Environmental Bylaws
The Bylaws that relate to Environmental Protection Service of the Palmerston North City Council.
Abandoned Vehicles
A (car, trailer, truck, etc.) may be considered abandoned if:
- It is parked on a road or public place and has been there for a considerable period of time, and/or the vehicle is not known to local residents.
- It is in a state of disrepair, un-roadworthy or of a wrecked appearance.
- It may have no recent vehicle registration label, warrant of fitness and may or may not have license plates.
Note: Vehicles on Private Property are not deemed to be an abandoned vehicle.
Removal Of Abandoned Vehicles
Council will take the following action where a vehicle is deemed to be abandoned:
- Reasonable attempts are made to contact the owner of the vehicle after a notice is attached requesting removal within 3 working days.
- Police are contacted to determine whether the vehicle is stolen.
- If it is not a stolen vehicle and the owner still has not been identified or cannot be contacted, the vehicle will be removed and stored. A letter will be sent to the last known Registered Owner advising what has happened and requesting the vehicle be claimed within a specified time.
- If after 28 days the owner still cannot be contacted and/or if no contact has been made to Council, the vehicle may be destroyed or placed for tender.
- The last Registered Owner will be invoiced to help recover costs incurred. Any money received from tender will be offset against expenses. If the proceeds from sale do not cover expenses, the last known Registered Owner will be billed.
- If the vehicle is stolen, Police will advise Council of their procedure on a case by case basis.
Note: Vehicles which are considered a total wreck and of little value will be towed and dumped immediately. Where possible, the last known Registered Owner will be liable for all costs incurred.
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Trade Waste and Stormwater Bylaw 2008
The Trade Waste and Stormwater Bylaw 2008 has been approved by the Council and will become operative on 1 July 2008.
The Water Supply Bylaw 2008 has been approved by the Council and will become operative on 1 July 2008.
Copies of these Bylaws may be inspected at the Council’s Customer Services Centre; at Council Libraries; or view at on this website:-
Trade Waste & Stormwater Bylaw 2008
Water Supply Bylaw 2008
Copies are also available on request from Customer Service Centre.
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Trees & Shrubs Overhanging Footpaths
All overgrowth and shrubs must be trimmed back clear of the footpath edge, and there should be a clearance of 2.1 metres [7 feet] of overhanging growth above the footpath for pedestrians and other footpath users.
Council will take action against residents or property owners breaching above requirement by issuing notices requesting action to be taken within 14 days. After that time, if the problem is not remedied, a contractor will be engaged to complete the work at the owner’s expense.
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Trees, Shrubs, Plants And Vegetation
Council is responsible for maintaining vegetation on Council owned land and in public places, parks and reserves.
Property owners are responsible for the upkeep of their own property and are responsible for any nuisance or damage that their vegetation caused to neighbouring properties.
Council does not get involved with Neighbour disputes. We suggest that you talk openly to try and work out a satisfactory solution between yourselves.
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Illegal Dumping Of Rubbish
Illegal dumping of rubbish or littering of any kind in public places, the roadside or parks and reserves is an offence.
Any persons committing such an offence is liable to an instant fine of $400.00, or on prosecution, a fine up to $500.00 and/ or will be invoiced for any removal Costs.
Council ask that you report incidents of this nature so that follow up action may be taken. If possible, recording the details such as date, time, location of the offence, and vehicle registration number will assist in our investigations.
Rubbish in bags placed on the roadside for collection earlier than collection day or after collection day is also littering. Offenders will be invoiced for the costs to remove the litter.
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Urban Fires
Fires in the urban area without a permit are illegal. Back yard fires are a major source of pollution due to the use of a single chamber incinerator which is not hot enough to destroy air pollutants, this also includes ground fires.
Alternative ways of disposing green waste, plastics, rubber and rubbish are available.
Hangi’s and Umu’s require a fire permit, which must meet conditions e.g. having water available, neighbours to be advised etc. NB. Do not bury meat or vegetable scraps as this could attract rats and dogs which both carry infectious diseases.
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Bees In The Urban Area
Bees can be a nuisance and of concern to those who have pets and young families. An Environmental Officer will investigate complaints. Bees are not classed as an animal pest. If you have a problem with bees on your private property, it is your responsibility to arrange for their removal.
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Pigs In The Urban Area
No person shall keep any pigs so as to be or likely to be a nuisance or create a danger to health.
No person shall allow pigs to be kept within 50 metres of any occupied house, public place or boundary of an adjoining property or any area zoned residential in the District Plan.
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Poultry
Poultry may be kept providing a properly constructed poultry house is covered in with a rainproof roof and provided with a floor of concrete or other approved material with a surrounding nib wall to which a poultry run may be attached.
The run must be 10 metres from a dwelling or other building occupied and 2 metres from the boundary. It must be maintained in good repair, clean and free from any offensive smell or over flow and free from vermin.
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