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of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

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    ​Junkyard Control

    Junkyards and automotive dismantlers and recyclers adjacent to Pennsylvania highways must follow highway beautification regulations so that the State can comply with the federal Highway Beautification Act of 1965. If Pennsylvania does not effectively control outdoor junkyards near highway right-of-way, the State could lose up to 8% of its Federal highway funds. Junkyard facilities must obtain a PennDOT license to operate in the highway areas. Part of the licensing process is ensuring the facility has adequate screening to lessen its visibility from the roadway.

    Please see the "Applicable Laws and Regulations" box below for what is considered a junkyard or automotive dismantler and recycler facility. PennDOT's Highway Beautification Manual linked on the right side of this page provides in-depth details for outdoor junkyards and dismantlers.

    ​Act No. 4, 1966 Special Session July 28, Public Law 91 and Pennsylvania Code Title 67, Chapter 451 govern the control of junkyards, automotive dismantlers, and recyclers. These were enacted based on the Federal requirements of U.S. Code Title 23, Section 136 and Code of Federal Regulations Title 23, Chapter 1, Part 751.

    The term "junkyard" is defined in the regulations as "any outdoor establishment, place of business, or activity which is maintained, used or operated for storing, keeping, buying or selling junk; for the maintenance or operation of a garbage dump, sanitary landfill or scrap metal processor, or for the storage of ten or more junked vehicles." An "automotive dismantler and recycler" is "any establishment or place of business which is maintained, used, or operated for storing, keeping, buying or selling wrecked, scrapped, ruined or dismantled motor vehicles, or motorparts, or both."

    "Junk" is defined as "scrap, copper, brass, rope, rags, batteries, paper, trash, rubber debris, waste, iron, steel and other old or scrap ferrous or nonferrous material, including wrecked, scrapped, ruined, dismantled, or junked motor vehicles, or parts thereof."

    ​Owners of a junkyard or automotive dismantler and recycler can create an account and apply for a PennDOT license on the Highway Beautification Management System (HBMS). Alternatively, a paper application using the Form RW-748A can be mailed to the District Outdoor Advertising Control Manager whose contact information is provided through the link on the right side of this page. Applying for a license includes a required application fee of one hundred dollars.