Borough of Fort Lee, NJ Article II Removal of Trees and Obnoxious Growths

[Derived from Ch. X, Sec. 10-8, of the 1978 Code]

§ 155-6 Notice to remove.

Whenever it shall be determined by the Building Subcode Official that there exists a condition on lands lying within the borough hazardous or injurious to the public health, safety or general welfare by reason of any brush, weeds, dead or dying trees, stumps, roots, obnoxious growth, filth, garbage, trash or debris located on such lands, he may thereupon give notice, by certified or registered mail, to the owner or tenant of the lands to destroy or remove the brush, weeds, dead or dying trees, stumps, roots, obnoxious growths, filth, garbage, trash or debris within 10 days after receipt of the notice.

§ 155-7 Owner fails to remove; removal by borough.

If, after 10 days after receipt of the notice as provided in § 155-6, the owner or tenant shall have refused or neglected to destroy or remove the brush, weeds, dead or dying trees, stumps, roots, obnoxious growths, filth, garbage, trash or debris, the Building Subcode Official shall undertake the destruction or removal of same by such means and method as he deems necessary and appropriate and shall certify the cost thereof to the Borough Council, which shall examine the certificate and, if found correct, shall cause the cost as shown thereon to be charged against the lands. The amount so charged shall forthwith become a lien upon such lands and shall be added to and become and form part of the taxes next to be assessed and levied upon such lands, the same to bear interest at the same rate as other taxes, and shall be collected and enforced by the same officers and in the same manner as taxes.

§ 155-8 Clear view at intersections required.

Whenever it shall be determined by the Chief of Police that there exists upon lands lying within the borough a condition hazardous to the public safety by reason of any trees, brushes, hedges or other plant life growing within 10 feet of any roadway or within 25 feet of the intersection of two roadways, he may thereupon give notice, by certified or registered mail, to the owner or tenant of these lands to cut the trees, brushes, hedges or other plant life to a height of not more than 2 1/2 feet.

§ 155-9 Owner neglects to remove brush; borough to remove; costs to become lien.

If, after 10 days from the receipt of the notice as provided in § 155-8, the owner or tenant of the lands shall have refused or neglected to cut the trees, brushes, hedges or other plant life in the manner provided, the Superintendent of Public Works shall undertake the cutting of the trees, brushes, hedges or other plant life and shall certify the cost thereof to the Borough Council, which shall examine the certificate and, if found correct, to cause the cost as shown thereon to be charged against such lands or in the event that such cost is excessive to cause the reasonable cost thereof to be charged against the lands. The amount so charged shall forthwith become a lien upon the lands and shall be added to and become and form part of the taxes next to be assessed and levied upon such lands, the same to bear interest at the same rate as other taxes, and shall be collected and enforced by the same officers and in the same manner as taxes.