Panel cites York County code in debate over how to define 'inoperable' vehicles

Commissioners asked for a clear statutory basis for the term "inoperable," and county counsel read the motor vehicles and traffic code definition, describing an "abandoned motor vehicle, which is inoperable and whose fair market value as determined by the commissioner of the revenue is less than the cost of its restoration to an operable condition." Counsel located the definition outside the zoning code in the motor vehicles and traffic ordinance.

A zoning/code enforcement staff member said inspectors rarely find more than one inoperable vehicle on lots like the one under review and described standard practice of notifying property operators about time limits. The staff member noted storage fees and inspector reminders tend to limit how long vehicles stay on site; commissioners used that enforcement context when deciding to amend the permit condition to allow up to five inoperable vehicles rather than one.