[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Council of the Township of Hamilton as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Buildings, unfit or abandoned — See Ch. 146.
Construction codes — See Ch. 167.
Fire prevention — See Ch. 228.
Graffiti — See Ch. 254.
Nuisances — See Ch. 317.
Solid waste — See Ch. 420.
Streets and sidewalks — See Ch. 435.
Trees and shrubs — See Ch. 477.
[Adopted as Ch. 110, Art. II, of the 1994 Code of Ordinances; amended in its entirety 9-17-2013 by Ord. No. 13-030]
A. 
It shall be the duty of any owner and tenant or person in possession of any lands in the Township:
(1) 
To keep such lands free of brush, weeds, dead and dying trees, stumps, roots, obnoxious growths, invasive plants, filth, garbage, trash and debris where such items are inimical to the preservation of public health, safety or general welfare of the Township or which may constitute a fire hazard.
(2) 
Where the lands abut or border upon any public street, sidewalk or public right-of-way in the Township, to remove all grass, weeds, brush, invasive plants, and other debris from that part of the street, sidewalk or public right-of-way bordering on their respective lands.
(3) 
To control the growth of invasive plants. Failure to control the spread of such invasive plants beyond the boundaries of a resident's property is a violation of this article.
B. 
For purposes of this article, the term "invasive plants" shall mean all native and nonnative vines and vegetation that grow out of place and are competitive, persistent and pernicious. These plants may damage trees, vegetation or structures. Examples include but are not limited to bamboo (spreading or running type), ragweed, multiflora rose, kudzu vine and poison ivy or oak.
C. 
Bamboo.
(1) 
Regulation. Any bamboo that has been planted or otherwise permitted to grow on any property within the Township shall comply with the following:
(a) 
Bamboo shall not be planted, maintained or otherwise be permitted to exist within 40 feet of the edge of the pavement or traveled portion of any public roadway in the Township; and
(b) 
Each bamboo owner shall be required to take such measures as are reasonably expected to prevent such bamboo from invading or growing onto adjoining or neighboring properties. Such measures shall include, but not be limited to, installation of sheathing comprised of metal or other material impenetrable by bamboo at a sufficient depth within the property line or lines where the running bamboo is planted or is growing to prevent the growth or encroachment upon adjoining or neighboring property by the bamboo.
(2) 
For purposes of this article, the term "bamboo" shall mean any monopodial (running) tropical or semitropical grasses from the genera Bambusa, including but not limited to Bambusa, Phyllostachys and Pseudosasa, as well as Common bamboo, Golden bamboo and Arrow bamboo.
(3) 
For purposes of this article, the term "bamboo owner" shall mean any property owner, tenant or person in possession who has planted and/or grows bamboo, or who maintains bamboo on the property, or who permits bamboo to grow or remain on the property even if the bamboo has spread from an adjoining property. Any property owner, tenant or person in possession at which bamboo is found on the property will be considered a bamboo owner, except any property owner, tenant or person in possession who:
(a) 
Did not plant or grow or cause bamboo to be planted or grown on his or her property; and
(b) 
Has provided satisfactory proof to the Township that, within a reasonable period of time after discovering the encroachment of bamboo onto the property from an adjoining or neighboring property, he or she advised the owner, tenant or person in possession of such property of his or her objection to the encroachment of the bamboo; and
(c) 
Has initiated steps for the removal of the bamboo from the property, including remedies at law.
Whenever the enforcement officer shall deem it necessary and expedient for the preservation of the public health, safety and general welfare or the elimination of a fire hazard, or upon investigation of a complaint of any resident, officer or employee of the Township, he may order the owner, tenant or person in possession of any lands on which any brush, weeds, dead or dying trees, stumps, roots, obnoxious growth, invasive plants, filth, garbage, trash or other debris is found to exist, to remove the brush, weeds, dead or dying trees, stumps, roots, obnoxious growth, invasive plants, filth, garbage, trash or other debris existing on such lands, or any adjoining or neighboring lands to which any obnoxious growth or invasive plants have spread from such lands, within 10 business days, or may cause the removal thereof if the order is not complied with. The cost of abatement shall be borne by the owner, tenant or other person in possession.
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
After an investigation of any complaint of any resident, officer or employee of the Township or upon his own motion, the enforcement officer shall notify the owner or person in possession of the land complained of, in writing, either personally or by registered mail, to remove such brush, weeds, dead or dying trees, stumps, roots, obnoxious growth, invasive plants, filth, garbage, trash or other debris within 10 business days after receipt of notice to do so. The enforcement officer shall reinspect the lands in question after the ten-business-day period shall have expired as to whether or not the condition complained of has been abated or remedied.
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
If the owner, tenant or person in possession of the lands in question shall refuse or neglect to abate or remedy the condition complained of within 10 business days after receipt of notice pursuant to § 362-3, the enforcement officer shall issue a summons to the owner, tenant or person in possession for violation of this article and/or shall cause the condition complained of to be abated and remedied by the Department of Public Works, which shall certify the cost thereof to the Department of Finance, which shall cause the cost as shown thereon to be charged against the lands. The amount so charged shall forthwith become a lien upon such lands and shall be added to and become and form a part of the taxes next to be assessed and levied upon such lands, and such amount 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 pursuant to § 1-2, Violations; penalties, of the Code of the Township of Hamilton for any violation of this article.
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
[Adopted as Ch. 110, Art. III, of the 1994 Code of Ordinances]
A. 
Declaration of policy. It is hereby declared that there exist in the Township structures used for commercial, business, industrial and nonresidential purposes which are, or may become in the future, substandard with respect to structure, equipment or maintenance and, further, that such conditions, including but not limited to structural deterioration, lack of maintenance and appearance of exterior of premises, constitute a menace to the health, safety, morals, welfare and reasonable comfort of the citizens and inhabitants of the Township. It is further declared that, by reason of lack of maintenance and progressive deterioration, certain properties have the further effect of causing blight; that if the conditions are not curtailed or removed, such conditions may grow and spread and necessitate in time the expenditure of large amounts of public funds to correct and eliminate the conditions; and that by the adoption of the regulations and restrictions contained in this article blight may be prevented and neighborhood and property values may be maintained, upgraded nonresidential uses and neighborhoods may be better maintained and the public health, safety and welfare protected and fostered.
B. 
Purpose. The purpose of this article is to protect the public health, safety, morals and welfare by establishing minimum standards governing the maintenance, appearance and condition of nonresidential premises; to fix responsibilities and duties upon owners, operators and occupants; to authorize and establish procedures for the inspection of commercial premises; to fix penalties for the violations of this article; and to provide for the right of access to permit repairs when necessary. This article is hereby declared to be remedial and essential for the public interest, and it is intended that this article be liberally construed to effectuate the purpose as stated in this section.
[Amended 4-7-2020 by Ord. No. 20-015]
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
The Director of the Township Department of Community and Economic Development.
DETERIORATION
The condition of a structure or part thereof characterized by holes, breaks, rot, crumbling, cracking, peeling, rusting or other evidence of physical decay or neglect, lack of maintenance or excessive use.
ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
Building officials, health inspectors, housing inspectors, health officers and zoning enforcement officers.
EXTERIOR OF PREMISES
Those portions of a building or structure which are exposed to public view or are visible from adjoining or adjacent properties, including all outside surfaces and appurtenances thereto, and the open space on the premises outside any building or structure erected thereon.
EXTERMINATION
The control and elimination of insects, rodents or other pests by eliminating their harborage places, by removing or making inaccessible materials that may serve as their food, or by poison, spraying, fumigating, trapping or by any other approved pest-elimination methods.
FIRE HAZARD
Any thing or any act which increases or may cause any increase of the hazard or menace of fire to a greater degree than that customarily recognized as normal by persons in the public service of preventing, suppressing or extinguishing fire, or which may obstruct, delay or hinder or may become the cause of an obstruction, delay, hazard or hindrance to the prevention, suppression or extinguishment of fire.
GARBAGE
Animal and vegetable waste resulting from the handling, preparation, cooking and consumption of food.
NUISANCE
Any public or private condition that would constitute a nuisance according to the statutes, laws and regulations of the state or any of its agencies, or this Code; and any physical condition existing in or on the exterior of any premises which is potentially dangerous, detrimental or hazardous to the health or safety of persons on, near or passing in proximity of the premises where such condition exists.
OCCUPANT
Any occupant, owner, agent, tenant, lessee, caretaker or other person or corporation in charge of or residing, living or sleeping in or on the premises of or having actual possession or use of a business, commercial, industrial unit or other premises affected by this article.
OPERATOR
Any person, not the owner, who has charge, care or control of a structure or a part thereof, with or without the knowledge, consent or authority of the owner.
OWNER
Any person who has legal or equitable title in any form whatsoever to any premises or part thereof, with or without accompanying actual possession thereof, or who shall have charge, care or control of any lot, premises, building, structure or part thereof, as owner or agent of the owner or as fiduciary, trustee, receiver, guardian, lessee or mortgagee in possession, regardless of how such possession was obtained. Any person who is a lessee, sublessee or assignee of a lessee of any part or all of any building, structure or land shall be deemed to be a co-owner with the lessor for the purposes of this article and shall have responsibility over that portion of the premises so sublet, leased or assigned.
PREMISES
A lot, plot or parcel of land, including the buildings, structures and improvements thereon, which is used in any part for business, commercial or industrial activity.
RUBBISH
All combustible and noncombustible waste materials other than garbage; and the term shall include paper, rags, cartons, boxes, wood, excelsior, rubber, leather, tree branches, yard trimmings, tin cans, metals, mineral matter, glass, crockery and the residue from burning wood, coal, coke or other combustible material, and solid commercial and industrial waste. No chemicals such as those used in swimming pools, oil, gasoline or any other chemical which could cause a fire, explosion or obnoxious gas shall be considered rubbish.
A. 
General standards. There is hereby adopted by the Council, for the purpose of prescribing regulations governing conditions for maintenance of commercial property, that certain code known as the BOCA National Property Maintenance Code, being particularly the 1993 Edition thereof, and the whole thereof and the provisions thereof shall be controlling within the corporate limits of the Township. Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:49-5.1 et seq., such code, which is printed in book form, is adopted by reference thereto, and a copy of the printed code is annexed to this article and shall be a part of this article as fully as though it had been set forth at length in this article.
B. 
Landscaping. All nonresidential properties shall be kept landscaped in accordance with or equal to the original landscape site plan as approved by the Planning Board or Zoning Board of Adjustment. Bushes, lawns, hedges, detention basins, retention basins and all other features included in the approved landscape plan shall be maintained and kept from becoming overgrown or unsightly or from any state of neglect or disrepair. Plantings required by site plan approval shall be replaced when the plantings have died. Where site plan approval had not been obtained, landscaping shall be maintained and kept from becoming overgrown or unsightly or from any state of neglect or disrepair.
C. 
Exterior of buildings and structures.
(1) 
All storefronts and the exterior of every building, structure or appurtenance thereto shall be maintained in good repair, and all exterior surfaces thereof shall be kept painted or otherwise provided with a protective treatment where necessary for purposes of preservation and appearance and maintained free from broken or cracked glass or loose shingles or siding or broken cracks on brick, crumbling masonry, excessively peeling paint or other condition indicating deterioration or inadequate maintenance, to the end that the property itself may be preserved, safety and fire hazards eliminated and adjoining properties and the neighborhood protected from blighting influence.
(2) 
The areas to be maintained and the maintenance required include but are not limited to the following:
(a) 
Exterior surfaces (foundations, walls and roofs). Every foundation, exterior wall, roof and all other exterior surfaces shall be maintained in a workmanlike state of maintenance and repair.
(b) 
Exterior walls. Every exterior wall shall be free of holes, breaks, loose or rotting boards or timbers and any other conditions which might admit rain or dampness to the interior portion of the walls or to the occupied or unoccupied spaces of the building. All exterior surface materials, including wood, composition or metal siding, shall be maintained weatherproof and shall be properly surface-coated when required to prevent deterioration.
(c) 
Roofs and drainage. The roof shall be structurally sound, tight and not have defects which might admit rain. Roof drainage shall be adequate to prevent rainwater from causing dampness or deterioration in the walls or interior portion of the building. Roof water shall not be discharged in a manner that creates a nuisance to owners or occupants of adjacent premises or that creates a public nuisance.
(d) 
Decorative features. All cornices, entablatures, belt courses, corbels, terra cotta trim, wall facings and similar decorative features shall be maintained in good repair with proper anchorage and in a safe condition.
(e) 
Signs, marquees and awnings. All canopies, marquees, signs, metal awnings, stairways, fire escapes, standpipes, exhaust ducts and similar overhang extensions shall be maintained in good repair and be properly anchored so as to be kept in a safe and sound condition. They shall be protected from the elements and against decay and rust by the periodic application of a weather-coating material such as paint or other protective treatment.
(f) 
Chimneys and towers. Exposed surfaces of all chimneys, cooling towers, smokestacks and similar appurtenances shall be protected from the elements and against decay or rust by periodic application of weather-coating materials such as paint or similar surface treatment.
(g) 
Stairs and porches.
1. 
Every stair, porch, fire escape and balcony and all appurtenances attached thereto shall be maintained in sound condition and good repair. Every stair, porch and fire escape shall be maintained free of hazardous conditions such as snow, ice, mud and other debris.
2. 
Every flight of stairs which is more than four risers high shall have a handrail on at least one side of the stair, and every open portion of a stair, fire escape, porch, landing or balcony which is more than 30 inches (762 millimeters) above the grade below shall have guardrails. Every handrail and guardrail shall be firmly fastened and capable of bearing normally imposed loads and shall be maintained in good condition.
(h) 
Windows, doors and frames. Every window, door and frame shall be constructed and maintained in such relation to the adjacent wall construction so as to be weathertight.
(i) 
Weathertightness. Every window and exterior door shall be fitted reasonably in its frame and be weathertight. Weather stripping shall be used to exclude wind or rain from entering the dwelling or structure and shall be kept in sound condition and good repair.
(j) 
Glazing. Every required window sash shall be fully supplied with approved glazing materials which are without open cracks and holes.
(k) 
Windows. Every window, other than a fixed window, shall be capable of being easily opened and shall be held in position by window hardware.
(l) 
Doors. Every exterior door and its hardware shall be maintained in good condition.
(m) 
Basement hatchways. Every basement hatchway shall be so constructed and maintained as to prevent the entrance of rats, rain and surface drainage water into the structure.
D. 
Structural standards. Every structure and accessory structure and every part thereof shall be kept structurally sound and in a state of good repair to avoid safety, health or fire hazards, including but not limited to the following: All foundation walls shall be maintained so as to carry safely the design and operating dead and live loads and shall be maintained plumb and free from open cracks and breaks so as not to be detrimental to public safety and welfare.
E. 
Site maintenance. The exterior of the premises or vacant land shall be kept free of all nuisances and any hazards to the safety of occupants, pedestrian and other persons utilizing the premises and free of unsanitary conditions, and any of such conditions shall be promptly removed and abated by the owner or operator. It shall be the duty of the owner or operator to keep the premises free of hazards, which include but are not limited to the following:
(1) 
Refuse such as broken glass, filth, garbage, trash, litter and debris.
(2) 
Natural growth such as brush, weeds, ragweed, stumps, roots and obnoxious growths and dead and dying trees and limbs or other natural growth which, by reason of rotting or deteriorating condition or storm damage, constitutes a hazard to persons in the vicinity thereof. Trees shall be kept pruned and trimmed to prevent such condition.
(3) 
Overhangs such as loose and overhanging objects and accumulations of ice and snow which, by reason of location above ground level, constitute a danger of falling on persons in the vicinity thereof.
(4) 
Ground surface hazards or unsanitary conditions such as holes, broken or missing pavement, loose stone, excavations, mud, breaks, projections, obstructions, ice, uncleared snow and excretion of pets and other animals on paths, walks, driveways, parking lots and parking areas and other parts of the premises which are accessible to and used by persons on the premises. All such holes and excavations shall be filled and repaired, walks and steps shall be repaired, and other conditions shall be removed where necessary to eliminate hazards or unsanitary conditions with reasonable dispatch upon their discovery. It shall be the responsibility of owners and operators to take reasonable steps to discover any such hazards or unsanitary conditions which may exist on their premises.
(5) 
Recurring accumulations of stormwater. Adequate runoff drains shall be provided and maintained to eliminate any recurrent or excessive accumulation of stormwater.
(6) 
Sources of infestation or harborage of pests. Any extermination shall be performed by a licensed professional pesticide applicator.
(7) 
Hazards in parking areas. Parking lots or parking areas, including the entrances and exits thereto, shall be kept in a good state of repair and maintained so as to comply with Subsection E(4) of this section. Signing of ownership and use restrictions, such as the identification of handicapped parking spaces, fire zones, etc., shall be maintained in good repair, clearly visible to potential parkers. Striping, where appropriate, shall indicate spaces, direction of flow and entrances and exits, and be maintained so as to ensure visibility. Parking shall be limited to nonpervious areas.
(8) 
Lighting hazards, such as inadequate or unsafe lighting.
F. 
Exhaust vents. A person shall not construct, maintain or operate pipes, ducts, conductors, fans or blowers discharging gases, steam, vapor, hot air, grease, smoke, odors or other gaseous or particulate wastes so as to discharge directly upon abutting or adjacent public and private property or that of another tenant.
[Amended 1-20-2004 by Ord. No. 04-002]
A. 
Enforcement officers. It shall be the duty and responsibility of the building officials, housing inspectors, health officers, health inspectors and Zoning Enforcement Officer of the Township to enforce the provisions of this article as provided in this section.
B. 
Coordination of enforcement. The primary responsibility for the inspection of premises and the issuing of orders in connection therewith under the provisions of this article shall be the responsibility of the Zoning Enforcement Officer of the Township. Whenever in the opinion of the Zoning Enforcement Officer it is necessary or desirable to have inspections of any condition by any other department, he shall arrange for this to be done.
C. 
Right of entry. Any enforcement officer is authorized to enter upon any premises at any reasonable time for the purpose of conducting inspections and performing his duties under this article.
D. 
Enforcement procedure.[1]
(1) 
Whenever an enforcement officer determines that there is or has been a violation of any provision of this article, he shall give notice of such violation to the person responsible therefor under this section. Such notice shall be deemed to be properly and sufficiently served if a copy thereof is sent by regular mail to the last known address of the person upon which the notice is served, as shown by the most recent tax records of the Township, or a copy thereof is handed to the person or a copy thereof is left at the usual place of abode or office of the person. Notice shall be given as provided in this subsection within or without the Township. The notice shall also state that, unless the violation is abated, removed, cured, prevented or desisted from within 30 days, or within 10 days for violations regarding removal of grass, weeds, brush or other debris, of the date of service of such notice, exclusive of the date of service, a summons shall be issued for such violation.
(2) 
The enforcement officer may extend the period for compliance with the requirements of this article in regard to the violation stated in the notice, except for violations regarding removal of grass, weeds, brush or other debris, for a period in excess of 30 days if, in his judgment, the abatement, removal, prevention, cessation or cure of the condition violated cannot reasonably be effected within the thirty-day period. In such cases, the enforcement officer shall state such reasonably required extended period in the notice, which shall then be applicable instead of the thirty-day period. No extension of the ten-day period for remediation of any violation regarding removal of grass, weeds, brush or other debris shall be granted.
(3) 
If the violation is not abated, removed, cured, prevented or desisted from or otherwise fully remedied within the thirty-day period or within such extended period as set forth in the notice, pursuant to Subsection D(2) of this section, a summons shall be issued against the person so notified. Any extension beyond 60 days must be approved by the administrative officer.
(4) 
If the violation regarding removal of grass, weeds, brush or other debris is not remediated within the ten-day period set forth in the notice, a summons shall be issued against the person notified. In addition, the enforcement officer may cause the removal thereof.
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
E. 
Emergency conditions. Whenever the enforcement officer finds that an emergency condition in violation of this article exists, which condition requires immediate attention in order to protect the public health or safety, he may issue an order to protect the public health or safety by service of notice as set forth in Subsection D of this section, reciting the existence of such emergency condition and requiring that such action be taken by the violator as soon as is reasonably necessary to meet the emergency. Notwithstanding any other provision of this article to the contrary, such order shall be effective immediately. Any person to whom such an order is directed shall comply therewith immediately, but, upon objection in writing to the enforcement officer, any such person shall be afforded a hearing before the Council as soon as is reasonably possible. After such hearing and decision by the Council as to the existence or nonexistence of the emergency condition, the Council may continue such order in effect or modify or withdraw it, subject to the issuance of a summons for violation thereof if such order is continued.
Any person convicted of a violation of any of the provisions of this article or any order promulgated under this article shall be punished in accordance with § 1-2, Violations; penalties, of the Code of the Township of Hamilton.
[Amended 1-20-2004 by Ord. No. 04-002; 7-18-2017 by Ord. No. 17-029; 4-16-2024 by Ord. No. 24-017]
If the owner, tenant or person in possession of the lands served notice pursuant to this article shall refuse or neglect to abate or remedy the violation regarding grass, weeds, brush or other debris set forth in the notice within five days after receipt of notice, the enforcement officer shall cause the condition complained of to be abated and remedied by the Department of Public Works, which shall certify the cost thereof to the Department of Finance, which shall cause the cost as shown thereon to be charged against the lands. The amount so charged shall forthwith become and form a part of the taxes next to be assessed and levied upon such lands and 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.