[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of Readington 10-5-1992.
Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Uniform construction codes — See Ch. 96.
Fire prevention — See Ch. 123.
Hotels, motels and other rental units — See Ch. 135.
Housing standards — See Ch. 138.
Land development — See Ch. 148.
Littering — See Ch. 152.
Solid waste — See Ch. 200.
Trailers and trailer parks — See Ch. 219.
Garbage, rubbish and rubbish — See Ch. 257.
Sanitation — See Ch. 265.
The purpose of this chapter is to protect the public health, safety
and welfare of the citizens of this township from dangerous or hazardous conditions
caused by properties or structures upon properties which are unoccupied or
empty and have fallen into a state of disrepair or neglect.
For the purposes of this chapter, the following definitions are created
and shall apply:
A structure, building, dwelling or other component of building materials
whose valid construction permit or temporary certificate of occupancy has
expired as per N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.16(b) and 5:23-2.23(c).
Discarded waste or litter or the remnants of such waste, including
but not limited to remnants or waste of construction materials.
An abandoned structure or property which meets any one or more of
the following criteria:
The physical condition or the use of any premises in a manner which
would be regarded as a public nuisance at common law;
Any physical condition, use or occupancy of any premises or appurtenances
thereto which would be regarded as an attractive nuisance to children, including
but not limited to abandoned wells, shafts, basements, excavations and unsafe
fences or structures;
Any premises which has unsanitary sewerage or plumbing facilities;
Any premises designated as unsafe for human habitation or use;
Any premises which is manifestly capable of being a fire hazard or are
manifestly unsafe or unsecured as to endanger life, limb or property;
Any premises from which the plumbing, heating and/or facilities required
by this code have been removed, or from which utilities have been disconnected,
destroyed, removed or rendered ineffective, or the required precautions against
trespassers have not been provided;
Any premises which is unsanitary or which is littered with rubbish or
garbage or which has an uncontrolled growth of weeds; or
Any structure or building that is in a state of dilapidation, deterioration
or decay, faulty construction, overcrowded, open, vacant or abandoned.
The closing of all exterior openings on all levels of an abandoned
structure, including the removal of debris from the property.
All grasses, annual plants and vegetation having growth in excess
of 10 inches in height.
It shall be illegal to maintain or allow to be maintained any abandoned
structure or property constituting a public nuisance as defined by this chapter
within all zones of the Township of Readington.
Every portion of property within the township located within a township
right-of-way, sight triangle or in some other area necessary for sight distance
shall be maintained free from weeds or plant growth in excess of 10 inches
in height.
A.
Upon notification by the township to the owner or his,
her, their or its legal agent that the property in question is in violation
of this chapter, the owner or agent shall institute temporary safeguards and
abate all public nuisances, including the controlling of weeds.
B.
The violation in question must be fully resolved within
10 days of the date the township issues notification of the violation. Failure
to comply at the end of the ten-day period will result in the Township of
Readington taking any action necessary, including but not limited to assigning
the work to a private contractor, proceeding with the abatement on its own
or any other legal action deemed necessary. If the township takes the task
of abatement upon itself, any cost incurred shall be placed on the property
in the form of a municipal lien.
Any person who violates the provisions of this chapter shall, upon conviction,
be subject to a fine not exceeding $1,000, imprisonment for a term not exceeding
90 days and/or a period of community service not exceeding 90 days.
