[Adopted 9-27-2016 by Ord. No. 1897]
This article is adopted to control the planting, cultivating and/or growing of bamboo in the Borough of Middlesex and to require barriers to prevent the spread of existing bamboo into other areas of the Borough.
Subject to certain exemptions set forth in this article, no persons, residents, citizens, property owners and/or tenants of property within the Borough shall plant, cultivate, or cause to grow, any bamboo on any lot and/or parcel of ground anywhere within the geographic boundaries of the Borough of Middlesex, except for:
A. 
Where the root system of such bamboo plant(s) is/are entirely contained within an above-ground-level planter, barrel, or other vessel of such design, material and location as to entirely prevent the spread of growth of the bamboo plants' root system beyond the container in which they are planted.
B. 
Whether planted or growing in a container, as described herein, all bamboo plants shall be located, trimmed and maintained so that no part of the plant shall be closer than 15 feet to any property line, and shall not be permitted whatsoever in the front yard area of any property.
This article shall not apply to any landowner or possessor of said land who, prior to the effective date of this article, has planted or caused to grow any bamboo on any property within Borough limits unless the Code Enforcement Officer determines on her own, or upon complaint from any abutting or nearby property owner, that any portion of such bamboo has been allowed to grow upon, extend roots across, or extend branches, stalks or leaves over any public way or any private property not owned by or in the possession of such landowner or any possessor of said land. If such occurs, the provisions of § 317-19 herein shall apply.
Whenever a complaint is received by the Borough regarding the encroachment of any bamboo plant or root, or whenever the Borough, on its own observations and inspections, determines that there is an encroachment of bamboo plants or roots onto the property of another landowner, or tenant in possession of the property, or both, the Borough shall cause notice to be served and the following actions to occur:
A. 
The notice shall be mailed by certified mail, return receipt requested, properly addressed and with sufficient postage, and also by first class mail. Notice by certified mail and by first class mail shall be deemed complete on the date of dispatch.
B. 
The notice shall specify the general nature of the violation(s).
C. 
The notice shall state that the violation(s) must be corrected within 20 calendar days from the date of dispatch of such notice.
D. 
The notice shall state specifically what must be done by the responsible party to correct the violation(s).
A person deemed to have violated any provisions of this article shall be fined as outlined in § 317-13 herein. If the violation is not remedied within the time set forth in the aforesaid notice, the provisions of § 317-14 shall apply.