[Adopted 1-7-1997 as § 4-4 of the 1996 Revised General Ordinances, as amended through Ord. No. 1999-8]
It shall be the duty of the owner, tenant or person in possession of any lands in the City to:
A. 
Keep all brush, hedges or other plant life growing within 10 feet of any roadway and within 25 feet of the intersection of two roadways cut to a height of not more than three feet, where it shall be necessary and expedient for the preservation of public safety.
B. 
Keep the lands free of brush, weeds, dead and dying trees, stumps, roots, obnoxious growths, filth, garbage, trash and debris, where the same are inimical to the preservation of public health, safety or general welfare of the City, or which may constitute a fire hazard.
C. 
Suffer or permit the use of any fireworks as defined in N.J.S.A. 21:2-2; or suffer or permit the improper use of sparkling devices and novelties as defined therein.
[Added 6-9-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-10]
After an investigation of any complaint of a resident, officer or employee of the City relative to a violation of this article, or upon his/her own motion, the Building Inspector shall notify the owner, tenant or person in possession of the lands complained of, in writing, either personally or by certified mail, return receipt requested, to remove such brush, weeds, dead or dying trees, stumps, roots, obnoxious growth, filth, garbage, trash or other debris within 10 days after receipt of the notice. The Building Inspector shall reinspect the lands in question after the ten-day period expires to see whether the condition complained of has been abated or remedied.
A. 
If the owner, tenant or person in possession of the lands in question shall fail to abate the condition complained of within 10 days after receipt of notice, the Building Inspector shall file a complaint in Municipal Court against such owner, tenant or person in possession of the lands in question for violation of this article.
B. 
In addition, the Building Inspection may cause the condition complained of to be abated and shall certify the cost to the Board of Commissioners, who shall examine the certificate and, if it is correct, cause the cost as shown thereon to be charged against the lands. The amount so charged shall become a lien upon the lands and shall be added to and become a part of the taxes next to be assessed and levied upon the lands, shall bear interest at the same rate as taxes, and shall be collected and enforced by the same officer and in the same manner as taxes. Costs shall be in addition to any penalties imposed for any violation of this article.
[Amended 6-7-2017]
Any person who violates any provision of this article shall be subject to the following violation schedule, per offense:
First offense*
$150
Second offense
$250
Third offense or more
$500
*
Court appearance required, after the first offense and for all subsequent violations.