NTPD Reminds Community of Snow Parking Regulations

The Northampton Township Police Department wants to remind the community of the township's parking regulations during snow storms.

In the event of a snow storm, no one can park on public streets within the township from the time it begins to snow until 72 hours after it stops, according to the police department. Anyone who violates this ordinance can be fined or towed.

If snow accumulates and needs to be shoveled, all sidewalks that are adjacent to a public highway must be cleared within 24 hours after the snow has stopped falling. Additionally, it is illegal to shovel or plow snow onto adjoining property with the intent of keeping it there.

"We ask for your full cooperation to help keep our community safe and to ensure the safety of our public works employees during snow plowing and removal operations," Chief Barry Pilla said in a press release.

Pilla supplied the following information:

§15-902. Parking Prohibited During Snow Event.

It will be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation, whether principal or agent, to park any motor vehicles on any public street within the Township during the period of time commencing after snow begins to fall and ending 72 hours after the cessation of a snowstorm. (Ord. 561, 4/25/2012) §21-201 Streets and Sidewalks §21-203 21-11 

§15-906. Violations and Penalties.

1. In the event that a vehicle is parked in violation of this Part and, in the judgment of the enforcing officer, such vehicle constitutes a hazard to the public or an impediment to snow removal operations, the enforcing officer may direct the removal of said vehicle.

2. Any person or persons who will violate any provision of this Part may, within 48 hours after the issuance of a violation notice, waive a summary proceeding and elect to pay a fine of $25 for the first offense, and be liable to a fine of $500 the maximum amount allowed by law for any subsequent violations. Violations on separate days will be considered separate offenses.

3. The cost of such removal will be collected from such owner, lessee, operator, or other person responsible for said violation in addition to those fines and costs set forth herein below. (Ord. 561, 4/25/2012

Snow and Ice Removal

§21-201. Removal Required.

All owners, tenants and occupants of land on which is located a sidewalk or sidewalks adjacent to a public highway and all owners of land which is vacant but which contains a sidewalk or sidewalks adjacent to a public highway shall hereafter keep said sidewalks free and clear of snow and ice. All such persons shall clear said sidewalks of snow and ice within 24 hours after the snow has stopped falling. (Ord. 213, 5/9/1984)

§21-202. Throwing Snow onto Highway.

It shall be unlawful to throw, shovel or plow snow into or upon any roads and streets within the Township from adjoining property with the intent of allowing such snow to remain on such roads and streets.

(Ord. 213, 5/9/1984) 

§21-203. Violations and Penalties.

1. Any person, firm or corporation who shall violate any provision of this Part, upon conviction thereof in an action brought before a magisterial district judge 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 less than $25 nor more than $1,000 plus costs and, in default of payment of said fine and costs, to a term of imprisonment not to exceed 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. 561]

2. In the event of a violation of this Part, any police officer of the Township of Northampton may present to the owner, tenant or occupant a notice indicating the nature of the offense and bearing the statement that no prosecution shall be instituted for 48 hours hereafter if, during said 48-hour period, the offender shall voluntarily appear at the office of the Police Department of the Township of Northampton, 55

Township Road, Richboro, Pennsylvania 18954, and voluntarily enter a plea of guilty and pay a penalty of $15 to the Township. In the event such person fails to comply with such notice, the offense will thereafter be prosecuted and the penalty collected in a manner prescribed by existing laws.  (Ord. 213, 5/9/1984; as amended by Ord. 561, 4/25/2012)