CRANBERRY TWP., Pa. (EYT) — A new property maintenance code that sparked controversy in Cranberry Township was passed by the township supervisors at their Thursday morning meeting.

The Cranberry Township supervisors unanimously passed the new code, which is an update of a previous code that was deemed unenforceable following a court decision.

The new code, which met some resistance among residents of the township, was made possible by a state bill which officially permits townships to adopt property maintenance codes.

According to Township Manager Chad Findlay, the new code will take effect in five days.

Some of the main points the new code includes are:

– Specific definitions of what is considered a junked motor, garbage, junk, and refuse within property maintenance code.

– Prohibition of storage and accumulation of any junk material that can be seen from a public roadway maintained by the state or township.

– Prohibition of storage or accumulation of more than two abandoned or junked motor vehicles that can be seen from a public road, with special provisions for businesses engaged in the sale or repair of motor vehicles.

– Prohibition of the burning of garbage, shingles, tires, tar, or similar products.

– Prohibition of grass, weeds or similar vegetable material exceeding a height of twelve inches.

The proposed code sets the following fines for violations: $300.00 to $1,000.00 for garbage, refuse or rubbish, junk material, and abandoned vehicle infractions and $100.00 to $300.00 for burning garbage, shingles, tires, tar, or similar products and failure to maintain grass, weeds, or similar vegetable material over twelve inches high.

The Cranberry Township Code enforcement officer will be responsible for enforcing the new code.