Township of West Milford, NJ Chapter 10 Traffic

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Council of the Township of West Milford as Ch. 10 of the 1976 Revised General Ordinances. Amendments noted where applicable.]

GENERAL REFERENCES

Bicycles, skates, skateboards and scooters — See Ch. 84.

Parking restrictions — See Ch. 250.

Snow and ice removal from private roads — See Ch. 332, Art. IV.

Motor-driven and recreational vehicles — See Ch. 379.

§ 10-1 Words and phrases defined.

Whenever any words and phrases are used in this chapter, the meanings respectively ascribed to them in N.J.S.A. 39:1 shall be deemed to apply to these words and phrases used herein.

§ 10-2 Official time standard.

Whenever certain hours are named in this chapter, they shall mean either Eastern standard time or Eastern daylight saving time, as may be in current use in the Township.

§ 10-3 Parking.

10-3.1. 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, 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.

10-3.2. Parking prohibited during state of emergency.

a. Upon the declaration of an emergency, there shall be no parking upon streets or sections of 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, fires, public celebrations, etc., dictate or require the 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. Any unoccupied vehicle parked or standing in violation of this section 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 the vehicle. The owner shall pay the reasonable costs of removal and storage which may result from the removal, before regaining possession of the vehicle.

c. The effectiveness of this subsection is contingent upon signs being erected as required by law.

10-3.3. Parking prohibited at all times on certain streets. No person shall park a vehicle at any time upon any of the streets or parts thereof described in Schedule I attached to and made a part of this chapter.

10-3.4. Parking prohibited for snow plowing and snow removal.

[Amended 11-3-1993 by Ord. No. 1993-37]

a. Whenever snow has fallen and the accumulation is such that it covers the street or highway, an emergency shall exist, and no vehicle shall be parked on any Township public/private or county roadway in their entirety.

b. Any unoccupied vehicle parked or standing in violation of this subsection 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 a 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.

c. The effectiveness of this subsection is contingent upon signs being erected as required by law, i.e., permanent signs bearing the message NO PARKING ON ANY ROAD WHEN SNOW COVERED at all Township entrances, including Route 23, Warwick Turnpike, Cannistear Road, Otterhole Road, Greenwood Lake Turnpike, Oak Ridge Road, Longhouse Drive, Lakeside Road, Westbrook Road, Macopin Road and Eastshore Road.

d. Unless another penalty is expressly provided by New Jersey statute, every person convicted of a violation of a provision of this subsection or any supplement thereto shall be liable to a penalty of not more than $50 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 15 days, or both.

10-3.5. Parking time limited on certain streets. No person shall park a vehicle for longer than the time limit shown in Schedule II upon any of the streets or parts of streets described in the schedule attached to and made a part of this chapter.

10-3.6. Exits and entrances to parking lots and parking places. Exits and entrances to parking lots and parking places, as provided under N.J.S.A. 39:4-197(1)h, are hereby designated as described in Schedule VI.

10-3.7. Special parking privileges for physically handicapped persons.

a. Definitions. As used in this subsection, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED PERSON

A person with physical impairment; one who has lost the use of one or more limbs as a consequence of paralysis, amputation or other permanent disability or who is permanently disabled as to be unable to ambulate without the aid of an assisting device or whose mobility is otherwise limited as certified by a physician with a plenary license to practice medicine and surgery in this state or bordering state.

PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS PARKING AREA

Such geographical area or parking place which has been specifically designated for the parking of vehicles owned or operated by individuals hereinabove defined as "physically handicapped persons."

SPECIAL VEHICLE CERTIFICATE LICENSE PLATE INSIGNIA OR MARKER

Such identification issued by the Director of the Division of Motor Vehicles of the State of New Jersey, in accordance with N.J.S.A. 39:4-205 and 39:4-206 of the Revised Statutes of the State of New Jersey, which shall be affixed to the vehicle indicating that a special vehicle identification card has been issued for the motor vehicle designated therein.

SPECIAL VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION CARD

The identification card issued by the Director of the Division of Motor Vehicles in accordance with N.J.S.A. 39:4-205 of the Revised Statutes of the State of New Jersey, which, among other things, identifying the physically handicapped person and the vehicle owned and operated by him or her, stating that he or she is a physically handicapped person validly qualified to receive such card.

b. Parking areas for physically handicapped persons. Upon the posting of the sign described in Subsection 3.7d in the parking areas of any public or private property within the Township, no person shall stand, park, or cause to be parked any vehicle which does not have a special vehicle certificate or license plate insignia issued by the State of New Jersey pursuant to N.J.S.A. 39:4-204 et seq. in any parking space designated for physically handicapped persons.

[Amended 12-19-1990 by Ord. No. 1990-46]

c. Physically handicapped persons; parking spaces. Except for parking areas supervised by the West Milford Township Board of Education, physically handicapped persons parking spaces shall be designated and maintained as follows:

1. The said parking space shall consist of a minimum of 1% of the total number of parking spaces but not less than two parking spaces in the area of the parking facility.

2. Each parking space shall be 12 feet wide to allow room for persons in wheelchairs or on braces or crutches to get in and out of either side of an automobile onto a level, or paved, surface suitable for wheeling and walking.

3. Where possible, such parking spaces shall be located so that persons in wheelchairs or using braces or crutches are not compelled to wheel or walk behind parked cars.

4. N.J.S.A. 39:4-197 confers upon the Township the right to establish handicapped parking spaces in order to preserve and safeguard the public health, safety, morals and welfare. Handicapped parking spaces shall be those areas so designated on maps adopted by resolution of the Township Council which shall be retained in the Township Clerk's office. Handicapped parking spaces shall be so marked by signs in conformance with the current "Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways" and shall have a minimum width of 12 feet and minimum length of 22 feet. Handicapped parking spaces shall be for the exclusive use of persons who have been issued special vehicle identification cards by the Division of Motor Vehicles and whose vehicles are properly identified in accordance with N.J.S.A. 39:4-206. No other person shall be permitted to park in these spaces.

[Added 12-21-1983 by Ord. No. 1983-34; amended 12-5-2007 by Ord. No. 2007-030]

d. Physically handicapped persons sign; contents.

1. The owner, occupant, lessee or licensee of any area or parking space which has been specifically designated as a parking place for vehicles of physically handicapped persons shall be responsible for the purchase, installation and maintenance of signs and parking spaces designated herein.

2. The sign designating the parking space shall not be less than 18 inches by 24 inches upon which there shall be written the words, "Parking for Physically Handicapped Persons Only." Such sign may contain a statement that vehicles without special vehicle identification as designated hereafter constitutes a violation of this section and are subject to the penalties herein.

3. The sign shall be posted at the parking area or parking place so designated for the parking of vehicles of physically handicapped persons by the owner, occupant, lessee or licensee; and upon posting, the provisions of this section shall apply thereof.

e. State special vehicle identification insignias. Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 39:4-206 of the Revised Statutes of the State of New Jersey, the special identification certificates shall be pasted on the lower right-hand corner of the windshield of the motor vehicle for which it is issued, and metal insignia or marker, or both, of such design as has been determined by the Director of Motor Vehicles shall be attached to the license plate or plates of the motor vehicle for which such identification card and certificate has been issued. In lieu of the metal insignia or marker, the Director of Motor Vehicles may issue license plates bearing the national wheelchair symbol which shall be attached to the motor vehicle for which such identification card and certificate have been issued.

f. Penalty. Any person who commits a violation of this section shall, upon conviction, pay a fine of $250 for the first offense and a fine of at least $250 and up to 90 days' community service on such terms and in such form as the court deems appropriate, or any combination thereof, for each subsequent offense.

[Amended 12-19-1990 by Ord. No. 1990-46; 10-9-2003 by Ord. No. 2003-43]

10-3.8. Parking, Bald Eagle Village.

[Added 9-7-1994 by Ord. No. 1994-26]

a. All vehicles must park only in designated areas and between the lines provided.

b. Tow-away zones. Any vehicle parked or standing as to obstruct or impede a normal flow of traffic, block entrances or exit ways, loading zones, oil fills, any grass area, pedestrian walkway, or present in any way a safety or traffic hazard may be removed by towing the vehicle at the owner's or operator's expense.

c. Restricted parking. No person shall stop or stand a vehicle any time upon any of the streets or parts of streets described:

Name of Street	Sides	Hours	Location
All roads	Both	All	Entire length

d. Special parking privileges for physically handicapped persons. All stalls shall be 12 feet wide as shown on the attached site plan and signed with R7-8 (reserved sign and penalty plate), in the designated parking areas for persons who have been issued the handicapped parking permits by the Division of Motor Vehicles.

10-3.9. Parking prohibited where bike lanes are present. No person shall park a vehicle at any time upon any streets or portions thereof where bike lanes are present.

[Added 3-20-2013 by Ord. No. 2013-007]

§ 10-4 Through streets; stop intersections.

10-4.1. Through streets. Pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 39:4-140, the streets or parts of streets described in Schedule III attached to and made a part of this chapter 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 designations.

10-4.2. Stop intersections designated. Pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 39:4-140, the intersections described in Schedule IV attached to and made a part of this chapter are hereby designated as stop intersections. Stop signs shall be installed as provided therein.

10-4.3. Stopping or standing prohibited during specified times on certain streets. No person shall stop or stand a vehicle for the times specified in Schedule IX, upon any of the streets or parts of streets described in Schedule IX, attached hereto and made a part of this chapter.

§ 10-5 Speed limits.

[Amended 4-6-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-016]

§ 10-5.1 Streets.

a. The speed limits for both directions of traffic along the streets or parts of streets described in Schedule V attached to and made a part of the chapter[1] are hereby established at the rate of speed indicated.

[1] Editor's Note: Schedule V is included as an attachment to this chapter.

b. Regulatory and warning signs shall be erected and maintained to effect the designated speed limits as authorized by the Department of Transportation.

§ 10-5.2 Municipal parks and/or grounds.

a. The speed limits for both directions of traffic upon the following municipal parks and/or grounds shall be designated and established at 15 miles per hour.

Name of Municipal Park and/or Grounds	Limits
Bubbling Springs Park	Entire length
Echo Lake Park	Entire length
Farrell Field Complex	Entire length
Mt. Laurel Park	Entire length
Nosenzo Pond Park	Entire length
Recreation Center Complex (Melody Lake Park)	Entire length
Town Hall Municipal Complex	Entire length
Westbrook Park	Entire length

b. Regulatory and warning signs shall be erected and maintained to effect the designated speed limits as authorized by the Department of Transportation.

§ 10-6 Penalty.

Unless another penalty is expressly provided by New Jersey statute, every person convicted of a violation of a provision of this chapter shall be liable to a penalty of not more than $50 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 15 days, or both.

Any vehicle which is disabled to the extent that the operator cannot move it, or any unoccupied vehicle parked or standing in violation of this section, shall be deemed a nuisance and menace to the safe and proper regulation of traffic, and any peace officer or member of the Department of Police may provide for the removal of such vehicle. The owner or operator shall pay the reasonable costs of the removal and storage which may result from such removal, before regaining possession of the vehicle.

§ 10-7 No-passing zones.

Pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 39:4-86, no-passing zones along the streets described in Schedule VII attached to and made a part of this chapter are hereby designated in accordance with the appropriate no-passing zone drawings.

§ 10-8 No left turn.

No person shall make a left turn at any of the locations described in Schedule VIII attached to and made a part of this chapter.

§ 10-9 Yield intersections.

[Added 4-6-1983 by Ord. No. 1983-6]

In accordance with the provisions set forth in N.J.S.A. 39:4-140, the intersections described in Schedule X attached to and made part of this chapter are hereby designated as yield intersections.

§ 10-9A Limiting the use of streets to certain classes of vehicles.

[Added 9-19-1984 by Ord. No. 1984-29; amended 10-2-1985 by Ord. No. 1985-25; 12-21-1988 by Ord. No. 1988-42]

10-9A.1. Trucks over six tons or 10 tons excluded from certain streets. Trucks with a registered weight in excess of six or 10 tons are hereby excluded from the streets or part of the streets as described in Schedule XI except for the pickup and delivery of materials on such streets.

[Amended 9-17-2003 by Ord. No. 2003-38]

10-9A.2. Trucks over 13 tons excluded from certain streets. Trucks with a registered weight in excess of 13 tons are hereby excluded from the streets or parts of streets described in Schedule XII except for the pickup and delivery of materials on such streets.

§ 10-10 (Reserved)

§ 10-11 Mid-block crosswalks.

[Added 8-31-2000 by Ord. No. 2000-13]

10-11.1. Mid-block crosswalks. Pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 39:4-140, the streets or parts of streets described in Schedule XVI attached to and made a part of this chapter are hereby designated as mid-block crosswalks. Warning signs shall be erected and maintained to effect the mid-block crosswalk as established in this section as authorized by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.

§ 10-12 (Reserved)

§ 10-13 One-way streets.

[Added 2-15-1989 by Ord. No. 1989-5]

The streets or parts of streets described in Schedule XIII attached to and made a part of this chapter are hereby designated as one-way streets in the direction indicated.