An open area where waste or scrap materials are bought, sold, exchanged, stored, baled, packed, disassembled, or handled, including, but not limited to, scrap iron or other metals, paper, rubber, rags, lumber, tires, or bottles. A “junkyard” also includes any outdoor storage yards of used auto parts dealers as defined in Sec. 61-16-191 of this Code, scrap iron and metal processors, and automobile dismantling and wrecking yards as well as the storage lots or yards of the following operators licensed by the Michigan Department of State, Bureau of Automotive Regulation, Licensing Section: Class C, Used Vehicle Parts Dealer; Class E, distressed Vehicle Transporter; and Class F, Vehicle Scrap Metal Processor, but excludes uses established entirely within enclosed buildings.
Use regulations
The term, “junkyard,” includes four (4) land uses: the premises of junk dealers, the premises of scrap iron and metal processors, automobile dismantling and wrecking yards, and recycling centers other than scrap tire recycling as defined in Sec. 61-16-171, and recycling center as defined in Sec. 61-16-161. These uses are subject to review by the Solid Waste Facility Review Committee and the applicable, corresponding licensing provisions of Chapter 49 of this Code. Junkyards are subject to the following provisions: (1) The minimum lot or parcel size for junkyards shall be two (2) acres; (2) Spacing. Junkyards shall not be located within one hundred fifty (150) feet of any lot zoned R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, or residential PD; (3) Screening. Notwithstanding the junkyard screening provisions of Chapter 49 of this Code, a masonry wall that is not less than eight (8) feet in height and or more than twelve (12) feet in height, shall be constructed and maintained in good condition around any junkyard; Detroit Zoning Ordinance (14 October 2018) 479ARTICLE XII USE REGULATIONS Sec. 61-12-261 | Junkyards.| (4) Setbacks. All buildings, screening, and junk materials shall be set back at least twenty (20) feet from any lot line abutting a right-of-way; (5) As required by Sec. 61-14-231 of this Code, the twenty (20) foot setback area between the masonry wall and the lot line shall be landscaped in accordance with Sec. 61-14-232 and Sec. 61-14-235 of this Code; (6) Adequate parking and unloading facilities shall be provided at the site so that no junk-hauling vehicle stands on a public right-of-way awaiting entrance to the site at any time; (7) All activities shall be confined within the walled-in area. There shall be no stacking of material above the height of the masonry wall, except that moveable equipment used on the site may exceed that height. No equipment or material shall be used or stored outside the screened area; (8) No open burning shall be permitted; (9) Any outdoor industrial processes involving the use of equipment for cutting, shredding, compressing, or packaging shall be conducted at least five hundred (500) feet from land zoned R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, or residential PD; (10) All roads, driveways, parking lots, and loading and unloading areas within any junkyard shall be paved so as to limit the nuisance caused by wind-borne dust on adjoining lots and public roads; (11) The operation shall be licensed by the Michigan Secretary of State to sell used vehicle parts or tow non-operational vehicles. Before the state will issue the licenses, the Buildings and Safety Engineering Department shall certify that the facility is in a properly zoned area and the Police Department shall certify that the operators have not been previously convicted as felons; (12) All fluids shall be drained from vehicles and disposed of in a proper manner prior to the vehicles being stored on the site. Any materials listed on the Michigan Critical Materials Register, gasoline and solvents, shall require secondary containment and a Pollution Incident Protection Plan filed with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality; (13) Bond.| (a) The applicant shall tender to the Finance Department, Debt Management Section an instrument of assurance in the form of a surety bond or an irrevocable letter of credit or a certificate of deposit note, in a sufficient amount, as determined by the Director of the Buildings and Safety Engineering Department for the removal and safe disposal of the maximum amount of material determined to be storable on site and to abate any nuisances remaining in the event of abandonment (See ARTICLE XIV.DIVISION 8); and (b) The Buildings and Safety Engineering Department shall prepare rules governing these instruments of assurance.