Source: https://www.ecode360.com/10832030
Timestamp: 2019-04-23 15:53:59+00:00

Document:
§ 136-3 Nuisances defined and prohibited.
§ 136-4 Return of land to its natural condition due to larger residential lot zoning.
§ 136-5 Housing standards of habitability.
§ 136-6 Inspection of premises for violations; denial of entry; warrant.
§ 136-7 Abatement of nuisances.
§ 136-8 Recovery of costs by borough.
§ 136-13 Required contents of registration statement.
§ 136-14 Receipt of notices.
§ 136-15 Required access to property.
§ 136-17 Additional requirements for owners of vacant property.
§ 136-18 Violations and penalties.
Public nuisances by dogs — See Ch. 67, Art. I.
Noise — See Ch. 133.
Cars parked on snow-covered streets — See Ch. 200, § 200-16.
Editor’s Note: This ordinance also superseded former Ch. 136, Nuisances, comprised of former Art. I, Public Heath Nuisance Code, adopted 2-7-1983 by Ord. No. 347, as amended, and former Art. II, Additions to Public Health Nuisance Code, adopted 11-5-2001 by Ord. No. 2001-7.
The purpose of this article is to protect and promote the public health through the control, abatement and prevention of nuisances of a public health concern. Alleged infractions of the provisions and standards set forth will be investigated by an enforcing official in each case presented. Wherever there is a question as to the significance of an alleged infraction or the factual existence of an alleged infraction, the prudent judgment of the Health Officer or other enforcing official will prevail in the determination of a violation.
To desert, ignore, and fail to maintain a property in a safe, habitable condition.
The gathering together and increasing in amount over a period of time.
The residue from the burning of wood, coal or other combustible materials.
A potentially harmful object on or condition of the land that, by its features, tends to lure children or others.
The Borough Board of Health of the Borough of Pennington.
The Borough of Pennington, County of Mercer, and State of New Jersey.
As specified in the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code, N.J.A.C. 5:23-1 et seq.
The New Jersey Uniform Construction Code of N.J.A.C. 5:23-1 et seq.
Any activity which is not a residential use or activity and includes, but is not limited to, gasoline stations, retail sales, professional activities including but not limited to medical, dental, legal, architectural, accounting, etc., personal services including real estate, insurance, barbershops, hairdressers, nail salons, etc., nurseries, landscaping businesses, farm stands, repair shops of all kinds, and amusements including but not limited to movies, skating rinks, bowling alleys etc., whether part of a shopping area or not and any other nonresidential use or activity.
As defined in the Borough Zoning Ordinances and/or is any tract of land on which or on part of which commercial activity of any kind takes place.
A person engaged in any business or service, including construction, repairing, refurbishing, remodeling or the demolition of buildings or grounds within the Borough.
Any premises on which a structure has been erected or other improvements have been made.
As specified in the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code, N.J.A.C. 5:23-1 et seq.; Regulations for the Maintenance of Hotels and Multiple Dwellings, N.J.A.C. 5:10-1 et seq.; Regulations Governing Rooming and Boarding Houses, N.J.A.C. 5:27-1 et seq.; New Jersey State Housing Code, N.J.A.C. 5:28-1 et seq., as may be the case.
Includes the Health Officer, Registered Environmental Health Specialist, Animal Control Officer, Zoning Officer, Construction Official, Fire Official or other official authorized by the Borough Board of Health to enforce this article.
Any space located between property boundary lines of the tax lot in question or the boundaries of any contiguous tax lots and any structure on the property.
The control and elimination of insects, mice, rats and other pests by eliminating their harborage places; by removing or making inaccessible materials that serve as their food; by poison spraying, fumigating, and trapping or by any other approved pest elimination methods.
The structure is maintained in such a manner that there is no evidence of deterioration, or damaged or loose elements, and where appropriate, is capable of preventing the elements (rain, snow, wind) and rodents from entering the interior areas.
Wastes presenting a danger to health and safety by reason of their pathological, explosive, radiological or toxic characteristics.
The presence, within or contiguous to a structure or premises, of insects, mice, rats, vermin or other pests quantities large enough to constitute health threat.
Those insects that have public health significance for disease transmission, property damage, such as cockroaches, ticks, mosquitoes, lice, bedbugs and termites, etc.
Defined by the Noise Control Act or N.J.S.A. 13:1G, Noise Control Regulation N.J.A.C. 7:29 and the Model Noise Control Ordinance, or Pennington Borough Noise Ordinance and or any prohibitive activities in this article.
Any type of commercial, industrial or similar activity, whether or not operating for a profit, occupying premises within the Borough and creating solid waste in any form.
Any plant designated by a federal, state or county government as injurious to public health, agriculture, recreation, wildlife or property. A noxious weed may be native or nonnative, invasive or noninvasive, and may also be commonly defined as a plant that grows out of place and is competitive, persistent, and pernicious. Examples include but are not limited to ragweed, poison ivy or oak, thistle, and multiflora rose.
Defined as specified in the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code, N.J.A.C. 5:23-1 et seq.; Regulations for the Maintenance of Hotels and Multiple Dwellings, N.J.A.C. 5:10-1 et seq.; Regulations Governing Rooming and Boarding Houses, N.J.A.C. 5:27-1 et seq.; New Jersey State Housing Code, N.J.A.C. 5:28-1 et seq., as may be the case.
Defined as specified in the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code, N.J.A.C. 5:23-1 et seq.; Regulations for the Maintenance of Hotels and Multiple Dwellings, N.J.A.C. 5:10-1 et seq.; Regulations Governing Rooming and Boarding Houses, N.J.A.C. 5:27-1 et seq.; New Jersey State Housing Code, N.J.A.C. 5:28-1 et seq.; New Jersey Uniform Fire Code N.J.A.C. 5:70 et seq., as may be the case.
Includes an individual, firm, corporation, association, society, partnership, and their agents or employees.
A house or building, together with its land and outbuilding.
Any matters, conditions or things that cause worry, solicitude, or anxiety for the health, safety and welfare of the public due to their dangerous or unsanitary nature.
A room equipped with toilet facilities unarguably intended for public use in all public facilities and in establishments where commercial activity takes place.
Any person occupying or maintaining a place of residence within the Borough.
A dwelling unit, such as a home, condominium, trailer or a multifamily dwelling of two or more units.
Those rodents that have public health significance for disease transmission, property damage such as mice, rats, bats and other burrowing rodents, etc.
Any trash, garbage, junk, rubbish, refuse, litter, debris and other materials that when dumped, deposited, accumulated or abandoned create conditions of public health concern. This term shall include any animal or vegetable waste solids resulting from the handling, preparation, cooking or consumption of foods; discarded material such as glass, wood, yard debris, grass/brush clippings, stone, concrete, plastic, ashes, cloth, rags, paper, metal, tires, street cleanings, dead animals, manure, appliances, furniture, equipment, automobiles, solid market wastes, construction materials, industrial wastes, chemical wastes, recyclable materials and containers, and all discarded appliances.
Properly stored, are nonperishable materials stored for new construction or other items intended to be used within 30 days and are stored off the ground and maintained in such a manner that they do not provide habitat for insects or rodents.
The runoff, discharge or drainage of water from any premises or building which results in the accumulation of stagnant water. This subsection shall not apply to water retention areas and or reservoirs approved by the municipal engineer.
The growth, existence or presence of any noxious weeds of any height, or the growth, existence or presence of any other weeds or plant growth in excess of 10 inches. Weeds shall be defined as all grasses, annual plants and vegetation, other than trees or shrubs; provided, however, this term shall not include cultivated flowers, landscaped areas and gardens.
Editor's Note: See Ch. 215, Zoning.
Editor's Note: See Ch. 133, Noise.
Pollution or the existence of a condition or discharge or release which causes or threatens pollution of any surface water or subsurface water of the Borough.
The escape or entrance into open air/outdoor environment from any stack, vent, chimney, process or from any fire of such quantities and duration of smoke, fly ash, dust, fumes, vapors, mists, or gases that tend to be injurious to human health or welfare, animal or plant life or property, or would unreasonably interfere with the enjoyment of life or property throughout the Borough.
The growth, existence or presence of ragweed, of 10 inches in height or greater, or in such a quantity so as to cause damage or injury to adjacent properties or be a public health concern, on any plot of land, lot, highway, street, sidewalk, right-of-way or any other public or private place within 200 feet of an occupied dwelling.
The growth, existence or presence of poison ivy, of 10 inches in height or greater, or in such a quantity so as to cause damage or injury to adjacent properties or be a public health concern, within 20 feet of an adjoining property line of an occupied residential or commercial property, sidewalk or right-of-way.
The growth, existence or presence of any weeds or noxious weeds, of 10 inches in height or greater, or in such a quantity so as to cause damage or injury to adjacent properties or be a public health concern, on any approved residential or commercial property with the exception of approved state, county or local designated conservation areas or other restricted use areas. Subdivision lots approved but not issued a final certificate of occupancy are included.
All residential and commercial lawn areas are to be maintained and mowed and may not exceed 10 inches in height. Areas allowed to return to natural conditions must be approved by the Health Department per § 136-4 of this article.
The existence or presence of dead and dying trees or limbs on any land within 50 feet of an adjoining dwelling or within 20 feet of an adjoining residential property line.
Any dead or dying tree that harbors insects or rodents.
The presence on any plot of land, highway, street, right-of-way or any other public or private place of any solid waste, but excluding usable materials properly stored. The practice of composting shall not fall within the meaning of this subsection, provided that such compost pile, mound or area is maintained on one's own private property and is properly maintained so as not to present offensive odors, the breeding or harborage of flies or other insects, rodents, vermin or any other public health nuisance.
Depositing, dumping, accumulating, maintaining or otherwise allowing any matter or thing which serves as food for insects or rodents and to which they may have access or which serves or constitutes a breeding place or harborage for insects, rodents or pigeons of a public health significance in or on any land premises, building or other place.
The existence or presence of any accumulation of solid waste which may attract insects, rodents or other vermin and to which insects, rodents or other vermin may have access, or in which they may breed or dwell.
The existence or presence of any water or other liquid in which mosquito eggs, larvae or pupae exist or of any condition which allows water to lie, pond, stand or otherwise accumulate so as to provide a breeding environment for mosquitoes. The meaning of this subsection shall not apply to ponds where fish are adequately maintained so as to preclude the breeding of mosquitoes. This section shall not apply to fountains or swimming pools which maintain adequate circulation to preclude the breeding of mosquitoes.
The keeping of any animal or animals in such a manner as to cause or present a source of foulness, odors or breeding of insects, rodents or other vermin.
Any excavation, depression, hole, shaft, abandoned or unused well which is of such depth or dimension so as to present a hazard in terms of one falling into or being entrapped therein and which has not been adequately fenced or sealed so as to prevent injury or harm.
Any discarded refrigerator, cabinet, automobile or other piece of equipment, machinery, device or material which may offer or present an enclosure and a hazardous attraction to children or others which has not been properly sealed or discarded.
Any dead or dying trees or limbs in such proximity to a dwelling, building, street, sidewalk, pathway, right-of-way, thoroughfare, driveway, park, playground or other frequented area where the falling of the tree or part thereof would endanger life, threaten injury or damage property.
The willful abandonment of any domestic animal within the boundaries of the Borough.
Accumulation and storage of solid waste on any private or commercial property unless properly contained or stacked for disposal for 14 days or more.
Placement of solid wastes at curb for more than five days prior to the scheduled pickup date. All items must be removed after the fifth day if not collected due to weather or the fault of the hauler. Nonpayment of contractor for these services is not an acceptable reason for allowing items to remain.
Any sidewalk, walkways, driveway, parking spaces or similar area containing cracks, potholes, or other defect which creates a hazardous condition or which is obstructed by plant growth or other natural or artificial barrier.
The runoff, sump pump discharge or drainage of water from any premises or building which results in the accumulation of ice, stagnant water or discharges on public roadways or onto an adjoining property in an uncontrolled (via pipe or swale) manner without permission of adjoining property owner. This subsection shall not apply to water retention areas when properly maintained and cleaned of silt and debris and or reservoirs approved by the Borough officials.
Public restrooms shall be kept in good repair; all surfaces of fixtures, walls and floors are cleaned on a regular schedule and must be provided with running hot and cold water of adequate pressure per plumbing code. A supply of toilet paper, soap and hand drying supplies or equipment shall be provided at all times. Hand washing signs shall be posted.
It shall be unlawful for any person or persons to commit, maintain or allow any nuisance, as declared and described in this section.
Whenever cultivated farmland is no longer actively farmed and considered for development or conversion to preserved open space, there is a tendency to allow these lands to convert back or to go unmowed, to the extent that they are creating a public health nuisance with such condition including wildlife harborage and nuisance weeds problems for both adjoining residential lot owners and farmers. Therefore, these lands are to be stabilized with appropriate vegetation, pre-emergent weed control or mowed.
In residential subdivisions, the owner, tenant or occupant of lands may make an application to the Health Department to allow land to revert back to its natural condition, but in such a manner that will not allow for the establishment of noxious weeds or rodent harborage. Reforesting with one-half to two-inch diameter or larger assorted pines and hardwood trees is recommended. Wildflower areas are to be maintained and mowed annually.
The application will require submission of a survey of the subject land.
The plan must be consistent with recommendation of the Horticulturist from Rutgers Cooperative Research and Extension of Mercer County.
It shall be unlawful for the owner of any building to allow occupancy as a residence which is not in compliance the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code, N.J.A.C. 5:23-1 et seq.; Regulations for the Maintenance of Hotels and Multiple Dwellings, N.J.A.C. 5:10-1 et seq.; Regulations Governing Rooming and Boarding Houses, N.J.A.C. 5:27-1 et seq.; New Jersey State Housing Code, N.J.A.C. 5:28-1 et seq., as may be the case.
It shall be unlawful for the owner of any building to allow occupancy as a business, commercial or industrial establishment which is not in compliance with the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code, N.J.A.C. 5:23-1 et seq. and/or where the New Jersey Department of Labor and Industry or the United States Occupational Safety and Health Act provides otherwise.
All places and premises in this Borough shall be subject to inspection by the Health Officer or other enforcing official if that official has reason to believe that any section of this article is being violated.
It shall be unlawful for any person to hinder, obstruct, delay, resist or prevent the Board of Health or other enforcing official upon presentation of identification from having full access to any place or premises upon which a violation of this code is believed to exist. In the event that entry to any place or premises is denied by any owner or tenant, the enforcing official shall obtain the appropriate warrant for entry through the Municipal Court.
Whenever a nuisance as declared by § 136-3 of this article is found on any plot of land, lot, right-of-way or any other premises or place, a violation shall be given to the owner, in writing, to remove or abate the same within such time as shall be specified therein but not less than five days from the date of service thereof. Notice to the owner of the violation and the time to abate, shall be deemed complete as of the date of the violation notice if served personally on the property owner. Notice to the owner of the violation and the time to abate shall be deemed complete three days after the date on the violation notice, if served by regular first class mail, or posted at or on the subject premises. If the owner resides out of state or cannot be notified speedily, such notices shall be left at the place or premises with the tenant or occupant or posted on the premises, and such action shall be considered proper notification to the owner, tenant or occupant. Notice to the owner, tenant or occupant of the violation and the time to abate shall be deemed complete as of the date of the violation notice, if served personally on the tenant or occupant. Notice of the violation and the time to abate shall be deemed complete three days after the date on the violation notice, if served by regular first class mail, or posted at or on the subject premises.
Whenever a nuisance as declared by § 136-3 of this article is found on any public property or on any highway or any other public premises or place, notice in writing shall be given to the person in charge to remove or abate the same within such time as shall be specified therein.
The cost of abatement shall be borne by the property owner.
If such person fails to comply with such notice within the time specified therein, the Health Officer or other enforcing official may remove, abate or cause the cleanup of the nuisance in the manner as hereinafter provided.
Regardless of how costs are actually recovered, they shall be in addition to and shall not affect the imposition of any penalties for the violation of this article.
The provisions of this article shall be enforced by the Health Officer or other enforcing officials as defined herein. Enforcement shall be in the municipal court having jurisdiction over proceedings to enforce and collect any penalty imposed because of a violation of any provision of this article. The proceedings shall be summary and in accordance with the Penalty Enforcement Law (N.J.S.A. 2A:58-1 et seq.). Process shall be in the nature of a summons or warrant and shall be issued by those authorized by the local Board of Health.
Editor's Note: N.J.S.A. 2A:58-1 through 2A:58-9 were repealed by L. 1999, c. 274, § 4. See now N.J.S.A. 2A:58-10 et seq.
Maximum penalty. Any person who shall violate any provision of this article shall, upon conviction thereof, be punishable by one or more of the following: a fine not exceeding $2,000 or imprisonment for a period not exceeding 90 days or to a period of community service not exceeding 90 days at the discretion of the Judge of the Municipal Court.
Separate violations. Except as otherwise provided, every day in which a violation of any provision of this article or any other ordinance of the Borough exists shall constitute a separate violation.
Minimum penalty. The Borough Committee may prescribe that, for the violation of any particular code provision or ordinance, at least a minimum penalty shall be imposed which shall consist of a fine which may be fixed at an amount not exceeding $100.
The property has been determined to be a nuisance by the public officer in accordance with the standards set forth at N.J.S.A. 55:19-82.
A property which contains both residential and nonresidential space may be considered abandoned pursuant to N.J.S.A. 55:19-78 et seq. so long as two-thirds or more of the total net square footage of the building was previously legally occupied as residential space and none of the residential space has been legally occupied for at least six months at the time of the determination of abandonment by the public officer and the property meets the criteria of either Subsection A(1) or (4) of this definition.
Property determined to be abandoned property as defined herein and in the Abandoned Properties Rehabilitation Act, N.J.S.A. 55:19-78 et seq., shall also be deemed to be vacant property.
Includes the title holder, any agent of the title holder having authority to act with respect to a vacant property, any foreclosing entity subject to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 46:10B-51, or any other entity determined by the Borough of Pennington to have authority to act with respect to the property.
In addition to any property determined to be an abandoned property, any building used or to be used as a residence which is not legally occupied or at which substantially all lawful construction operations or residential occupancy has ceased for a period of at least three months, and any commercial property that has not been legally occupied or at which substantially all lawful construction operations have ceased for a period of at least three months. Any property that contains all building systems in working order, is being maintained on a regular basis, has not been cited by the Borough for any violation of municipal ordinance within such time and is being actively marketed by its owner for sale or rental shall not be deemed vacant.
The owner of any vacant property as defined herein shall, within three days after the building becomes vacant property or within 30 days after assuming ownership of the vacant property, whichever is later, file a registration statement for each such vacant property with the Borough Construction Code Official on forms provided by that office for such purposes. The registration shall remain valid until the end of the calendar year. The owner shall be required to renew the registration annually, no later than January 31, as long as the building remains vacant property and shall pay a registration or renewal fee in the amount prescribed in Chapter 98 of the Borough Code for each vacant property registered.
Any owner of a building that meets the definition of a vacant property prior to the effective date of this article shall file a registration statement for that property on or before 30 days from the effective date of this article. The registration statement shall include the information required under this article as well as any additional information that the Construction Code Official may reasonably require.
The owner shall notify the Construction Code Official within 30 days of any change in the registration information by filing an amended registration statement on a form provided by the Construction Code Official for such purpose.
The registration statement shall be deemed prima facie proof of the statements therein contained in any administrative enforcement proceeding or court proceeding instituted by the Borough of Pennington against the owner or owners of the building.
The registration statement shall include the name, street address, email address and telephone number of a natural person 21 years of age or older, designated by the owner or owners as the authorized agent for receiving notices of code violations and for receiving process in any court proceeding or administrative enforcement proceeding, on behalf of such owner or owners in connection with the enforcement of any applicable code. The designated agent must have a contact number that will be available 24 hours per day on an emergency basis. The statement shall also include the name of the person responsible for maintaining and securing the property, if different from the designated agent. An owner who is a natural person and who meets the requirements of this article as to availability of a contact number on a twenty-four-hour emergency basis may designate himself or herself as agent.
By designating an authorized agent, the owner consents to receive any and all notices of code violations concerning the registered vacant property and all process in any court proceeding or administrative enforcement proceeding brought to enforce code provisions concerning the registered building by service of the notice or process on the authorized agent. Any owner who has designated an authorized agent under the provisions of this article shall be deemed to consent to the continuation of the agent's designation for the purpose of this article until the owner notifies the Borough of Pennington of a change of the authorized agent or until the owner files a new annual registration statement. The designation of an authorized agent in no way releases the owner from any requirement of this article.
After filing a registration statement or a renewal of a registration statement, the owner of any vacant property shall provide access to the Construction Code Official if requested, following reasonable notice, during the period covered by the initial registration or any subsequent renewal. If an inspection is required of the interior of the property due to complaints or other cause, the fee for such inspection shall be the same as that for a certificate of occupancy inspection as provided in Chapter 98 of the Borough Code.
The registration fee for each building, initially and annually, is set forth in Chapter 98 of the Borough Code.
Any owner who is not in full compliance with this article or who otherwise violates any provision of this article or of the rules and regulations issued hereunder shall be subject to a fine of not less than $500 and not more than $1,000 for each offense. Every day that a violation continues shall constitute a separate and distinct offense. Fines assessed under this article shall be recoverable from the owner and shall be a lien on the property.
For purposes of this article, failure to file a registration statement in time, failure to provide correct information on the registration statement, failure to comply with the provisions of § 136-17, or such other matters as may be established by the rules and regulations of the Borough shall be deemed to be in violation of this article.
If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or portion of this article is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, such portion shall be deemed a separate, distinct and independent provision, and such holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions hereof.

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