission.
  8.  If burning after dark or burning a large pile, as permitted in this ordinance, anytime of day or night, the property owner or responsible person attending the fire must notify the Mifflin County Emergency Services dispatch center prior to lighting the fire.(Ord. 12/23/1971, 12/23/1971,  2; as amended by Ord. 1988-1, 4/24/1988; as amended by Ord. 2004-5, 6/28/2004; as amended by Ord. 2005-8, 9/6/05)
  9.  Burn Bans.  The Board of Supervisors may institute a burn ban in the Township from time to time when environmental conditions, such as drought/dryness of vegetation, make open burning dangerous to the adjoining areas.  A ban may also be imposed when the National Weather Service issues a “Drought Warning” or “Drought Emergency” for   When a burn ban is in effect, no burning of any kind is permitted.(Ord. 2005-8, 9/6/05)
  10. Transporting Burnable Materials into the Township is Prohibited.  No flammable materials of any kind may be imported, brought into, transported into, or disposed of, or for the purpose of disposing by burning, or burned within the Township of Granville.(Ord. 2005-8, 9/6/05)
  11. Penalties.  Any person, firm or corporation who shall violate any provision of this Part, upon conviction thereof in an action brought before a district justice in the manner provided for the enforcement of summary offenses under the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure, shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00), plus costs, and, in default of payment of said fine and costs, to a term of imprisonment not to exceed ninety (90) days.  Each day that a violation of this Part continues or each Section of this Part, that shall be found to have been violated, shall constitute a separate offense.  Any person, firm or corporation who shall violate any provision of this part, shall be further ordered by a police officer, fire chief, township supervisor, or township code officer to immediately extinguish the fire.(Ord. 2005-8, 9/6/05; as amended by Ord. 2008-4, 9/8/08)

Animals

Part 1 – Dogs at Large

  1.  Definitions.  As used in this Part, the following terms have the meaning indicated, unless a different meaning clearly appears from the context:

OWNER – any person having a right of property in any dog or having custody of any dog, or any person who harbors or permits a dog to remain on or around his or her property.

RUNNING AT LARGE – being upon any public highway, street, alley, park, or any other public land, or upon property of another person other than the owner, and not being accompanied by or under the control of the owner or any other person having custody of said dog. (Ord. 1988-1, 4/25/1988)

  1.  Unlawful to Allow Dogs to Run at Large.  It shall be unlawful for the owner of any dog or dogs to allow or permit such dog or dogs to run at large in the Township of Granville.  (Ord. 1988-1, 4/25/1988)
  2.  Seizing of Dogs.  Any police officer or dog warden may seize any dog found at large in the .  Such dogs are to be impounded in a licensed kennel.  (Ord. 1988-1, 4/25/1988)
  3.  Licensed Dogs.  Owners of licensed dogs are to be notified by registered or certified mail, with return receipt, that the dog is impounded and will be disposed of in five days, if not claimed.  Five days after the return receipt has been received, and the dog has not been claimed, the dog may be sold or destroyed in accordance with the 1982 Dog Law. (Ord. 1988-1, 4/25/1988)
  4. Unlicensed Dogs.  Unlicensed dogs that are seized are to be held in such kennel for 48 hours and if not claimed may be destroyed in accordance with the 1982 Dog Law. (Ord. 1988-1, 4/25/1988)
  5.  Threatening Dogs.  Dogs that, in the opinion of any police officer or dog warden, constitute a threat to public health and welfare may be killed by the police or dog warden.  (Ord. 1988-1, 4/25/1988)
  6.  Penalties.
  7. The first two times a dog is seized, the owner shall pay a fine of fifteen dollars ($15.00) to the as well as reasonable fees for keeping the animal in a kennel.
  8. Any person allowing an animal to run at large a third time in violation of this Part , upon conviction thereof in an action brought before a district justice in the manner provided for the enforcement of summary offenses under the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure, shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) plus costs and, in default of payment of said fine and costs, to a term of imprisonment not to exceed ninety (90) days.  Each day that a violation of this Part continues or each Section of this Part, which shall be found to have been violated, shall constitute a separate offense. (Ord. 1988-1, 4/25/1988, as amended by Ord. 1997-3).

Part 2 – Animal Noise and Control

  1.  Intent and Purpose.  The Board of Supervisors of the Township of Granville, finding that excessive levels of sound are detrimental to the physical, mental and social well-being of the people as well as to their comfort, living conditions, general welfare and safety and being therefor a public health and welfare hazard, hereby declares it to be necessary to provide for the greater control and more effective regulation of excessive sound and the sources of excessive sound within the Township. (Ord. 1988-1, 4/25/1988)
  2.  Noise Disturbance.  It shall be illegal within the Township of Granville for any person or persons to own, possess, harbor, or control any animal or bird which makes any noise continuously and/or incessantly for a period of ten minutes or makes such noise intermittently for one-half hour or more to the disturbance of any person any time of the day or night regardless of whether the animal or bird is physically situated in or upon private property, said noise being a nuisance; provided, that at the time the animal or bird is making such noise no person is trespassing or threatening to trespass upon private property in or upon which the animal or bird is situated nor is there any other legitimate cause which justifiably provoked the animal or bird. (Ord. 1988-1, 4/25/1988)
  3. Exceptions.  This Part shall not be deemed to prohibit or otherwise declare unlawful any agricultural operations protected from the nuisance suits by Act No. 1982-133. (Ord. 1988-1, 4/25/1988)
  4.  Penalties.  Any person, firm or corporation who shall violate any provision of this Part, upon conviction thereof in an action brought before a district justice in the manner provided for the enforcement of summary offenses under the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure, shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) plus costs and, in default of payment of said fine and costs, to a term of imprisonment not to exceed ninety (90) days.  Each day that a violation of this Part continues or each Section of this Part, which shall be found to have been violated, shall constitute a separate offense.  (Ord. 1988-1, 4/25/1988; as amended by Ord. 1997-3)

Part 3 – Animal Defecation 

  1.  Animal Defecation on Public and Private Property Restricted.  No person, having possession, custody or control of any animals, shall knowingly or negligently permit any dog or other animal to commit any nuisance, i.e. defecation or urination, upon any gutter, street, driveway, alley, curb or sidewalk in the Township of Granville, or upon the floors or stairways of any building or place frequented by the public or used in common by the tenants, or upon the outside walls, walkways, driveways, alleys, curbs or stairways of any building abutting on a public street or park, or upon the grounds of any public park or public area, or upon any private property other than the property of the owner of such animal. (Ord. 1988-1, 4/25/1988)
  2.  Disposal of Animal Feces.  Any person having possession, custody or control of any dog or other animal which commits a nuisance, i.e. defecation or urination, in any area other than the private property of the owner of such dog or other animal, as prohibited in  301 shall be required to immediately remove any feces from such surface and either:
  3. Carry same away for disposal in a toilet, or
  4. Place same in a nonleaking container for deposit in a trash or litter receptacle.(Ord. 1988-1, 4/25/1988)
  5.  Dogs Accompanying Blind or Handicapped Persons Exempted.  The provisions of  301 and  302 hereof shall not apply to a guide dog accompanying any blind persons, or to a dog used to assist any other physically handicapped person. (Ord. 1988-1, 4/25/1988)
  6.  Penalties.  Any person, firm or corporation who shall violate any provision of this Part, upon conviction thereof in an action brought before a district justice in the manner provided for the enforcement of summary offenses under the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure, shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) plus costs and, in default of payment of said fine and costs, to a term of imprisonment not to exceed ninety (90) days.  Each day that a violation of this Part continues or each Section of this Part, which shall be found to have been violated, shall constitute a separate offense. (Ord. 1988-1, 4/25/1988; as amended by Ord. 1997-3)