[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Council of the Township of Lopatcong as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Brush, grass and weeds — See Ch. 81.
Littering — See Ch. 143.
Public health nuisances — See Ch. 149.
Abandoned vehicles; towing — See Ch. 223.
Weed control — See Ch. 237.
Zoning and land use — See Ch. 243.
[Adopted 12-30-1974 by Ord. No. 250 as Ch. 84 of the 1974 Code]
It shall be unlawful for any owner or possessor of land in this township to do any of the following:
A. 
Permit such land to be covered with or contain refuse or debris resulting from the construction, demolition or neglect of a building, which refuse or debris has remained on the land for more than 30 days after completion of the construction work or the demolition or after the loose boards, shingles or other materials have fallen off a building, and where such refuse or debris is inimical to the preservation of the public health, safety or general welfare of the people of the township or which refuse or debris may constitute a fire hazard.
B. 
Permit on such land an abandoned, unused or unprotected well, cellar or other unnatural declivity in which stagnant water or debris is retained or which is dangerous to a person, including a child, being or coming upon said land.
C. 
Permit to be stored or placed on such land old lumber, metal, machines or parts of machines, junk, paper, clothes, glass or refuse or any combination of them, which is either a fire hazard, retains stagnant water, emits foul or obnoxious odors or which is dangerous to a person, including a child, being or coming upon said land. "Machines or parts of machines" shall include automobiles or parts of automobiles in need of repair or which cannot be readily operated under their own power or which require substantial repairs, or abandoned automobiles.
D. 
A homeowner shall not permit water runoff from an in-home pumping apparatus to discharge in such a fashion as to cause a dangerous condition on Township sidewalks or streets. In the event that such a dangerous condition is created, the homeowner shall be notified to correct the condition by the Township. In the event the homeowner does not correct the condition, the homeowner will be subject to a fine not in excess of $500 per violation.
[Added 2-5-2003 by Ord. No. 2003-4]
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 84-1, Dumping regulated, of the 1974 Code, which immediately preceded this section, was repealed 2-19-1992 by Ord. No. 1992-02. See now Ch. 143, Littering.
[Amended 2-19-1992 by Ord. No. 1992-02]
A. 
No person, firm or corporation shall keep, store, abandon or leave upon any highway or public property or upon private property in view of the general public anywhere in the township any motor vehicle for a period of more than 48 hours or for any period without current license plates, without a current inspection sticker and which is not fully insured in accordance with state law, provided, however, that nothing herein contained shall be deemed to prohibit the placing, keeping, storing or abandonment of any such motor vehicle in a garage or other building in the township or on the lands and premises of a licensed new or used automobile dealer or licensed service station or auto body shop operator where said motor vehicle is being or is about to be repaired. However, said dealer or operator cannot allow any motor vehicle or motor vehicles to be parked on his lands and premises without being under cover or without repairs thereon having been made and completed for a period exceeding 30 days, which time may be extended, for good cause shown, by the Chief of Police.
B. 
Farm machinery kept on the farmer's own premises and vehicles used or to be used in the construction, operation or maintenance of public utility facilities and which are left in a manner which does not interfere with the normal movement of traffic shall not be considered abandoned vehicles for the purposes of this chapter.
[1]
Editor's Note: See also Ch. 223, Vehicles, Abandoned; Towing.
A. 
Nothing herein shall be construed to pertain to junkyards licensed or permitted under the provisions of the Zoning Ordinance,[1] except that such junkyards, as defined in said Zoning Ordinance, shall comply with the provisions of Subsection B below.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 243, Zoning and Land Use.
B. 
No place shall hereafter be licensed or maintained as a junkyard or as a motor vehicle junkyard unless the premises in question shall have a suitable fence or enclosure completely surrounding said premises, which fence or enclosure must be of solid construction and must be constructed at a minimum height of six feet; and the person or persons, firm or corporation conducting such junkyard or motor vehicle junkyard shall at all times maintain said premises in a safe and sightly manner with due regard to the health, safety and general welfare of the vicinity in which said junkyard or motor vehicle junkyard is located.
[Amended 2-19-1992 by Ord. No. 1992-02]
Upon complaint of any resident or property owner of the Township of Lopatcong or any employee of said township or upon his own motion, the Health Officer or Police Chief or his designated agent shall make an investigation of the condition complained of and report thereon, in writing, to the Township Clerk for the Township Council.
Upon receiving said report, if the land in question about which the complaint was made is found to be in such condition that a violation of one or more of the provisions of §§ 165-1 through 165-3 hereof exists on said land, the Township Clerk shall notify the owner and possessor of said lands complained of, in writing, either personally or by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, to take such steps as will effectively remove said violation from said land within 10 days after receipt of said notice.
[Amended 2-19-1992 by Ord. No. 1992-02]
The Health Officer or Police Chief or his designated agent shall reinspect said lands after the ten-day period shall have expired and shall report, in writing, to the Township Clerk for the Township Council whether or not the unlawful condition complained of and previously found to exist in violation of this chapter has been abated or remedied.
[Amended 2-19-1992 by Ord. No. 1992-02]
In the event that the owner or possessor of said lands shall refuse or neglect to abate or remedy the condition complained of and which constituted a violation of this chapter within said 10 days, the Township Council shall cause the condition complained of to be abated and remedied.
[Amended 2-19-1992 by Ord. No. 1992-02]
Upon the removal of any of the materials prohibited to be stored or abandoned on lands by this chapter by or under the direction of such officer or officers of this township in cases where the owner or tenant shall have refused or neglected to remove the same in the manner and within the time provided above, such officer or officers shall certify the cost thereof to the Township Council, which shall examine the certificate and, if found correct, shall cause the cost as shown thereon to be charged against said 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 said lands, the same to bear interest at the same rate as taxes, and shall be collected and enforced by the same officers and in the same manner as taxes.
A. 
Any person convicted of a violation of any of the provisions of this chapter shall be punishable by a fine not exceeding $1,000 or imprisonment in the county jail for not exceeding 90 days or a period of community service not exceeding 90 days, or any combination thereof, at the discretion of the Judge before whom said conviction is had.
[Amended 2-19-1992 by Ord. No. 1992-02]
B. 
Each and every day said person fails to comply with the notice beyond the date fixed for compliance shall constitute a separate and distinct violation.
C. 
The penalties set forth in this section are separate and apart from the remedy provided for in § 165-8 hereof and the remedy provided by N.J.S.A. 40:48-2.13 and 40:48-2.14 (P.L. 1943, c.71, as amended).
[Adopted 3-1-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-03[1]]
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also superseded former Art. II, Residential Maintenance of Properties in Foreclosure, adopted 9-7-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-14.
The following words, terms, and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except when the context clearly indicates a different meaning.
APPLICABLE CODES
To include, but not be limited to, the Lopatcong Township Code ("the Code"), and the New Jersey Building Code.
CREDITOR
As defined in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40:48-2.12s2d, means state-chartered bank, savings bank, savings and loan association or credit union, any person required to be licensed under the provisions of the "New Jersey Residential Mortgage Lending Act," Sections 1 through 39 of P.L. 2009, c. 53 (N.J.S.A. 17:11C-51 through 17:11C-89), and any entity acting on behalf of the creditor named in the debt obligation including, but not limited to, servicers. For purposes of this section, a "creditor" shall not include the state, a political subdivision of the state, or a state, county, or local government entity, or their agent or assignee, such as the servicer.
ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
Any law enforcement officer, building official, zoning inspector, code enforcement officer, fire inspector or building inspector, or other person authorized by the Township of Lopatcong to enforce the applicable code(s).
FORECLOSURE
The legal process by which a mortgagee terminates a mortgagor's interest in real property either to obtain legal and equitable title to the real property pledged as security for a debt or to force a sale of said property to satisfy a debt. For purposes of this article, this process begins upon the service of a summons and a complaint on the mortgagor on any interested party. For purposes of this article, the process is not concluded until the property is sold to a bona fide purchaser not related to the mortgagee in an arm's length transaction, whether by Sheriff's sale, private sale following a Sheriff's sale, or private sale following the vesting of title in the mortgagee pursuant to a judgment.
MORTGAGEE
The creditor, including but not limited to, lenders in a mortgage agreement; any agent, servant, or employee of the creditor; any successor in interest; or any assignee to the creditor's rights, interests, or obligations under the mortgage agreement, excluding governmental entities as assignee or owner.
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANY
A local property manager, property maintenance company or similar entity responsible for the maintenance of abandoned property.
VACANT
Any building or structure that is not legally occupied.
VACANT AND ABANDONED REAL PROPERTY
As defined in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40:48-2.12s3b(8), shall mean property that is not legally occupied by a mortgagor or tenant, which is in such condition that it cannot be legally reoccupied, because of the presence or finding of at least two of the following:
A. 
Overgrown or neglected vegetation;
B. 
The accumulation of newspapers, circulars, flyers, or mail on the property;
C. 
Disconnected gas, electric, or water utility services to the property;
D. 
The accumulation of hazardous, noxious, or unhealthy substances or materials on the property;
E. 
The accumulation of junk, litter, trash, or debris on the property;
F. 
The absence of window treatments such as blinds, curtains, or shutters;
G. 
The absence of furnishings and personal items;
H. 
Statements of neighbors, delivery persons, or government employees indicating that the property is vacant and abandoned;
I. 
Windows or entrances to the property that are boarded up or closed off, or multiple window panes that are damaged, broken, and unrepaired;
J. 
Doors to the property that are smashed through, broken off, unhinged, or continuously unlocked;
K. 
A risk to the health and safety, or welfare of the public or any adjoining or adjacent property owners due to acts of vandalism, loitering, criminal conduct, or the physical destruction or deterioration of the property;
L. 
An uncorrected violation of a municipal building, housing, or similar code during the preceding year, or an older by municipal authorities declaring the property to be unfit for occupancy and to remain vacant and unoccupied;
M. 
The mortgagee or other authorized party has secured or winterized the property due to the property being deemed vacant and unprotected or in danger of freezing;
N. 
A written statement issued by a mortgagor expressing the clear intent of all mortgagors to abandon the property; or
O. 
Any other reasonable indicia of abandonment.
These sections shall be considered cumulative and not superseding or subject to any other law or provision for same, but rather be an additional remedy available to the Township of Lopatcong above and beyond any other state, county, or local provisions for same.
Pursuant to the provisions of § 165-13, the Township of Lopatcong or its designee shall establish a vacant and abandoned property registry containing the information required by this article.
A. 
Any creditor who holds a mortgage or equity lien on real property located within the Township shall perform an inspection of the property to determine vacancy or occupancy, upon the commencement of foreclosure as evidenced by a foreclosure filing. The creditor shall, within 10 days of the inspection, register the property with the Township Code Enforcement Official, or its designee, on forms or website access provided by the Township, and indicate whether the property is vacant or occupied. A separate registration is required for each property, whether it is found to be vacant or occupied.
B. 
If the property is occupied but remains in foreclosure, it shall be inspected by the creditor or his designee monthly until 1) the mortgagor or other party remedies the foreclosure, or 2) it is found to be vacant or shows evidence of vacancy at which time it is deemed abandoned, and the mortgagee shall, within 10 days of that inspection, update the property registration to a vacancy status on forms provided by the Township.
C. 
Registration pursuant to this section shall contain the name of the creditor and the servicing entity, if any, the direct mailing address of the mortgagee and the servicing entity, a direct contact name and telephone number for both parties, facsimile number and email address for both parties, the folio or tax number, and the name and twenty-four-hour contact telephone number of the property management company responsible for the security and maintenance of the property.
D. 
A nonrefundable annual registration fee in the amount of $500 per property shall accompany the registration form or website registration. On each anniversary date of the initial registration, the creditor shall submit a renewal registration fee as follows: 1) $500 per property annually for any property that is required to be registered because a summons and a complaint in an action to foreclose was filed by the creditor; and 2) an additional $2,000 per property annually if the property is vacant and abandoned pursuant to the definition in this article when the summons and complaint in complaint in an action to foreclose is filed, or becomes vacant and abandoned pursuant to the definition in the ordinance at any time thereafter while the property is in foreclosure.
E. 
If the property is not registered, or the registration fee is not paid within 30 days of when the registration or renewal is required pursuant to this section, a late fee equivalent to 10% of the annual registration fee shall be charged for every thirty-day period, or portion thereof, that the property is not registered and shall be due and payable with the registration.
F. 
All registration fees must be paid directly from the creditor, mortgagee, servicer, or trustee. Third-party registration fees are not allowed without the consent of the Township and/or its authorized designee.
G. 
This section shall also apply to properties that have been the subject of a foreclosure sale where the title was transferred to the beneficiary of a mortgage involved in the foreclosure and any properties transferred under a deed in lieu of foreclosure/sale.
H. 
Properties subject to this section shall remain under the annual registration requirement, and the inspection, security, and maintenance standards of this section as long as they remain in foreclosure.
I. 
Any person or legal entity that has registered a property under this section must report any change of information contained in the registration within 10 days of the change.
J. 
Failure of the creditor to properly register or to modify the registration form from time to time to reflect a change of circumstances as required by this article is a violation of the chapter and shall be subject to enforcement.
K. 
Pursuant to any administrative or judicial finding and determination that any property is in violation of this article, the Township may take the necessary action to ensure compliance with and place a lien on the property for the cost of the work performed to benefit the property and bring it into compliance.
L. 
Registration of foreclosure property does not alleviate the creditor from obtaining all required licenses, permits, and inspections required by applicable codes or applicable state statutes.
M. 
If the mortgage and/or servicing on a property is sold or transferred, the new creditor is subject to all terms of this article. Within 10 days of the transfer, the new creditor shall register the property or update the existing registration. The previous mortgagee(s) will not be released from the responsibility of paying all previous unpaid fees, fines, and penalties accrued during the creditor's involvement with the registrable property.
N. 
If the creditor sells or transfers the registrable property in a non-arm's length transaction to a related entity or person, the transferee is subject to all the terms of this article. Within 10 days of the transfer, the transferee shall register the property or update the existing registration. Any and all previous unpaid fees, fines, and penalties, regardless of who the mortgagee was at the time registration was required, including but not limited to unregistered periods during the foreclosure process, are the responsibility of the transferee and are due and payable with the updated registration. The previous creditor will not be released from the responsibility of paying all previous unpaid fees, fines, and penalties accrued during that creditor's involvement with the registrable property.
A. 
Properties subject to this article shall be kept free of weeds, overgrown brush, dead vegetation, trash, junk, debris, building materials, any accumulation of newspapers, circulars, flyers, notices, except those required by federal, state, or local law, discorded personal items including, but not limited to, furniture, clothing, large and small appliances, printed material or any other items that give the appearance that the property is abandoned.
B. 
Properties subject to this article shall be maintained free of graffiti or similar markings by removal or painting over with an exterior grade paint that matches the color of the exterior structure.
C. 
Front, side, and rear yards, including landscaping, shall be maintained in accordance with all applicable code(s) at the time registration was required.
D. 
Yard maintenance shall include, but not be limited to, grass, ground covers, bushes, shrubs, hedges or similar plantings, decorative rock or bark or artificial turf/sod designed specifically for residential installation. Acceptable maintenance of yards and/or landscape shall not include weeds, gravel, broken concrete, asphalt, or similar material.
E. 
Maintenance shall include, but not be limited to, watering, irrigation, cutting and mowing of required ground cover or landscape and removal of all trimmings.
F. 
Pools and spas shall be maintained so the water remains free and clear of pollutants and debris and shall comply with the regulations set forth in the applicable code(s).
G. 
Failure of the mortgagee and/or owner to properly maintain the property may result in a violation of the applicable code(s) and issuance of a citation or notice of violation in accordance with this article, Chapter 149 (Nuisances, Public Health), Chapter 165 (Property Maintenance), and Chapter 203 (Streets and Sidewalks) of the Township Code. Pursuant to a finding and determination by the Township Code Enforcement Officer or a court of competent jurisdiction, the Township may take the necessary action to ensure compliance with this section.
H. 
In addition to the above, the property is required to be maintained in accordance with the applicable code(s).
A. 
Properties subject to this article shall be maintained in a secure manner so as not to be accessible to unauthorized persons.
B. 
A "secure manner" shall include, but not be limited to, the closure and locking of windows, doors, gates, and other openings of such size that may allow a child to access the interior of the property or structure. Broken windows, doors, gates, and other openings of such size that may allow a child to access the interior of the property or structure must be repaired. Broken windows shall be secured by reglazing of the window.
C. 
If a mortgage on a property is in default, and the property has become vacant and abandoned, a property manager shall be designated by the mortgagee to perform the work necessary to bring the property into compliance with the applicable code(s), and the property manager must perform regular inspections to verify compliance with the requirements of this article, and any other applicable law(s).
All vacant and abandoned real property is hereby declared to be a public nuisance, the abatement of which pursuant to the police power is hereby declared to be necessary for the health, welfare and safety of the residents of the Township.
Any person who shall violate the provisions of this article shall be cited and fined by one or more of the following: imprisonment in the county jail or in any place provided by the municipality for the detention of prisoners, for any term not exceeding 90 days; or by a fine not less than $500 or exceeding $1,250; or by a period of community service not exceeding 90 days. Any person who is convicted of violating this article within one year of the date of a previous violation of the same section, and who was fined for the previous violation, shall be sentenced by a court to an additional fine as a repeat offender. The additional fine imposed by the Court upon a person for a repeated offense shall not be less than the minimum or exceed the maximum fine fixed for a violation of this article, but shall be calculated separately from the fine imposed for the violation of this article.
Adherence to this article does not relieve any person, legal entity, or agent from any other obligations set forth in any applicable code(s), which my apply to the property. Upon sale or transfer of title to the property, the owner shall be responsible for all violations of the applicable code(s).
A. 
If the Enforcement Officer has reason to believe that a property subject to the provisions of this article is posing a serious threat to the public health, safety, and welfare, the Code Enforcement Officer may temporarily secure the property at the expense of the mortgagee and/or owner, and may bring the violations before a court of competent jurisdiction as soon as possible to address the conditions of the property.
B. 
The Code Enforcement Officer shall have the authority to require the mortgagee and/or owner of record of any property affected by this section, to implement additional maintenance and/or security measures including, but not limited to, securing any and all doors, windows or other openings, employment of an on-site security guard or other measures as may be reasonably required to help prevent further decline of the property.
C. 
If there is a finding that the condition of the property is posing a serious threat to the public health, safety, and welfare, then the Code Enforcement Officer may direct the municipality to abate the violations and charge the mortgagee with the cost of abatement.
D. 
If the mortgagee does not reimburse the Township for the cost of temporarily securing the property, or of any abatement directed by the code enforcement board of special magistrate, within 30 days of the Township sending the mortgagee the invoice, then the Township may lien the property with such cost, along with an administrative fee of $500 to recover the administrative personnel services.
E. 
No less than 20% of the money collected pursuant to this article shall be utilized by the Township for municipal code enforcement purposes.
Whoever opposes, obstructs, or resists any enforcement officer or any person authorized by the Code Enforcement Office in the discharge of duties as provided in this article shall be punishable as provided by the Township Code, the New Jersey Building Code, or a court of competent jurisdiction.
Any enforcement officer or any person authorized by the Township to enforce the Sections contained herein shall be immune from prosecution, civil or criminal, for reasonable, good faith entry upon real property while in the discharge of duties imposed by this article.