ORDINANCE 11-04-25
AN AMENDMENT TO ORDINANCE 69-3 PROHIBITING THE
ESTABLISHMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF A SALVAGE YARD
WHEREAS, the Silver Lake Town Council, Kosciusko County, Indiana, deems it necessary to regulate the establishment, operation, and maintenance of salvage yards, junk yards, and scrap yards within the town limits; AND
WHEREAS, the council wishes to protect public health, safety, and welfare; preserve property values; prevent nuisances; and maintain the community’s appearance.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED as follows:
SECTION 1: DEFINITIONS
• “Salvage Yard” or “Junk Yard” shall mean any lot, land, or structure where waste, discarded, salvaged, or used materials are bought, sold, exchanged, stored, disassembled, or handled, including but not limited to scrap metal, paper, rags, rubber, tires, bottles, machinery, appliances, vehicles.
• “Vehicle Graveyard” shall mean any property where unlicensed, inoperable, dismantled, or junked vehicles are stored for a period exceeding thirty (30) days.
• “Scrap” shall mean any materials made of metals, paper, rubber, glass, or plastics.
• “Owner/Operator” shall mean any person, partnership, or corporation that owns, leases, or operates a salvage yard, junk yard, scrap yard, or vehicle graveyard on any premises within the corporate limits of the town.
SECTION 2: PROHIBITION
It shall be unlawful for any owner or operator of a residential, commercial, or industrial property to operate or maintain a salvage yard, junk yard, vehicle graveyard, or scrap yard, whether for their own personal use or selling to others or for trade within the limits of the Town of Silver Lake, Indiana.
SECTION 3: ENFORCEMENT/PENALTIES
The Silver Lake Town Marshal or a Deputy Marshal, acting under the Marshal’s authority, shall instruct the owner or occupant of the property, who is in violation, to remove all items within seven (7) days from the date of notice of violation.
Any owner or operator violating this ordinance shall be fined one hundred dollars ($100.00) per occurrence, with each day being a separate occurrence.
The Silver Lake Town Marshal, under the direction of the Silver Lake Town Council, may waive fines for violations if the materials have been removed within the seven (7) day period.
SECTION 4: VALIDITY
If any portion of this ordinance is found by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unconstitutional, such findings shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions.
This ordinance shall be in full force an effect following the passage and thirty (30) days after its publication. Passed this 10th day of December, 2025.
Medard Murfin, Council President
Nichole Taylor, Council Member
Gloria Weller, Council Member
ATTEST: Tonya Conley, Clerk-Treasurer