Borough of Emerson, NJ Chapter 111 Bamboo

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Emerson 12-3-2013 by Ord. No. 1470. Amendments noted where applicable.]

§ 111-1 Purpose.

This chapter is adopted to control the planting, cultivating or growing of bamboo in the Borough of Emerson; and to require barriers to prevent the spread of existing bamboo into other areas of the Borough.

§ 111-2 Regulation of planting, growing or cultivating of bamboo.

Subject to certain exemptions set forth in this chapter, no persons, or other property owners or tenants, shall plant, cultivate, or cause to grow any bamboo on any lot or parcel of ground in the Borough of Emerson, subject to the following exceptions:

A. The root system of such bamboo plants is 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 it is planted; or

[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]

B. The root system is contained within a properly constructed and maintained barrier system.

C. 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 10 feet to any property line.

§ 111-3 Exemptions.

This chapter shall not apply to any land owner or possessor who, prior to the effective date of this chapter, has planted or caused to grow any bamboo on any property within the Borough limits unless the Code Enforcement Official determines, on his 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 land owner or any possessor of said land.

§ 111-4 Complaint notice; order for removal; compliance.

[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]

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 on to the property of another land owner, or tenant in possession of the property, or both, the Borough shall cause notice to be served, which notice shall be substantially as follows:

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 shall be deemed complete on the date of personal delivery, or the date the certified mail is marked refused or unclaimed or otherwise undeliverable by the United States Post Office, when the first-class mail was not returned.

B. The notice shall specify the nature of the violation.

C. The notice shall state that the violation must be corrected within 30 days from the date of the received or returned mailing.

D. The notice shall state specifically what must be done by the responsible party to correct the violation.

§ 111-5 Violations and penalties.

A. Any person determined by any court of competent jurisdiction to have violated this chapter shall be subject to pay a fine of not less than $50 per day, nor more than $125 per day, or each day the violation existed after the date for removal as set forth in the notice which was sent to violator, and received by the violator. Each day of a continuing violation shall constitute a separate offense, for which an additional fine can be levied. The per-day fine will be in addition to a penalty for failure to comply with the Bamboo Ordinance. This fine can be up to the maximum penalty set by the State of New Jersey.

[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]

B. If the violation is not remedied within the time set forth in the aforesaid notice, the Borough is hereby authorized to remove or have removed any encroaching bamboo and to take all reasonable steps to eradicate the regrowth of the bamboo on the public rights-of-way, including sidewalks, and to restore such land to its normal condition, prior to such removal and eradication.

C. The cost of the corrective action together with any civil penalties, legal fees and other costs shall be recoverable from the responsible party.