Stanton Municipal Code Ch. 5.72 Junk Dealers or Collectors

It is the purpose and intent of this chapter for the city council to exercise its police powers, derived from Section 7 of Article XI of the California Constitution and state law, to promote the health, safety, and general welfare of the residents and businesses of the city of Stanton by regulating junk dealers and collectors operating within the city's jurisdiction.

(Ord. 1158, 2/25/2025)

For purpose of this chapter, the following definitions apply:

"Fixed or established place of business"

means and includes any place in the city actually occupied continually by a person engaged in the business of a junk dealer where the books and records of such person are kept, and at which a large share of the business of such person is transacted.

"Junk"

means any scrap metals, glass, papers, cans, cordage, disbanded or inoperative motor vehicles, or any other waste or discarded materials commonly known as junk, which may be treated or prepared so as to be used again in some other form, or for a purpose other than that for which it was originally made.

"Junk collector"

means and includes any person carrying on, managing, or employed in the business of going from house to house, or from place to place in the city, collecting or buying junk in small quantities.

"Junk dealer"

means and includes any person having a fixed place of business within the city and engaged in the business of buying, selling, or otherwise dealing in junk, either at wholesale or retail.

"Person"

means any individual, firm, partnership, joint venture, association, social club, fraternal organization, joint stock company, corporation, estate, trust, business trust, receiver, trustee, syndicate, or any other group or combination acting as a unit.

(Ord. 1158, 2/25/2025)

A. No person shall engage in, manage, conduct, or carry on the business of a junk dealer without a permit, in a form provided by the city. A fee, in an amount as established in Chapter 5.04, must be paid prior to issuance of such permit.

B. Nontransferable. No permit authorized by this chapter shall be transferable to, or used by, a person not named in the permit. All permits issued pursuant to this chapter expire one year from the date of issuance.

(Ord. 1158, 2/25/2025)

A. Prohibited Activity. Junk collection is expressly prohibited in all zones. No person shall carry on, manage, or be employed as a junk collector anywhere within the city, nor will the city issue any permit or license for such activity.

B. Exceptions. This section shall not apply to the collection of junk from place to place, where such activity is connected to the valid operation of an authorized junk dealer or other business with a fixed place of business in or out of the city.

(Ord. 1158, 2/25/2025)

A. No person shall carry on the business of junk dealer within the city between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. the following day.

B. No person shall carry on the business of junk dealer in a manner that will result in litter on public or private property.

C. No junk dealer shall alter, clean, repair, paint, change the appearance of or sell or otherwise dispose of any goods or other things within seven days after the purchase or receipt of them. No junk shall alter, clean, repair, paint or change the appearance of or sell or otherwise dispose of any goods or other things that are salable for or fit for use for the purpose for which originally made or intended, within 21 days after the purchase or receipt of them. This provision does not apply to goods or things purchased from any dealer or tradesman who is duly licensed to operate such business in the city.

D. Every junk dealer shall keep all such goods or other things accessible to the inspection of the chief of police or any police officer in the pursuit of official duties. Every junk dealer, on the demand of the chief of police or police officer, shall display and exhibit such goods or other things to the chief of police or police officer.

(Ord. 1158, 2/25/2025)

A. The community and economic development director may suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew a permit authorized by this chapter in the event a permittee fails to comply with the requirements of this chapter or any other provision of the city's municipal code.

B. Appeals. Any person aggrieved by any decision to suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew a permit may appeal to the city manager by filing a notice of appeal with the city manager and providing reasons to support the appeal. The city manager shall thereupon fix a time and place for hearing such appeal. The city manager shall give notice to such person of the time and place of the hearing by serving it personally or by depositing it in the United States Post Office in Stanton, California, postage prepaid, addressed to such person at his last known address. The city manager shall have the authority to determine all questions raised on such appeal.

(Ord. 1158, 2/25/2025)