Wilson Borough’s Quality of Life Ordinance (Ordinance 807) provides a way for the Borough to address common property maintenance and neighborhood concerns through a ticketing system.
Below are answers to some frequently asked questions.
What is a Quality of Life ticket?
A Quality of Life (QOL) ticket is issued by an authorized Borough official when a violation covered by the Quality of Life Ordinance is found.
The ticket identifies the violation and provides information about what you need to do.
What types of violations can result in a QOL ticket?
Examples include:
- High grass and weeds
- Accumulation of rubbish or garbage
- Animal waste
- Illegal dumping
- Littering
- Certain motor vehicle violations
- Indoor furniture or appliances stored outside
- Snow and ice not removed from sidewalks
- Improper storage of trash containers
- Swimming pool violations
- Dumpster violations
- Graffiti
- Unsafe structures or conditions
Additional violations are listed in the Quality of Life Ordinance.
How much is a QOL ticket?
For many Quality of Life violations, the fines are:
1st Offense — $25
2nd Offense — $50
3rd and Subsequent Offenses — $100
Repeated or continuing violations may result in additional enforcement.
How long do I have to correct the violation?
Your ticket or notice will tell you how much time you have to correct the violation.
The amount of time may depend on the type and seriousness of the violation. Please follow the correction deadline listed on your ticket.
If I correct the problem, do I still have to pay the ticket?
Yes. Correcting the violation does not automatically cancel the ticket.
The violation must be corrected, and the ticket must also be paid.
How long do I have to pay the ticket?
A Quality-of-Life ticket must be addressed within 10 days.
You may either pay the ticket or follow the Borough’s procedures to request a hearing if you wish to contest it.
What happens if I don’t pay within 10 days?
Additional assessments may be added to an unpaid ticket.
Continued failure to pay or properly request a hearing may result in additional enforcement, including a formal citation.
For this reason, residents should not ignore a Quality-of-Life ticket.
Can I appeal a QOL ticket?
Yes
If you believe a Quality-of-Life ticket was issued incorrectly, you have the right to request a hearing to appeal the ticket.
Your appeal must be submitted within 10 calendar days from the date the ticket was issued.
To file an appeal, you must submit all of the following at the same time:
· Completed Quality of Life Appeal Form
· Payment of the original ticket fine
· Payment of the $500 appeal fee
An appeal will not be considered complete until all required paperwork and payments have been received by the Borough.
What Happens If I Win My Appeal?
If the Hearing Board rules in your favor, the amount you paid for the original ticket and the appeal fee will be refunded within 30 calendar days.
What if I rent the property?
Tenants are not automatically exempt from the Quality-of-Life Ordinance.
Depending on the violation and the circumstances, responsibility may fall upon the property owner, tenant, occupant, or another responsible party.
If you receive a ticket and believe another party is responsible for correcting the condition, contact the Borough Office promptly. Do not simply ignore the ticket.
What if I am a landlord?
Property owners also have responsibilities under Borough ordinances.
A landlord should promptly address a QOL ticket or notice involving their property, even when the condition may have been caused by a tenant or occupant.
What if I pay the ticket but don’t correct the violation?
Paying the ticket does not give permission for the violation to continue.
The condition must still be corrected.
Continued violations may result in additional enforcement. Each day that a violation continues may constitute a separate offense under the ordinance.
Can I receive more than one ticket?
Yes.
Repeated violations can result in additional tickets and increased penalties. Continued or serious violations may also result in a formal citation being filed with the Magisterial District Judge.
What happens if I keep receiving tickets for the same violation?
The Quality-of-Life Ordinance is intended to encourage compliance, not allow the same condition to continue indefinitely.
Repeated violations may result in higher ticket amounts and additional enforcement. After repeated offenses, the Borough may proceed with a formal citation rather than continuing to issue Quality of Life tickets.
Who can issue a Quality-of-Life ticket?
Quality of Life tickets may be issued by Borough officials who are authorized to enforce the ordinance.
What should I do if I receive a ticket and have questions?
Don’t ignore it.
Contact the Wilson Borough Office as soon as possible. Staff can explain the violation, payment procedures, applicable deadlines, and the process for requesting a hearing.
Why does Wilson Borough have a Quality-of-Life Ordinance?
The goal is simple: to keep Wilson Borough clean, safe, and well maintained.
The ticketing system provides a way to address common violations promptly before they become larger neighborhood or property maintenance problems.
Questions?
Please contact the Wilson Borough Office for additional information regarding Quality-of-Life tickets, payments, or hearing procedures.
Thank you for doing your part to keep Wilson Borough clean, safe, and welcoming.
This FAQ is intended to provide a general, easy-to-understand summary of Wilson Borough’s Quality of Life Ordinance. It is not a substitute for the actual ordinance. Ordinance No. 807 and Chapter 139A of the Wilson Borough Code control in the event of any difference or conflict.