It has become evident to the members of the
Township Council that throughout many sections of the Township, residents
are neglecting to keep the sidewalks and gutters in front of their
homes in a clean and sanitary condition, and the failure to properly
care for such sidewalks and gutters has created and will continue
to create unsanitary and unsightly conditions, as well as fire hazards,
which constitute a menace to the health, safety, welfare and reasonable
comfort of the citizens and inhabitants of the Township.
The purpose of this article is to protect the
public health, safety and welfare by establishing minimum standards
governing the maintenance, appearance and condition of the sidewalks
and gutters throughout the Township and to authorize and establish
procedures for the abatement of violations and to fix penalties for
the violations of this article. This article is hereby declared to
be remedial and essential for the public interest and it is intended
that this section be liberally construed to effectuate the purposes
as stated.
As used in this article, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
OCCUPANT
Any person who has charge, care or control of a premises
or a part thereof, whether with or without the knowledge and consent
of the owner.
OWNER
Any person who, alone or jointly or severally with others,
shall have legal or equitable title to any premises, with or without
accompanying actual possession thereof; or shall have charge, care
or control of any dwelling or dwelling unit, as owner or agent of
the owner or as executor, executrix, administrator, administratrix,
trustee, receiver or guardian of the estate or as a mortgage in possession
regardless of how such possession was obtained.
In any case where the provisions of this article
impose a higher standard than set forth in any other ordinances of
the Township or any law of the State of New Jersey or regulation of
any public agency, board or commission, then the standards as set
forth herein shall prevail, but if the provisions of this article
impose a lower standard than any other ordinance of the Township or
of the laws of the State of New Jersey or any public agency, board
or commission, then the higher standard contained in any such other
ordinance or law shall prevail.
It shall be unlawful for any person to litter
the sidewalks and three feet of the street nearest the sidewalk in
any part of the Township. It shall be the duty of the occupier or
owner of each property to keep the same clean and free from dirt and
rubbish of every kind and description.
Every owner of a dwelling containing two or
more dwelling units or lodging units shall be responsible for maintaining
in a clean and sanitary condition the sidewalks and gutters in front
of such dwelling.
This article shall be enforced by the Township
Housing Officer or by any police officer of the Township.
[Added 6-22-1992 by Ord. No. 1992-5]
Any person in violation of this article shall,
upon conviction, be punishable by a fine not to exceed $1,000 or imprisonment
for a term of not more than 90 days, or both.