Code for the Town of Preston,

Caroline County, Maryland

Prepared by

Victor Tervala,

Government Consultant

Institute for Governmental Service

Summer 2001

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter One: General Provisions................................................................................................ 1

Article I: Adopting Ordinance.......................................................................................................... 1

Section 1.1.1: Adoption of Town Code............................................................................... 1

Section 1.1.2: Repeal of previous provisions....................................................................... 1

Section 1.1.3: Repeal not to affect certain provisions........................................................... 1

Section 1.1.4: Additions to Code......................................................................................... 2

Section 1.1.5: File copy........................................................................................................ 2

Section 1.1.6: Application of general penalty....................................................................... 2

Section 1.1.7: Tampering with Code.................................................................................... 2

Section 1.1.8: Repeal of conflicts......................................................................................... 2

Article II: Construction.................................................................................................................... 3

Section 1.2.1: How Code designated and cited.................................................................... 3

Section 1.2.2: Definitions and rules of construction............................................................. 3

Section 1.2.3: Catchlines of sections.................................................................................... 4

Section 1.2.4: Effect of repeal.............................................................................................. 4

Section 1.2.5: Provisions deemed continuations of existing ordinances............................... 5

Section 1.2.6: Severability of parts of Code......................................................................... 5

Section 1.2.7: Amendment to Code; effect of new ordinance; amendatory language........... 5

Section 1.2.8: General penalty for misdemeanors; continuing violations............................. 5

Chapter Two: Public Safety......................................................................................................... 6

Article I: Hunting and Firearms....................................................................................................... 6

Section 2.1.1: Hunting of game; term defined...................................................................... 6

Section 2.1.2: Discharge of weapons................................................................................... 6

Section 2.1.3: Exemptions.................................................................................................... 6

Section 2.1.4: Seizure of weapons used in violation............................................................ 6

Section 2.1.5: Intent and purpose......................................................................................... 7

Section 2.1.6: Concealed weapons....................................................................................... 7

Section 2.1.7: Violations and penalties................................................................................. 7

Article II: Bicycles........................................................................................................................... 8

Section 2.2.1: Definitions..................................................................................................... 8

Section 2.2.2: Control of bicycles; compliance with regulations.......................................... 8

Section 2.2.3: Riding on sidewalks prohibited..................................................................... 8

Section 2.2.4: Riding in parks and playgrounds................................................................... 8

Section 2.2.5: License required............................................................................................ 8

Section 2.2.6: Application for license; duration.................................................................... 9

Section 2.2.7: Issuance and attachment of license; registration card..................................... 9

Section 2.2.8: Annual issuance of tags and cards................................................................. 9

Section 2.2.9: Renewal of license....................................................................................... 10

Section 2.2.10: Transfer of ownership............................................................................... 10

Section 2.2.11: Dismantling of bicycles............................................................................. 10

Section 2.2.12: Mutilation of frame number; tag or card.................................................... 10

Section 2.2.13: Duplicate tags or cards.............................................................................. 10

Section 2.2.14: Evidence of violation................................................................................. 10

Section 2.2.15: Bicycles owned by non-residents.............................................................. 10

Section 2.2.16: Violations and penalties............................................................................. 11

Section 2.2.17: Skateboards and scooters prohibited on streets, alleys and public ways.... 11

Section 2.2.18: Violation and penalties.............................................................................. 11

Article III: Cleaning Premises of Snow and Ice............................................................................. 12

Section 2.3.1: Cleaning premises of snow and ice............................................................. 12

Section 2.3.2: Violation and penalties................................................................................ 12

Section 2.3.3: Snow and ice removal undertaken by Town................................................ 12

Article IV: Clearing Public Streets of Snow and Ice...................................................................... 13

Section 2.4.1: Declaration of snow or ice emergency......................................................... 13

Section 2.4.2: Parking prohibited on all paved streets........................................................ 13

Section 2.4.3: Sufficient traction equipment required......................................................... 13

Section 2.4.4: Required notice............................................................................................ 13

Section 2.4.5: Violations and penalties............................................................................... 13

Chapter Three: Nuisance............................................................................................................ 15

Article I: Peddling, Soliciting and Vending.................................................................................... 15

Section 3.1.1: License Required......................................................................................... 15

Section 3.1.2: Definitions................................................................................................... 15

Section 3.1.3: Application for license; hours...................................................................... 15

Section 3.1.4: Investigation and issuance of license........................................................... 16

Section 3.1.5: Fees............................................................................................................. 16

Section 3.1.6: Exhibition of license.................................................................................... 17

Section 3.1.7: Duration of license...................................................................................... 17

Section 3.1.8: Revocation................................................................................................... 17

Section 3.1.9: Appeals....................................................................................................... 17

Section 3.1.10: Inspections................................................................................................ 18

Section 3.1.11: Exceptions................................................................................................. 18

Section 3.1.12: Violations and penalties............................................................................. 19

Article II: Curfew........................................................................................................................... 20

Section 3.2.1: Loitering of minors prohibited..................................................................... 20

Section 3.2.2: Responsibility of parents............................................................................. 20

Section 3.2.3: Repeal of conflicting ordinances.................................................................. 20

Section 3.2.4: Separability of provisions............................................................................ 21

Section 3.2.5: Penalties...................................................................................................... 21

Article III: Loitering....................................................................................................................... 22

Section 3.3.1: Purpose....................................................................................................... 22

Section 3.3.2: Definition.................................................................................................... 22

Section 3.3.3: Scope........................................................................................................... 22

Section 3.3.4: Penalty......................................................................................................... 22

Article IV: Alcoholic Beverages.................................................................................................... 23

Section 3.4.1: Scope........................................................................................................... 23

Section 3.4.2: Penalty......................................................................................................... 23

Article V: Animal Welfare and Control.......................................................................................... 24

Section 3.5.1: Adoption of County Ordinance................................................................... 24

Article VI: Public Burning............................................................................................................. 25

Section 3.6.1: Public Burning............................................................................................ 25

Section 3.6.2: Penalties...................................................................................................... 25

Article VII: Anti-Noise Ordinance................................................................................................. 26

Section 3.7.1: Prohibited noise........................................................................................... 26

Section 3.7.2: Enforcement................................................................................................ 26

Section 3.7.3: Penalty ....................................................................................................... 27

Article VIII: Improper and Unnecessary Noise............................................................................. 28

Section 3.8.1: Loud and unnecessary noise unlawful......................................................... 28

Section 3.8.2: Unlawful acts enumerated........................................................................... 28

Section 3.8.3: Exemptions.................................................................................................. 29

Section 3.8.4: Enforcement................................................................................................ 30

Section 3.8.5: Violations and penalties............................................................................... 30

Chapter Four: Water and Sewer............................................................................................... 31

Article I: Water............................................................................................................................... 31

Section 4.1.1: Services provided by Town......................................................................... 31

Section 4.1.2: Duties of Water Department Engineer......................................................... 31

Section 4.1.3: Adequate plumbing required....................................................................... 31

Section 4.1.4: Adequate water connections required.......................................................... 32

Section 4.1.5: Wells........................................................................................................... 32

Section 4.1.6: Water building connections......................................................................... 33

Section 4.1.7: Temporary water service............................................................................. 33

Section 4.1.8: Separate connections................................................................................... 34

Section 4.1.9: Special connections..................................................................................... 34

Section 4.1.10: Meters and meter settings.......................................................................... 35

Section 4.1.11: Water meters within corporate limits of Town........................................... 36

Section 4.1.12: Maintenance of water connections............................................................. 36

Section 4.1.13: Repair and renewal of water connections; addition of meters.................... 37

Section 4.1.14: Use of fire hydrants................................................................................... 37

Section 4.1.15: Injury to or interference with Town property............................................ 37

Section 4.1.16: Entry upon private property....................................................................... 37

Section 4.1.17: Water charges............................................................................................ 38

Section 4.1.18: Water lines and water meters..................................................................... 39

Article II: Water Restrictions.......................................................................................................... 41

Section 4.2.1: Water restrictions......................................................................................... 41

Section 4.2.2: Penalty......................................................................................................... 41

Article III: Water and Sewer Rate or Charge Increase.................................................................... 42

Section 4.3.1: Rate or charge increase................................................................................ 42

Section 4.3.2: Rates outside Town limits........................................................................... 42

Section 4.3.3: Termination and discontinuance of service; charge...................................... 42

Article IV: Rate Classification........................................................................................................ 44

Section 4.4.1: Residential classification.............................................................................. 44

Section 4.4.2: Residential; special...................................................................................... 44

Section 4.4.3: Commercial classification............................................................................ 44

Article V: Sewerage Collection...................................................................................................... 45

Section 4.5.1: Definitions................................................................................................... 45

Section 4.5.2: Certain prohibitions..................................................................................... 46

Section 4.5.3: Use of public sewers required..................................................................... 47

Section 4.5.4: Private sewage disposal............................................................................... 47

Section 4.5.5: Building sewers and connections................................................................ 47

Section 4.5.6: Use of public sewers................................................................................... 49

Section 4.5.7: Enumeration of prohibited waters and wastes............................................. 49

Section 4.5.8: Enumeration of wastes the discharge of which may be prohibited by the Superintendent 50

Section 4.5.9: Authority of Superintendent........................................................................ 51

Section 4.5.10: Sampling and measuring procedures......................................................... 52

Section 4.5.11: Maintenance of preliminary treatment facilities.......................................... 52

Section 4.5.12: Special agreements with industrial concerns not preclude......................... 52

Section 4.5.13: Unlawful to damage, destroy, deface etc., sewage mains or works........... 53

Section 4.5.14: Extensions of the sewer to serve nearby properties................................... 53

Section 4.5.15: Powers and authority of inspectors........................................................... 54

Section 4.5.16: Violations and penalties............................................................................. 54

Section 4.5.17: Repeal of inconsistent ordinances and severability.................................... 55

Chapter Five: Housing................................................................................................................ 56

Article I: Housing.......................................................................................................................... 56

Section 5.1.1: Application.................................................................................................. 56

Section 5.1.2: Enforcement................................................................................................ 56

Section 5.1.3: Notice of inspection and entry..................................................................... 56

Section 5.1.4: Repairs........................................................................................................ 56

Section 5.1.5: Plumbing requirements................................................................................ 56

Section 5.1.6: Heating requirements................................................................................... 57

Section 5.1.7: Habitable space requirements...................................................................... 57

Section 5.1.8: Structural requirements................................................................................ 57

Section 5.1.9: Storage of rubbish....................................................................................... 57

Section 5.1.10: Occupancy................................................................................................. 58

Article II: Fences............................................................................................................................ 59

Section 5.2.1: Permits required.......................................................................................... 59

Section 5.2.2: Application for permit................................................................................. 59

Section 5.2.3: Fee and bond............................................................................................... 59

Section 5.2.4: Fences required in certain cases................................................................... 59

Section 5.2.5: Repairs........................................................................................................ 59

Section 5.2.6: Violation and penalties................................................................................ 60

Article III: Control of Weeds, Grass and Littering......................................................................... 61

Section 5.3.1: Definitions................................................................................................... 61

Section 5.3.2: Object and purpose...................................................................................... 61

Section 5.3.3: Weeds and grass, rubbish and garbage........................................................ 61

Section 5.3.4: Littering....................................................................................................... 61

Section 5.3.5: Cost of cutting or removal, payment by owner............................................ 62

Article VI: Adoption of 1996 BOCA National Property Maintenance Code................................. 63

Section 5.4.1: Adoption of Property Maintenance Code.................................................... 63

Section 5.4.2: Inconsistent ordinances repealed................................................................. 63

Section 5.4.3: Additions, insertions and changes............................................................... 63

Section 5.4.4: Revision of Section PM-112....................................................................... 64

Section 5.4.5: Saving clause............................................................................................... 67

Article V: Deteriorated Structures.................................................................................................. 68

Section 5.5.1: Deteriorated structures................................................................................. 68

Chapter Six: Internal Controls.................................................................................................. 69

Article I: Salaries of Commissioners.............................................................................................. 69

Section 6.1.1: Salaries of Commissioners.......................................................................... 69

Article II: Adoption of Personnel Manual...................................................................................... 70

Section 6.2.1: Personnel policy manual.............................................................................. 70

Article III: Purchases and Contracts............................................................................................... 71

Section 6.3.1: Purchases of goods and services valued at less than $300.00..................... 71

Section 6.3.2: Purchases of goods and services valued over $300.00 up to, but not exceeding $5,000.00 71

Section 6.3.3: Purchases of goods and services valued over $5,000.00 up to, but not exceeding $20,000.00 71

Section 6.3.4: Purchases of goods and services valued over $20,000.00........................... 71

Section 6.3.5: Written contracts.......................................................................................... 72

Article IV: Road Naming and Addressing..................................................................................... 73

Section 6.4.1: Purpose....................................................................................................... 73

Section 6.4.2: Application and territorial limits.................................................................. 73

Section 6.4.3: Definitions................................................................................................... 73

Section 6.4.4: Road naming and addressing manual and maps.......................................... 74

Section 6.4.5: Official street name list................................................................................ 74

Section 6.4.6: Address numbers........................................................................................ 74

Section 6.4.7: Notification, use and display of address numbers....................................... 75

Section 6.4.8: Enforcement and penalties........................................................................... 75

Chapter Seven: Miscellaneous.................................................................................................... 77

Article I: Park Rules and Regulations............................................................................................ 77

Section 7.1.1: Alcoholic beverages.................................................................................... 77

Section 7.1.2: Disorderly conduct...................................................................................... 77

Section 7.1.3: Litter............................................................................................................ 77

Section 7.1.4: Malicious mischief, damage, etc.................................................................. 77

Section 7.1.5: Operating hours........................................................................................... 77

Section 7.1.6: Picnics......................................................................................................... 78

Section 7.1.7: Repairing and washing vehicles.................................................................. 78

Section 7.1.8: Permit required for private use by groups................................................... 78

Section 7.1.9: Operation of vehicles................................................................................... 78

Section 7.1.10: Violations and penalties............................................................................. 78

Article II: Yard-Garage Sales......................................................................................................... 79

Section 7.2.1: Purpose....................................................................................................... 79

Section 7.2.2: Definitions................................................................................................... 79

Section 7.2.3: Property permitted to be sold....................................................................... 79

Section 7.2.4: Permit required............................................................................................ 79

Section 7.2.5: Written statement required........................................................................... 80

Section 7.2.6: Permit fee.................................................................................................... 80

Section 7.2.7: Permit conditions......................................................................................... 80

Section 7.2.8: Hours of operation...................................................................................... 80

Section 7.2.9: Exceptions................................................................................................... 80

Section 7.2.10: Pre-permit investigation............................................................................. 81

Section 7.2.11: Display of sale property............................................................................ 81

Section 7.2.12: Display of permit....................................................................................... 81

Section 7.2.13: Advertising; signs..................................................................................... 81

Section 7.2.14: Public nuisance.......................................................................................... 81

Section 7.2.15: Inspection - arrest authority....................................................................... 82

Section 7.2.16: Parking...................................................................................................... 82

Section 7.2.17: Revocation and refusal of permit............................................................... 82

Section 7.2.18: Persons exempted from ordinance............................................................. 82

Section 7.2.19: Separate violations..................................................................................... 83

Section 7.2.20: Penalty....................................................................................................... 83

Section 7.2.21: Separability................................................................................................ 83

Chapter Eight: Stormwater Management................................................................................ 84

Article I: Adoption of County Ordinance....................................................................................... 84

Section 8.1.1: Adoption of County Ordinance................................................................... 84

Appendix A.................................................................................................................................. 85

Employee Evaluation, Discipline, and Merit Policy....................................................................... 85

Equal Employment Opportunities.................................................................................................. 85

1. Application and scope............................................................................................ 85

2. Pay grade assignments........................................................................................... 86

3. Performance evaluations........................................................................................ 89

4. Disciplinary procedures......................................................................................... 90

5. Grievance and appeal procedures........................................................................... 92

Appendix B: Town of Preston Graded Positions..................................................................... 93

Appendix C: Grade and Step Increments, Town of Preston.................................................. 94

CHAPTER 1

GENERAL PROVISIONS

ARTICLE I

ADOPTING ORDINANCE

Section 1.1.1. Adoption of Town Code

There is hereby adopted by the Commissioners of the Town of Preston the Code, entitled ACode of Ordinances of the Town of Preston,@ otherwise known as the Preston Town Code,@ (hereinafter ACode@), containing certain ordinances of a general and permanent nature as compiled, consolidated and codified inclusively.

Section 1.1.2. Repeal of previous provisions

The provisions of this Code shall be in force on and after the enactment date and shall supersede all ordinances of a general and permanent nature enacted before that date except such as by reference thereto are expressly saved from repeal or continued in force and effect for any purpose.

Section 1.1.3. Repeal not to affect certain provisions

The repeal provided for in Section 1.1.2 of this article shall not affect any offense or act committed or done or any penalty or forfeiture incurred or any contract or right established or accruing before the enactment date; nor shall it affect any prosecution, suit, or proceeding pending or any judgement rendered prior to the enactment date nor shall such repeal affect any ordinance or resolution promising or guaranteeing the payment of money for the Town of Preston or authorizing the issue of any bonds of the town or any evidence of the town=s indebtedness or any contract or obligation assumed by the town= nor shall it affect the following:

1. Annual tax levy;

2. Any right or franchise conferred by ordinance or resolution of the town or any person or corporation;

3. Any ordinance adopted for purposes which have been consummated;

4. Any ordinance which is temporary, although general in effect or special although permanent in effect;

5. Any ordinance relating to the salaries of the town officers or employees;

6. Any ordinance annexing territory to the town;

7. Any ordinance naming, renaming, opening, accepting or vacating streets or alleys in the town;

8. Any ordinance adopted after the enactment date;

ix. The zoning ordinance of the town.

Section 1.1.4. Additions to code

Any and all additions or amendments to such Code, when passed in such form as to indicate the intention of the town to make the same a part thereof, shall be deemed to be incorporated in such Code so that reference to the Code of Ordinances of the Town of Preston shall be understood and intended to include such additions and amendments.

Section 1.1.5. File copy

A copy of such Code shall be kept on file in the Town Hall and will include all additions and amendments thereto. This copy, or an identical copy, shall be available for all persons desiring to examine the same during ordinary business hours of the Town Office. Copies may be requested and purchased from the town for a reasonable fee.

Section 1.1.6. Application of general penalty

In case of the amendment to any section of such Code for which a penalty is not provided, the general penalty as provided in this Code shall apply to the section as amended.

Section 1.1.7. Tampering with code

It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to change or amend, by addition or deletions, any part or portion of such Code or to insert or to delete pages or portions thereof, or to alter or tamper with such Code in any manner whatsoever which will cause the law of the Town of Preston to be misrepresented thereby. Any person, firm or corporation violating this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and will be punished according to the general penalty as set forth in this Code.

Section 1.1.8. Repeal of conflicts

All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith, to the extent of such conflict, are hereby repealed.

CHAPTER 1

ARTICLE II

CONSTRUCTION

Section 1.2.1. How Code designated and cited

The ordinances embraced in the following chapters and sections shall constitute and be designated as AThe Code of Ordinances of the Town of Preston,@ and may be so cited. The Code may also be cited as APreston Town Code.@

Section 1.2.2. Definitions and rules of construction

In the construction of this Code and all ordinances, the following definitions and rules shall be observed, unless such definitions and rules would be inconsistent with the manifest intent of the Town of Preston.

CHARTER - shall mean the Charter of the Town of Preston.

CITY - may be used interchangeably with the words Atown@ or Amunicipality.@

COMMISSIONERS - when used as Athe Commissioners@ or Athis Commission@ shall mean the Commissioners of the Town of Preston.

COUNTY - when used as Athe County@ or Athis County@ shall refer to Caroline County, Maryland.

COMPUTATION OF TIME - when expressing the time within which an act is to be done shall be computed in accordance with Maryland Rule 8 (TimeBComputationBSaturday, Sunday and Legal Holiday.....Gen=l., Section a. and b.).

GENDER - when used as the masculine gender shall include the feminine and neuter genders.

JOINT AUTHORITY - when prescribing the authority of any official group of three or more persons, shall, unless otherwise provided, be construed as giving this authority to a majority of the group.

MAY - when used shall be construed as permissive.

MAYOR - shall mean the Mayor of the Town of Preston.

MUNICIPALITY - may be used interchangeable with the words Acity@ and Atown.@

NUMBERS - when used in the singular shall include the plural, as the plural use will include the singular.

OATH - shall be construed to include an affirmation or declaration in all cases in which, by law, an affirmation may be substituted for an oath, and in such cases the words Aswear@ and Asworn@ shall be equivalent to the words Aaffirm@ and Aaffirmed.@

OWNER - when applied to building or land, shall include any part owner, joint owner, tenant in common, joint tenant or tenant by the entirety, of the whole or a part of such building or land.

PERSON - shall include a corporation, company, partnership, association or society as well as a natural person.

PROPERTY - shall include real and personal property.

SHALL - when used shall be construed as mandatory.

SIDEWALK - is any path or way, paved or unpaved, whether publicly or privately owned, intended for public use by pedestrians.

STATE - when used as Athe State@ or Athis State@ shall mean the State of Maryland.

STREET - shall include any public ways, roads, highways, and avenues within the town intended for use by vehicles.

TENANT; OCCUPANT - when applied to a building or land, shall include any person who occupies the whole or a part of such building or land, whether alone or with others.

TIME - when used in the past or present tense, includes the future as well as the past and present.

TOWN - when used as Athe town@ or Athis town@ shall mean the Town of Preston.

YEAR - shall mean a calendar year except when referring to the fiscal year.

Section 1.2.3. Catchlines of sections

The catchlines or titles of the several sections of this Code are intended as mere catchwords to indicate the contents of the sections and shall not be deemed or taken to be a legal part of such sections, nor as any other part of such sections, nor unless expressly so provided, shall they be deemed when any of such sections, including the catchlines, are amended or reenacted.

Section 1.2.4. Effect of repeal

The repeal of an ordinance shall not revive any ordinances in force before or at the time the ordinance repealed took effect. The repeal of an ordinance shall not affect any punishment or penalty incurred before the repeal took effect, nor any suit, prosecution or proceeding pending at the time of the repeal, for an offense committed under the ordinance repealed.

Section 1.2.5. Provisions deemed continuations of existing ordinances

The provisions appearing in this Code, so far as they are the same in substance as ordinances existing at the effective date of this Code, shall be considered as continuation thereof and not as new enactments.

Section 1.2.6. Severability of parts of Code

It is hereby declared to be the intention of the Commissioners that if any of the sections, paragraphs, sentences, clauses, or words of this code shall be declared unconstitutional or otherwise invalid by the valid judgement or decree of any court of competent jurisdiction, that unconstitutionality or invalidity shall not affect any of the remaining words, clauses, sentences, paragraphs and sections of this Code as though the same had been enacted by the Commissioners

without the incorporation in this Code of any such unconstitutional or invalid word, clause, sentence, paragraph or section.

Section 1.2.7. Amendment to Code; effect of new ordinance; amendatory language

All ordinances passed subsequent to this Code of Ordinances which amend, repeal or in any way affect this Code of ordinances, may be numbered in accordance with the numbering system of this Code and printed for inclusion therein. When subsequent ordinances repeal any Chapter, section or subsection or any portion thereof, those repealed portions may be excluded from this Code by omission from reprinted pages.

All sections, articles, chapters, titles or provisions of this Code desired to be replaced shall be specifically repealed by section, chapter or title number, as the case may be.

Section 1.2.8. General penalty for misdemeanors; continuing violations

Whenever in this Code as in any ordinance or resolution of the legislative body or in any rule, regulation or order promulgated by any officer or agency of the city under authority duly vested in him or it, any act is prohibited or is made or declared to be unlawful or an offense or a misdemeanor, or whenever in the Code, ordinance, resolution, rule, regulation or order, the doing of any act is required or the failure to do an act is declared to be unlawful or an offense or a misdemeanor, where no specific penalty is provided therefore, the violation of any such provisions of this Code or any ordinance, resolution, rule, regulation or order shall, upon conviction thereof, be punished by a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars ($500.00) or by imprisonment not exceeding ninety (90) days in jail or by both fine and imprisonment in the discretion of the court. Each day any violation of any provision of this Code or of any such ordinance, resolution, rule, regulation or order shall constitute a separate offense.

CHAPTER 2

PUBLIC SAFETY

ARTICLE I

HUNTING AND FIREARMS

Section 2.1.1 Hunting of game; term defined

A. Except as provided herein, it shall be unlawful for any person to hunt for, catch, take, wound, or kill game of any kind through the use of a pistol, revolver, bow and arrow, slingshot, shotgun, rifle, air rifle, air gun, pellet gun or firearm or weapon from which a shot or other object is discharged within the Town of Preston or on town-owned property.

B. The term Agame,@ as used in this Article, shall mean and include all wild birds and wild animals, and all domesticated animals, whether protected or unprotected under the game laws of the United States, or the State of Maryland, found in a wild state.

Section 2.1.2 Discharge of weapons

It shall be unlawful to discharge a rifle, air rifle or air gun of any kind and description which impels with force a pellet of any kind or to discharge a bow and arrow, slingshot, shotgun, gun or any firearm or weapon from which a shot or other object is discharged within the Town of Preston or on town-owned property.

Section 2.1.3 Exemptions

The provisions of this Article shall not apply to:

A. Properly-authorized law enforcement or animal control officers acting in their line of duty or in training.

B. The members of duly-organized gun, rifle or archery clubs, or their bona-fide guests, or of military organizations, upon the ranges of such clubs or organizations.

C. The patron of commercial ranges.

Section 2.1.4 Seizure of weapons used in violation

Authorized enforcing agents are hereby authorized to seize and retain any rifle, air rifle or air gun of any description or ammunition or pellets for the same or any bows and arrows, slingshots, shotguns, guns or any firearm or weapon from which a shot or other object is discharged which shall be used, discharged or possessed within the Town of Preston, or on town-owned property, in violation of this Article.

Section 2.1.5 Intent and purpose

It is the intent and purpose of this Article that the killing of game or vermin of any kind through the use of a rifle, air rifle, air gun or bow and arrow, slingshot, shotgun, gun or any firearm or weapon from which a shot or other object is discharged within the Town of Preston or on town-owned property.

Section 2.1.6 Concealed weapons

A. Any person who shall, within the town limits, have concealed about his person any deadly or dangerous weapon or who shall carry openly any such weapon with intent to unlawfully use the same shall, upon conviction, be subject to the penalties as hereinafter provided.

B. The officers, non-commissioned officers and privates of the United States Army, Navy or Marine Corps or any regularly organized military company, police officers, officers guarding prisoners, officials of the United States or any state or the District of Columbia engaged in the execution of the laws for the protection of persons or property, when any of such persons are on duty, shall not be liable for prosecution hereunder for carrying necessary arms for use in performance of their duty; and nothing contained in this section shall be so construed as to prevent any person from keeping or carrying about his place of business, dwelling house or premises any such dangerous weapon or from carrying the same from the place of purchase to his dwelling house or place of business to any place where repairing is done to have the same repaired and back again.

Section 2.1.7 Violations and penalties

Any person violating any of the provisions of this Article shall, upon conviction thereof, be punished by a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars ($500.00) or by imprisonment not exceeding ninety (90) days in jail or by both fine and imprisonment.

CHAPTER 2

ARTICLE II

BICYCLES

Section 2.2.1 Definitions

For the purpose of this Article, the terms used herein are defined as follows:

Bicycle - any conventional vehicle of one (1), two (2), or more wheels propelled by the rider, or said term as defined in the Transportation Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland.

Motor Vehicle - minibikes, motor bikes, motor scooters, go-carts or other mechanically propelled vehicles of a similar nature, except bicycles as defined herein or in the Transportation Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland.

Section 2.2.2 Control of bicycles; compliance with regulations

The rider or operator of a bicycle on any street of the Town of Preston shall have said vehicle under proper control at all times and not operate or propel the bicycle on any of the streets of the town recklessly or at a rate of speed greater than is reasonable and proper and shall not use the streets and highways so as to endanger the property of any person. All operators of bicycles shall at all times comply with all other traffic regulations in force in the Town of Preston and the traffic regulations of the State of Maryland.

Section 2.2.3 Riding on sidewalks prohibited

It shall be unlawful for any person to ride any bicycle or motor vehicle as defined in this Article on or over the public sidewalks of the town.

Section 2.2.4 Riding in parks and playgrounds

It shall be unlawful for any person, operator or group of persons to ride or operate a bicycle or motor vehicle as defined in this Article in any park or playground owned, operated and maintained by the Town of Preston, except in those areas designated as Ariding areas@ or except in such areas as are public ways or public highways or roads and commonly used as such in said park or playground areas.

Section 2.2.5 License required

No person who resides in the town shall ride a bicycle on any street unless such bicycle shall have been licensed, a registration card shall have been issued and a license plate shall have been attached thereto as provided herein.

Section 2.2.6 Application for license; duration

A. Every resident of the town who is the owner of a bicycle shall, on or before the first day of September of each year, apply to the Chief of Police for a bicycle license, registration card and license plate. After September first or each year, it shall be the duty of any resident of the town or any person who rides or propels a bicycle ordinarily kept within the limits of the town, immediately upon purchasing or acquiring a bicycle, to apply for a bicycle license, registration card and license plate within ten (10) days after such purchase or acquisition. Such application shall be made on a form provided by the town.

B. The registration card and metal tag or license plate issued pursuant to such application shall be valid until the first day of September of the following year, as long as ownership of the bicycle remains unchanged. The license to ride or propel a bicycle shall be valid until the first day of September of the first year following its issue.

Section 2.2.7 Issuance and attachment of license; registration card

A. The Police Department shall provide, at the expense of the owner, permanent metallic license tags, together with registration cards, which tags and cards shall have numbers stamped thereon in numerical order, beginning with number one (1) and indicating the name of the town and the year of issue. Such tag shall be suitable for attachment to the rear mudguard or the frame of the bicycle of which issued, in such position as to be plainly visible. Such tag shall be attached to the bicycle by the Police Department or persons designated by the Police Department at the time of issuance and shall remain attached to the bicycle for which it is issued for so long as such license shall remain in effect. The Chief of Police or persons designated by him shall also keep two (2) records of such registration: by serial number assigned to the bicycle and by the owner=s name in alphabetical order.

B. Upon issuance of a license and its attachment to the bicycle, the Police Department or persons designated by the Police Department shall furnish to the owner of such bicycle the corresponding registration card. The operator of a bicycle shall display his registration card or produce satisfactory proof that the owner has such registration card upon demand of any officer of the Town of Preston Police Department.

Section 2.2.8 Annual issuance of tags and cards

The registration cards and metal tags and/or sticker for the metal tags shall be issued each year upon application to the Chief of Police.

Section 2.2.9 Renewal of license

Bicycle licenses shall be renewed every year, on or before the first of September of each year. They shall be renewed upon application to and inspection by the Chief of Police or persons designated by him.

Section 2.2.10. Transfer of ownership

It shall be the duty of every person who sells or transfers ownership of any bicycle within the Town of Preston to report such sale to the Chief of Police. If such bicycle had been licensed and registered, such person shall, at the time of sale or transfer of ownership, return to the Chief of Police, the registration card and license tag. Such person shall furnish the Chief of Police with the name and address of the person to whom such bicycle was sold or transferred. Such report and return of registration card and license tag shall be made by the person selling or transferring within three (3) days of the date of said sale or transfer.

Section 2.2.11 Dismantling of bicycles

It shall be the duty of every person who dismantles, reduces to junk or takes out of operation any bicycle, whether the same is registered, to report the same to the Chief of Police and to turn in the registration card and license tag if such bicycle was registered.

Section 2.2.12 Mutilation of frame number; tag or card

It shall be unlawful for any person, willfully or maliciously, to remove, destroy, mutilate or alter the number of any bicycle frame or to remove, destroy or alter any license tag or registration card during the time when such license tag or registration card is valid, except as provided in Section 10 and 11 thereof.

Section 2.2.13 Duplicate tags or cards

In case of loss or destruction of any license tag and/or card, a duplicate license tag and/or card shall be issued to the registered owner of such bicycle upon payment of a fee as set by the Mayor and Council, for each tag or card required, provided that such owner gives to the Chief of Police satisfactory proof of such ownership and loss or destruction of such card and/or tab, by affidavit or otherwise.

Section 2.2.14 Evidence of violation

If any bicycle shall be found on any road, street or alley of the town without a license tag, as above set forth or with a mutilated serial number or no serial number stamped on the frame of the bicycle, it shall be prima facie evidence that such bicycle is being operated without proper registration.

Section 2.2.15 Bicycles owned by non-residents

Any bicycle owned and operated by any resident of any other municipality shall not be required to be registered hereunder but shall be subject to all other provisions of this Article.

Section 2.2.16 Violation and penalties

Any person or persons violating any of the provisions of this Article shall, upon conviction thereof, be punished by a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars ($500.00) or by imprisonment not exceeding ninety (90) days in jail, or by both fine and imprisonment.

Section 2.2.17 Skateboards and scooters prohibited on streets, alleys and public ways

The operation of skateboards and scooters is prohibited and is a municipal infraction of the Town of Preston. The operation of skateboards and scooters by persons on public ways, streets, alleys within the town constitutes a hazard to pedestrians and traffic, and a hazard to the operator.

It shall be unlawful for any person to ride, propel, push or otherwise operate a skateboard or scooter on any public way, street, alley, sidewalk parking lot or other public property (except for public skateboard or scooter facilities and publicly sponsored or authorized skateboard or scooter events) within the corporate boundaries of the town.

In the event that any law enforcement officer of the Town of Preston observes any minor child operating a skateboard or scooter in violations of the provisions of this Article, the law enforcement officer may confiscate the skateboard or scooter operated by said minor child and shall return the skateboard or scooter only to the said minor=s parent or guardian. The law enforcement officer shall be authorized to confiscate a skateboard or scooter under the provisions of this subsection whether or not he or she issues a citation for the violation of this section.

Section 2.2.18 Violation and penalties

Any person violating the provisions of subsection hereof shall be guilty of a municipal infraction and, any provision of this code to the contrary notwithstanding, shall be subject to a fine of five dollars ($5.00) for the first offense and ten dollars ($10.00) for each subsequent offense.

CHAPTER 2

ARTICLE III

CLEANING PREMISES OF SNOW AND ICE

Section 2.3.1 Cleaning premises of snow and ice

It shall be unlawful for any person or persons or body corporate to allow snow, sleet and/or ice to remain on or upon the sidewalk of any street or alley adjoining property owned or occupied by him, her, them or it for a longer period than 24 hours from the cessation of the fall of said snow, ice or sleet. Said person, persons or body corporate will have the same cleared off and removed from the said sidewalk(s) immediately after the time set forth herein.

Section 2.3.2 Violation and Penalties

Any owner failing to comply with the provisions of this Article shall be subject to a municipal infraction fine of $25.00 plus costs of snow removal, if any.

Section 2.3.3 Snow and ice removal undertaken by Town

The Commissioners of the Town of Preston are authorized but are not required to undertake snow, sleet and ice removal of said sidewalks on behalf of any such owner. Costs of such snow and ice removal undertaken by the Town will be billed at the next assessment of town real estate property taxes with such taxes as a part thereof.

CHAPTER 2

ARTICLE IV

CLEARING PUBLIC STREETS OF SNOW AND ICE

Section 2.4.1 Declaration of snow or ice emergency

The Mayor and/or Commissioners may, at their discretion, declare a snow or ice emergency evidenced by hazards existing on public streets in the Town of Preston. If more than three (3) inches of snow accumulates, a snow emergency will be implied and assumed, with or without declaration by the Mayor and/or Commissioners.

Section 2.4.2 Parking prohibited on all paved streets

In the event a snow or ice emergency is declared or if snow accumulation at any time reaches the depth of three (3) inches or more, it shall be unlawful, during the period of such emergency, for any person to park a motor vehicle or tractor, or to allow the same to remain parked, on any paved, public street in the Town of Preston.

Section 2.4.3 Sufficient traction equipment required

Under conditions of snow or ice emergency, whether declared or implied by depth of snow over three (3) inches, it shall be unlawful to operate any motorized vehicle or tractor on any public street in the Town of Preston unless such vehicle is equipped to have sufficient traction to keep such vehicle or tractor in motion so that other traffic on such streets will not be blocked or seriously impeded.

Section 2.4.4 Required notice

Where it is necessary for the Mayor and/or Commissioners to declare a snow or ice emergency, the Chief of Police of the Town of Preston shall inform radio stations, newspapers or other available media as to the existence of such emergency, for purposes of communicating such information to the public.

Section 2.4.5 Violations and penalties

A. After notice has been given in any manner described in Section 2.4.4 or after three (3) inches of snow has fallen, any person who shall park a motorized vehicle or tractor upon, in or along any public street in the Town of Preston during such emergency, shall be guilty of a violation of this Article.

B. After notice has been given in any manner described in Section 2.4.4 or after three (3) inches of snow has fallen, any person who shall operate a motorized vehicle or tractor upon any public street and become stalled or stranded on such street, shall be guilty of a violation of this Article; provided, that such stalling or stranding shall have been by reason of the failure to have such vehicle or tractor equipped for traction as described in Section 2.4.3.

CHAPTER 3

NUISANCE

ARTICLE I

PEDDLING, SOLICITING AND VENDING

Section 3.1.1 License required

It shall be unlawful for any peddler, hawker, vendor, canvasser or solicitor, as hereinafter defined, to engage in such activity within the Town of Preston without first obtaining a license therefore in accordance with the provisions of this Article.

Section 3.1.2 Definitions

When used in this Article, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

A. AItinerant Merchants, Transient Vendors and Salesmen@ - shall be deemed to be in the category of peddler, hawker, vendor, solicitor or canvasser, as set forth.

B. APeddler, Hawker and Vendor@ - includes any person, whether a resident of the Town of Preston or not, traveling either by foot, vehicle or any other type of conveyance, who goes from house to house, from place to place or from street to street, conveying or transporting goods, wares or merchandise and offering or exposing the same for sale or making sales and delivering articles to purchasers, or who engages in any of the foregoing activities from a stationary location on the street or other public place.

B. ASolicitor or Canvasser@ - includes any person, whether a resident of the Town of Preston or not, who goes from house to house, from place to place or from street to street soliciting or taking or attempting to take orders for the sale of services to be performed in the future, whether or not such individual has, carries or exposes for sale a sample of the subject for such order and whether or not he is collecting advance payments on such orders, or who engages in soliciting junk, or who engages in any of the foregoing activities from a stationary location on the street or other public place.

Section 3.1.3 Application for license; hours

A. Applicants for a license under this Article shall file with the Town Clerk a sworn application, in writing on a form to be furnished by the Town Clerk, which shall give the following information:

1. Name and description of the applicant.

2. Permanent home address and local mailing address, if any, of applicant.

3. A brief description of the nature of the business and the goods to be sold and the name and address of the principal office of their manufacturer, as well as the name and address of the agent designated to receive service of process in the State of Maryland.

4. If employed, the name and address of the employer.

5. The length of time for which the right to do business is desired.

6. The applicant=s fingerprints, at the request of the Police Chief.

7. A statement as to whether or not the applicant has been convicted of any crime, misdemeanor or violation of any municipal ordinance, other than a traffic violation, and the nature of the offense and the punishment or penalty assessed therefore.

8. Whether or not orders are to be solicited or taken for future delivery of goods or performance of services and whether or not soliciting is for funds.

B. The time of solicitation, peddling, hawking, vending and canvassing shall be between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.

Section 3.1.4. Investigation and issuance of license

A. Upon receipt of such application, the original shall be referred to the Police Chief, who shall cause to be made such investigation of the applicant=s business and moral character as he deems necessary for the protection of the public welfare.

B. If, as a result of such investigation, the applicant=s character or business responsibility is found to be unsatisfactory, the Police Chief shall endorse on such application his disapproval and his reason for the same and return the application to the Town Clerk, who shall notify the applicant that his application is disapproved.

C. If, as a result of such investigation, the character and business responsibility of the applicant are found to be satisfactory, the Police Chief shall endorse his approval on the application, returning the application to the Town Clerk, who shall, upon payment of the prescribed license fee, execute and deliver to the applicant his license. The Clerk shall keep a record of all licenses issued and of all complaints received, if any, concerning each license.

Section 3.1.5. Fees

A fee, as provided by ordinances of the town, shall be paid by each applicant upon the issuance of each license, except as otherwise provided by law.