NEWPORT BOROUGH ORDINANCES
SNOW/ICE - All sidewalks must be cleared to at least a 30-inch width of snow and/or ice within 12 hours after a storm. Snow shoveled into the streets is permitted prior to or during plowing. The snow emergency route is 5th Street, from Mulberry to Oliver, and upon a declaration of emergency, no parking will be permitted. During such time when a snow emergency condition is in effect, vehicles must be equipped with snow tires or chains while being operated in the Borough.
CONTROL AND MAINTENANCE OF ANIMALS - Dogs or cats must be confined at all times within the premises of the owner or custodian and maintained in a clean and sanitary condition. The owner of any animal shall be responsible for the removal of all fecal excrement from any public property, sidewalk, or other public place or private property. It is also unlawful for any person to harbor, care for, shelter, or maintain any breed of dogs or cats which make any noise that disturbs any person at any time of the day or night to the extent of constituting a nuisance, and with a complaint having been filed with the Police Department.
DISCHARGE OF FIRE ARMS - The discharge of any firearms is prohibited in the Borough of Newport, except by a law enforcement officer.
GRASS, WEEDS, AND OTHER VEGETATION - Whenever any vegetation is found to exceed six inches in the Borough, notices will be given to correct the problem, and failure to do so can result in a fine being assessed.
NUISANCES CREATED BY TREES AND SHRUBS - Whenever a tree or shrub blocks the sidewalk or restricts vision at intersections, notice will be given by the appropriate Borough official that the condition must be removed in the appropriate time frame. Provisions for inspection, enforcement, and hearings are provided in the Ordinance.
OPEN BURNING ORDINANCE - Open burning within the Borough limits is prohibited, except by any public official for the prevention of a fire hazard which cannot be abated by other means, or for the protection of public health.
PARKING ORDINANCE - Vehicles parked within the Borough limits, along or on any street, for more than four days without being moved is prohibited, unless obtaining permission from the police department to extend this period. The word moving means the removal from the street and not just a relocation.
PROPERTY MAINTENANCE - Established to provide certain minimum health and safety requirements for buildings, structures, or properties which are used or associated with human occupancy. The maintenance or accumulation of any materials such as garbage, refuse, trash, or solid waste except in accordance with the Borough Ordinance is prohibited. Inspections may be requested if a property is known to be a concern.
REFUSE REMOVAL - Residents of Newport may select a private collection service from any of the haulers permitted to collect in the Borough. Garbage can only be set out 24 hours before pickup day. It is required that all refuse be kept out of public view, either in cans or bags that are kept in an enclosed area.
SIDEWALK AND CURBING PERMITS - Permits are not required for the construction, reconstruction, replacement, repair, or obstruction of any sidewalk, including the curb and gutter in the Borough, on notice from the Borough or on the owner's own initiative. The Borough provides specification for the work. Curbing and sidewalks are required wherever new homes are constructed in Newport, and when repairs or new installations are deemed in the public interest by the Borough Council. Residents should be extra careful when replacing or repairing their sidewalk not to cover sewer vents or water shutoff valves.
STREETS AND TRAFFIC - Speed limits throughout the Borough are now 25 MPH and are enforced by Borough Police.
ZONING PERMITS - Under the ordinance adopted in 2001, permits are required whenever any building, structure, or sign is erected, constructed, extended, replaced, demolished, converted, moved, added to, or structurally altered, and whenever any land, buildings, and structures are put to any use or have the use for which they are used changed. No permit shall be issued unless it is in conformity with the ordinance. Only the Zoning Hearing Board may issue variances or special exceptions as provided by the ordinance.