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Borough of Chester, NJ
Morris County
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Code
New Laws (25) Index Notes (1)
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Chester 5-17-2005 by Ord. No. 2005-8. This ordinance also repealed former Ch. 225, Vehicles and Traffic, adopted 4-3-1980 as Ch. VII of the 1980 Code, as amended. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Limousine and livery service — See Ch. 168.
Parking and fire zones — See Ch. 175.
Towing — See Ch. 214.
A. 
Words and phrases. Whenever any words and phrases are used in this chapter, the meanings respectively ascribed to them in Subtitle 1 of Title 39 of the Revised Statutes of the State of New Jersey shall be deemed to apply to such words and phrases used herein.
B. 
Official time standard. Whenever certain hours are named in this chapter, they shall mean either Eastern Standard Time or Eastern Daylight Savings Time as may be in current use.
A. 
The Chief of Police of this municipality is hereby authorized to provide by regulation for the closing of any street or portion thereof to motor vehicle traffic on any day or days whenever he finds that such closing is necessary for the preservation of the public safety, health or welfare.
B. 
Any street closure in accordance with Subsection A above, shall provide for the posting of proper warning signs of such closing on any street or portion thereof during the time the same is closed in pursuance thereof.
C. 
Any request by an individual or entity to close any street or portion thereof to motor vehicle traffic on any day or days for a planned event must be submitted to the governing body of the Borough of Chester for approval a minimum of 30 days prior to the date of the requested closure.
D. 
Any violation of this regulation promulgated hereunder shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $100.
E. 
Any regulation adopted that mandates the closing of any street for a period greater than 48 consecutive hours shall not become effective unless and until it has been submitted to and approved by the Commissioner of the Department of Transportation.
Any vehicle parked in violation of this chapter shall be deemed a nuisance and a menace to the safe and proper regulation of traffic, and any police officer may provide for the removal of such vehicle. The owner shall bear the reasonable costs of removal and storage which may result from such removal before regaining possession of the vehicle.
Unless another penalty is expressly provided by New Jersey Statute, every person convicted of a violation of a provision of this chapter or any supplement thereto shall be liable to a penalty of not more than $100 or imprisonment for term not exceeding 15 days, or both.
If any part or parts of this chapter are, for any reason, held to be invalid, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this chapter.
All former traffic ordinances of the Borough of Chester are hereby repealed, and all ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict with or inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter are hereby repealed, except that this repeal shall not affect or prevent the prosecution or punishment of any person for any act done or committed in violation of any ordinance hereby repealed prior to the taking effect of this chapter.
[Amended 10-5-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-16]
A. 
Purpose. The purpose of this section is to address problems of traffic control occurring when traffic must be moved through and around road or street construction, maintenance operations and utility work, above or below ground, which require blocking the roadway and/or obstructing the normal flow of traffic, and that such obstructions are or can become dangerous when not properly controlled. In order to better promote the public health, safety, peace and welfare, it is necessary to establish controls and regulations directed to the safe and expeditious movement of traffic through construction and maintenance zones and to provide safety for those performing such operations.
B. 
Adoption of standards. The Borough of Chester hereby adopts the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), as amended, and supplemented from time to time and except as hereby explicitly or implicitly amended and supplemented, as it controls and regulates whenever construction, maintenance operations or utility work obstructs the normal flow of traffic. Any person, utility or contractor failing to comply with the provisions of the MUTCD while performing such work is in violation of this section.
C. 
Definitions. For the purposes of this section, the following terms shall have the meanings herein set forth:
CHIEF OF POLICE
The Chief of the Chester Police Department or his/her designee.
CONTRACTOR
Construction companies, excavators, land developers and any and all persons connected with construction affecting traffic conditions, including the owner and/or resident of the affected property.
ROADWAY or STREET
Any road, highway, public way, public alley, easement or other right-of-way over which the public travels or to which the public has access, whether publicly or privately maintained and/or owned, including dedicated but unaccepted subdivision streets, situated within the Borough of Chester.
D. 
Preconstruction meeting. It shall be the responsibility of a contractor wishing to work, below, on or above any roadway to contact the Chief of Police to arrange a preconstruction meeting to submit plans for the safe movement of traffic during the period of construction work. Failure to comply with this section prior to the start of work or working without approval of the traffic plan by the Chief of Police is a violation of this section.
E. 
Information to be provided. Prior to the start of any work, the contractor shall provide to the Chief of Police, with sufficient copies for the project engineer, the Superintendent of Public Works, and the Borough Administrator, at least two emergency phone numbers to be called in case of emergency problems at the work site. If the emergency contacts cannot be reached or, after being reached, fail to respond to a call from the police to correct a hazardous condition, the Borough may correct such condition and assess the reasonable cost of same to the contractor.
F. 
Hours of operation. No construction, maintenance operations or utility work shall be conducted below, on or above any heavily traveled roadway before the hour of 9:00 a.m. or after the hour of 4:00 p.m., except that in emergency situations or when traffic volumes dictate, the Chief of Police may modify or waive such limits. On all other streets, hours of operation shall be from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
G. 
Consent required. Notwithstanding any other paragraph of this section, no roadway shall be closed, nor any detour established without the prior consent of the Chief of Police, who, after consultation with the Superintendent of Public Works and the project engineer, shall specify the times and dates for the closing and reopening of the roadway, and no deviation therefrom shall be permitted. Requests for roadway closings or detours must be made no fewer than 72 hours in advance, except that where any emergency exists, such closings or detours may be approved immediately at the sole discretion of the Chief of Police.
H. 
Traffic directors. Traffic directors shall be posted at all construction or maintenance sites when it is determined by the Chief of Police that the same are necessary to provide for safety and the expeditious movement of traffic. In any instance where it is necessary to change the direction of any vehicle or pedestrian, a uniformed police officer shall be required, the same to be provided at the expense of the contractor.
I. 
Stop-work orders. The Chief of Police shall have the authority to stop work and/or order the removal of vehicles and/or equipment and/or stored materials in the right-of-way, backfilling of open excavations and/or any related work in order to abate any nuisance, traffic delay or safety hazard or any violation of this section.
J. 
Emergency work. In case of an emergency where construction, maintenance or utility work must be performed and where such work will obstruct, interfere with or detour traffic on any roadway within the Borough, the contractor shall immediately notify the Chief of Police of the nature of the emergency, the location thereof and the hours of work. All such emergency work will be performed with full regard to safety and the absolute minimization of traffic interference.
K. 
Signs. All signing and other traffic control devices shall be placed on self-supporting structures and shall not be affixed to trees, utility poles or traffic devices which are the property of the Borough. All signs and other traffic control devices shall conform to the MUTCD, current edition. All signs and other traffic control devices shall be kept clean and distinct and free from grease, dust, or other blurring matter so as to be plainly visible at all times of the day or night. No signs or other traffic control devices shall be permitted to be obscured by trees or parked vehicles.
L. 
Diagram of proposed devices. At the time of the preconstruction meeting, the types of proposed traffic control devices to be utilized for the project shall be shown by a diagram and a written list. A copy of the diagram as approved by the Chief of Police shall be maintained by the contractor at all times at the job site for possible review.
M. 
Violations and penalties. A violation of any section of this section shall be punishable in municipal court, upon conviction thereof, by a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $1,000 or imprisonment for not more than 90 days, or both. Each day upon which a violation occurs shall be deemed a separate offense, and violation of more than one subsection of this section shall constitute separate violations.
Regulations not exclusive. The provisions of this chapter imposing a time limit on parking shall not relieve any person of the duty to observe other more restrictive provisions prohibiting or limiting the stopping or standing or parking of vehicles as set forth in N.J.S.A. 39:4-138, any other New Jersey Statute or as hereinafter provided.
A. 
Upon the declaration of an emergency, there shall be no parking upon the streets where temporary EMERGENCY NO PARKING signs are displayed. The Chief of Police or, in his absence, the ranking police officer is authorized to declare an emergency and to direct the posting of EMERGENCY NO PARKING signs when weather conditions, accidents, road construction, fire or public celebrations dictate or require avoidance of hazards or other conditions which interfere with the free flow of traffic. Notification that EMERGENCY NO PARKING signs are being or will be posted shall be given to the operator or owner of any vehicle which has been parked prior to the posting of the signs.
B. 
The enforcement of this section is contingent upon the signs being erected as required by law.
[Amended 7-6-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-21]
A. 
Whenever snow has fallen and the accumulation is such that it covers the streets and highways, an emergency shall exist and no vehicle shall be parked on the streets or highways or portions thereof indicated below. The above parking prohibitions shall remain in effect after the snow has ceased until the streets have been plowed sufficiently and to the extent that parking will not interfere with the normal flow of traffic.
B. 
Any unoccupied vehicle parked or standing in violation shall be deemed a nuisance and a menace to the safe and proper regulation of traffic, and any police officer may provide for the removal of such vehicle. The owner shall pay the reasonable costs of the removal and storage, which may result from such removal before regaining possession of the vehicle.
Name of Street
Sides
All streets
Both
Unless otherwise permitted by the Borough police, no person shall stop or stand a vehicle between the hours specified on any day upon any of the streets or parts of streets described.
Name of Street
Sides
Hours
Location
All streets*
Both
12:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m.
* From November 15 to April 1
No person shall park a vehicle for longer than the time limit between the hours listed on any day (except Sundays and public holidays) upon any of the streets or parts of streets described.
Name of Street
Side(s)
Time Limit
Location
Sentry Lane
West
15 minutes
Entire length
No person shall cause or permit to be parked any motor vehicle upon any street between the specified hours and days described.
Name of Street
Sides
Hours and Days
Location
(RESERVED)
No person shall park or stand a vehicle at any time upon any streets or parts thereof described. (Note: Measurement from referenced streets is from nearest curbline.)
Name of Street
Sides
Location
Budd Avenue
South
From Grove Street to Orange Street
Cole Court
Both
From Main Street (CR 513), north for 500 feet
Collis Lane
West
From Ammerman Way, south for 1,450 feet
East Main Street (CR 510)
Both
From Main Street (CR 513) to the Chester Borough/Chester Township corporate line
Fairmount Avenue
Both
Entire length, including cul-de-sac
Grove Street
West
From Main Street (CR 513), south for 75 feet
Hillside Road
West
From Main Street (CR 513) to the Chester Borough/Chester Township corporate line
Hillside Road
East
From Main Street (CR 513), north for 50 feet
Hillside Road
East
From Hedges Road to the Chester Borough/Chester Township corporate line
Main Street (CR 513)
Both
From Hillside Avenue, east for 178 feet
Main Street (CR 513)
North
From Oakdale Road, west for 1,600 feet
Main Street (CR 513)
North
From Hillside Road, west for 40 feet
Main Street (CR 513)
North
Beginning 400 feet west of Hillside Road, west to SH 206.
Main Street (CR 513)
South
From SH 206, east for 250 feet
Main Street (CR 513)
South
From Warren Street to Grove Street
Main Street (CR 513)
South
Beginning 400 feet west of Sentry Lane, east to East Main Street (CR 513)
Maple Avenue
Both
Seminary Avenue to SH Route 206
Maple Avenue
South
From Grove Street to Seminary Avenue
North Road (CR 513)
Both
From East Main Street (CR 510) to the Chester Borough/Chester Township corporate line
Oakdale Road
Both
From Main Street (CR513), to the Chester Borough/Chester Township corporate line
Old Gladstone Road
Both
From SH Route 206 to the Chester Borough/Chester Township corporate line
Seminary Avenue
Both
From Fairmount Avenue to Main Street (CR 513)
Sentry Lane
East
Entire length
Warren Street
East
Entire length
Warren Street
West
From Main Street (CR 513) south for 165 feet
West Main Street (CR 513)
Both
From SH 206 to the Chester Borough/Chester Township corporate line
No person shall park a vehicle between the hours specified any day (except Sundays and public holidays) upon any of the streets or parts of streets described.
Name of Street
Sides
Hours
Location
(RESERVED)
No person shall park any truck or vehicle over ______ tons gross vehicle weight (GVW), a school bus, any other type of bus, recreational vehicle, camper, boat or trailer between the hours specified upon any of the streets or parts of streets described.
Name of Street
Sides
Hours
Location
(RESERVED)
No person shall park a vehicle on streets or parts of streets as described within the following sections unless an appropriate and current parking permit as issued by the Borough of Chester is displayed on said vehicle for those streets or parts of streets as described or listed within the following sections.
Street
Location
Hours
Days
(RESERVED)
The following streets or parts of streets are hereby established as angle parking at an angle so indicated below.
Name of Street
Side(s)
Angle
Location
(RESERVED)
Pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 39:4-140, the streets or parts of streets described are hereby designated as "through streets." Stop signs shall be installed on the near right side of each street intersecting the through street except where yield signs are provided for in the designation.
Name of Street
Limit
Ammerman Way
Between Hillside Road and its westerly intersection with Cedar Tree Lane
Budd Avenue
Between Fairmount Avenue and Grove Street
Grove Street
Between Fairmount Avenue and Main Street (CR513)
Hillside Road
Between Main Street (CR 513) and the Chester Borough/Chester Township corporate line
Maple Avenue
Between SH Route 206 and Grove Street
Oakdale Road
Between Main Street (CR 513) and the Chester Borough/Chester Township corporate line
Seminary Avenue/ Fairmount Avenue
1. Between Main Street (CR513) and Maple Avenue
2. Between Maple Avenue and its easterly terminus
Pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 39:4-140, the intersections described are hereby designated as "stop intersections." Stop signs shall be installed as provided therein.
Intersection
Stop Sign(s) On:
Cedar Tree Lane and Ammerman Way (westerly intersection)
Ammerman Way
Collis Lane and Cedar Tree Lane
Cedar Tree Lane
Melville Place and Wheeler Road
Melville Place
Orchard Lane and Valley View Road
Orchard Lane
Pleasant Hill Road and Valley View Road
Valley View Road
Ridge Road and Wheeler Road
Wheeler Road
Sawyze Lane and Elm Street
Swayze Lane
[Amended 10-18-2005 by Ord. No. 2005-18]
Pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 39:4-140, the intersections herein described are designated as "multi-way stop intersections." Stop signs shall be installed as provided herein.
Intersection
Stop Signs On:
Maple Avenue and Seminary Avenue
[Added 3-18-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-4]
Each corner of intersection (4-way stop)
Pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 39:4-140, the intersections described are hereby designated as "yield intersections." Yield signs shall be installed as provided therein.
Intersection
Yield Sign(s) On:
(RESERVED)
The following described streets or parts of streets are hereby designated as "one-way streets" in the direction indicated. Parking on these streets will be permitted on the sides indicated below.
Name of Street
Direction
Limits
Parking Permitted
Warren Street
South
Between Main Street (CR 513) and Maple Avenue
West side
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:67-16.1, the streets or parts of streets as described are hereby designated as "routes for vehicles over ______ tons." All trucks having a total combined gross vehicle weight (GVW) of vehicle plus load in excess of ______ tons shall be excluded from all streets, except from those streets listed, which form a part of the system of truck routes. Vehicles will be permitted on all streets for the purpose of the pickup and delivery of materials.
Name of Street
Location
(RESERVED)
Vehicles over the registered gross vehicle weight (GVW) are hereby excluded from the streets or parts of streets described except for the pickup and delivery of materials on such streets.
Name of Street
Tons
Location
Acorn Trail
4
Entire length
Ammerman Way
4
Entire length
Collis Lane
4
Entire length
Melville Place
4
Entire length
Ridge Road
4
Entire length
Wheeler Road
4
Entire length
No person shall turn at the below described location as indicated.
Intersection
Turn Prohibited
Movement Prohibited
(RESERVED)
No person shall make a turn at the below listed location other than a right turning movement.
Intersection
Movement Permitted
(RESERVED)
No person shall make a right turn on the red signal at any location listed:
Intersection
Movement Prohibited
Main Street (CR 513) and Oakdale Road
West onto Main Street (CR 513) from Oakdale Road
The following locations are hereby established as "mid-block crosswalks."
Name of Street
Location
Larch Drive
Beginning at a point 439 feet east of the easterly curbline of Seward Lane and extending 24 feet easterly therefrom
Main Street (CR 513)
Beginning 140 feet east of Hillside Road and extending10 feet easterly therefrom
West Main Street (CR 513)
Beginning 2040 feet east of the easterly curbline of Chesterfield Drive and extending to a point 10 feet easterly therefrom
The lane locations described are designated as "lane use reservations" and traffic shall move as indicated.
Intersection or Location
Movement
(RESERVED)
The lane locations described are hereby designated as "exclusive lanes" for use by certain vehicles as indicated.
Name of Street
Type of Vehicle
Direction
Limits
(RESERVED)
The lane locations described, are hereby designated as "bicycle lanes." Bicycle lanes shall be a minimum of four feet in width, pursuant to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways.
Name of Street
Side
Lane Width
Limits
(RESERVED)
A. 
The speed limits for both directions of traffic along all municipally owned streets and roads, or parts thereof in the Borough shall be 25 mph.
[Amended 11-4-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-19]
B. 
Regulatory and warning signs shall be erected and maintained to affect the above-designated speed limits.
No passing zones are hereby established and shall be maintained upon the following described streets or parts thereof:
Name of Street
Sketch No.
Sketch
Date
Approval
Date
Hillside Road
DOT, 10-18-1989
Resolution, 9-5-1989
North Road (CR 513)
NPZ 3628
8-28-1997
DOT, 3-5-1998
Oakdale Road
DOT, 11-10-1983
Old Gladstone Road
NPZ 3531
1-22-1993
1-26-1993
Pleasant Hill Road
NPZ 597A
8-8-1973
7-20-1984 AND 9-17-1973
The locations described are hereby designated as "bus stops." No vehicle other than an omnibus picking up or discharging passengers shall be permitted to occupy said location between the hours indicated.
Name of Street
Hours
(RESERVED)
The locations described are hereby designated as "articulated bus stops." No vehicle other than an omnibus picking up or discharging passengers shall be permitted to occupy said location between the hours indicated.
Name of Street
Hours
(RESERVED)
The locations described are hereby designated as "loading zones." No person shall park a vehicle in said location during the times indicated other than for the loading or unloading of goods and materials.
Name of Street
Time
Side(s)
Location
(RESERVED)
(Note: Minimum length for all loading zones is 50 feet. No loading zone may be established in any area where it is prohibited to stand or park by statute. N.J.S.A. 39:4-138.)
The locations described are hereby designated as "taxistands." No vehicle other than a taxi shall be permitted to occupy said locations during the times indicated.
Street
Location
Hours
(RESERVED)
A. 
Handicapped parking on streets. In accordance with the provisions of N.J.S.A. 39:4-197, the following street locations are designated as "handicapped parking spaces." Such spaces are for use by persons who have been issued special identification cards or plates or placards by the Division of Motor Vehicles or a temporary placard issued by the Chief of Police. No other person shall be permitted to park in these spaces.
Street
Location
(RESERVED)
B. 
Handicapped parking on streets for private residences. In accordance with the provisions of N.J.S.A. 39:4-197.6, the following on-street locations are designated as "handicapped parking" spaces in front of private residences occupied by handicapped persons. Such spaces are for use by persons who have been issued special identification cards or plates or placards by the Division of Motor Vehicles or a temporary placard issued by the Chief of Police. No other person shall be permitted in these spaces.
Street
Permit Number
Location
(RESERVED)
C. 
Handicapped parking in municipal parking lots and Board of Education property. In accordance with the provisions of N.J.S.A. 39:4-1 and 39:4-197 the following off-street parking yards and Board of Education property are designated as "handicapped parking" areas. Such spaces are for use by persons who have been issued special identification cards, plates or placards issued by the Division of Motor Vehicles or a temporary placard issued by the Chief of Police. No other person shall be permitted to park in these areas.
Property
Number of Spaces
Location
(RESERVED)
D. 
Handicapped parking on private property open to the public and to which the public is invited (retail business). In accordance with the provisions of N.J.S.A. 40:48-2.46, the following off-street parking yards are designated as "handicapped parking" areas. Such spaces are for use by persons who have been issued special identification cards, plates or placards by the Division of Motor Vehicles or a temporary placard issued by the Chief of Police. No other person shall be permitted to park in these spaces.
Property
Number of Spaces
Location
(RESERVED)
E. 
Handicapped parking on all other private property. In accordance with the provisions of N.J.S.A. 39:5A-1, the following off-street parking locations are designated as "handicapped parking." Such spaces are for use by persons who have been issued special identification cards, plates or placards by the Division of Motor Vehicles or a temporary placard issued by the Chief of Police. No other person shall be permitted to park in these spaces.
Property
Number of Spaces
Location
(RESERVED)
F. 
Handicapped parking on municipal parks. In accordance with the provisions of N.J.S.A. 39:5A-4, the following off-street parking locations are designated as "handicapped parking." Such spaces are for use by persons who have been issued special identification cards, plates or placards by the Division of Motor Vehicles or a temporary placard issued by the Chief of Police. No other person shall be permitted to park in these spaces.
Property
Number of Spaces
Location
(RESERVED)
G. 
Handicapped parking on postal properties. In accordance with 40 U.S.C. 318B and a written request from the postmaster, the following off-street locations are hereby designated as "handicapped parking," pursuant to P.L.1989 c.201(1), effective 6-1-1990. Such spaces are for use by persons who have been issued special identification cards, plates or placards by the Division of Motor Vehicles or a temporary placard issued by the Chief of Police. No other person shall be permitted to park in these spaces.
Property
Number of Spaces
Location
(RESERVED)
H. 
Signs, pavement markings, installation and maintenance. The owners of the premises referred to Subsections C, D and G shall provide and install signs and pavement markings for each parking space reserved for the use of handicapped persons, which signs and markings shall be in accordance with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways. The cost of procurement and installation of the signs and pavement markings shall be the responsibility of the owner said property. The owner shall, subsequent to initial procurement and installation, maintain such signs and pavement markings in good condition at no cost or expense to the Borough of Chester. The owner shall be responsible for the repair and restoration of same.
A. 
Regulation for the movement and the parking of traffic on municipal property and Board of Education property. In accordance with the provisions N.J.S.A. 39:4-197, the following municipal and Board of Education property shall have the movement of traffic controlled by the type of regulation indicated. No person shall operate, or park a vehicle in violation of the regulations indicated.
(RESERVED)
B. 
Regulation for the movement and the parking of traffic on private property open to the public and to which the public is invited (retail business).
(RESERVED)
C. 
Regulation for the movement and the parking of traffic on all other private property. In accordance with the provisions of N.J.S.A. 39:5A-1, the regulations of Subtitle 1, Title 39 of the Revised Statutes are hereby made applicable to the properties listed below.
(RESERVED)
D. 
Regulation for the movement and the parking of traffic on municipal park property. In accordance with the provisions of N.J.S.A. 39:5A-4, the regulations of Subtitle 1, Title 39 of the Revised Statutes are hereby made applicable to the properties listed below.
(RESERVED)
E. 
Regulation for the movement and the parking of traffic on United States Post Office property. In accordance with 40 U.S.C. 318B and a written request from the Postmaster, the following various traffic regulations are hereby made applicable to the properties listed below, as follows. No person shall operate or park a vehicle in violation of the regulations listed below.
Property
Regulations
(RESERVED)
F. 
Signs, pavement markings, installation and maintenance. The owners of the premises referred to in Subsections B and E shall provide and install signs and pavement markings as required, which signage and markings shall be in accordance with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways. The cost for the procurement and installation of signs and pavement markings shall be the responsibility of the owner of said property. The owner shall, subsequent to initial procurement and installation, maintain such signs and pavement markings in good condition at no cost or expense to the Borough of Chester. The owner shall be responsible for the repair and restoration or replacement of same.