Bell Municipal Code Ch. 12.16 Street Benches

The director shall enforce the provisions of this chapter and shall have complete authority over the installation and maintenance of benches, subject to the provisions of this chapter.

(Prior code § 5020)

For the purpose of this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them:

"Bench"

means a seat located upon public property along any public way for the accommodation of passersby or persons awaiting transportation.

"Street"

means any public thoroughfare or way including the sidewalk, the parkway and any other public property immediately adjacent to a public street.

(Prior code § 5021)

No person shall install or maintain any bench on any street without a permit therefor from the director; a separate permit shall be obtained for each bench. Such permits shall be valid only for the particular location specified thereon. Each permit shall bear a separate number and not more than two permits shall be issued for any one location.

(Prior code § 5022)

No bench permit shall be issued except upon written application showing the proposed location of each bench, the type of construction proposed, and such other information as the director may require.

(Prior code § 5023)

Each application must be accompanied by a filing and processing fee of five dollars for each such bench. No part of such fee shall be refundable.

(Prior code § 5024)

A permit application shall be denied if the director finds that the maintenance of the bench would tend to obstruct passage along any public way or create a hazard or would otherwise be detrimental to the public safety, welfare or convenience.

(Prior code § 5025)

A. Any permit may be revoked, or renewal thereof denied for any violation of any of the provisions of this chapter, for any fraud or misrepresentation in the application, or for any other reason which would have been grounds for denial of the application.

B. Any permit issued under this chapter shall be canceled and revoked if the permittee fails to install the bench within 60 days after the date of the issuance of the permit.

(Prior code § 5026)

A. After the revocation of any permit, the director may remove and store the bench if the permittee fails to do so within 10 days after being given notice of such revocation.

B. The permittee may recover the bench if, within 60 days after the removal, he or she pays the cost of such removal and storage, which shall not exceed $10 for removal and $10 a month for storage for each such bench. After 60 days, the director may sell, destroy or otherwise dispose of the bench at his or her discretion. All of the foregoing shall be at the sole risk of the permittee and shall be in addition to any other penalties provided by law for the violation of this section.

(Prior code § 5027)

Whenever a bench for which a permit has been issued is sold or title or control thereof assigned or transferred, a new permit shall be obtained for its maintenance.

(Prior code § 5028)

A. No advertising matter or sign whatever shall be displayed upon any bench except upon the front and rear surfaces of the backrest, and not more than 75% of each such surface shall be so used.

B. No advertisement or sign on any bench shall display the words, "Stop," "Look," "Drive-In," "Danger" or any other similar word, phrase, symbol or character which might interfere with, mislead or distract traffic.

(Prior code § 5029)