[Adopted 2-9-2006 as Ch. 245 of the 2006 Code of the Borough of High Bridge]
A.
The exterior
of the premises of a dwelling structure and the condition of accessory
structures shall be maintained so that the appearance of the premises
and all buildings thereon shall reflect a level of maintenance in
keeping with the residential standards of the neighborhood and/or
such that the appearance of the premises and structure shall not constitute
a blighting factor, depreciating adjoining properties, nor an element
leading to the progressive deterioration and the downgrading of the
neighborhood, with the accompanying diminution of property values.
B.
General maintenance. In order to preserve property values, eliminate safety hazards and protect adjoining properties and the neighborhood from blighting influences, the exterior of every structure or accessory structure, including fences, shall be maintained in good repair, and all surfaces thereof shall be kept painted or whitewashed, where necessary, for the purpose of preservation and appearance, free from broken glass, loose shingles, crumbling stone or brick or excessive peeling paint. The grounds shall be maintained in accordance with Chapter 223, Littering, Article II, of this Code, so as to prevent them from constituting a blighting factor depreciating adjoining properties and impairing the neighborhood's residential character.
C.
Sidewalks, driveways, etc. The sidewalks, driveways, walkways and
entrance stairways shall be maintained in a safe condition, such as
will not constitute a hazard to persons using the premises.
The purpose of this chapter is to protect the public health,
safety and general welfare in or upon premises in the Borough of High
Bridge, as hereinafter set forth by:
A.
Establishing minimum maintenance standards for premises in the Borough
of High Bridge.
B.
Affixing the responsibilities of owners, tenants, operators and occupants
of such premises.
C.
Providing for proper notification for violation of this chapter.
D.
Providing for collection of costs incurred by the municipality.
E.
Providing for penalties for violations of this chapter.
A.
The presence, on land lying within the Borough, of brush piles, ragweed,
poison ivy, dead trees; uprooted tree stumps; uprooted roots; obnoxious
growths; filth; garbage; automobile bodies and/or body parts; automobile
parts; junk; discarded items, such as furniture, machines, appliances
or parts thereof, metal trash piles of unstacked firewood or lumber,
new or used; and other debris is hereby declared to be a nuisance
and detrimental to the public health, safety and general welfare.
The owner or tenant of lands lying within the Borough is hereby required
to remove from such lands any of the items, vegetation or materials
set forth above within 10 days after receipt of a written notice in
accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
B.
The exterior of the premises, the exterior of structures and the
condition of accessory structures shall be maintained so that the
appearance of the premises and structures shall not constitute a blighting
factor on adjoining property owners, including the following:
(1)
Storage of commercial and industrial material. There shall not be
stored or used at any location equipment or materials relating to
commercial or industrial use, unless permitted under the Land Use
and Development Ordinance for the premises.
(2)
Landscaping. Premises with landscaping, lawns, hedges or bushes shall
be kept from becoming overgrown and unsightly.
(3)
General maintenance. The exterior of every structure or accessory
structure, including fences, shall be maintained in good repair. The
same shall be maintained free of broken window glass, loose shingles,
crumbling stone or excessive peeling paint or other condition reflective
of deterioration or inadequate maintenance to the end that the property
itself may be preserved, safety or fire hazards eliminated, or adjoining
properties protected from blighting influences.
(4)
Vermin control. All parts of the premises shall be maintained as
to prevent infestation from insects, rodents and other vermin and
pests.
(5)
Firewood. All firewood shall be stacked neatly and shall be raised
a minimum of eight inches off the ground and shall not be stacked
or stored within any required front yard, side yard or rear yard setback,
as set forth in the Land Use and Development Ordinance.
The owner or tenant of lands lying within the Borough is hereby required to remove from such lands or destroy such items, materials and vegetation as set forth in § 275-3A above, and to comply with the requirements of § 275-3B above, within 10 days after receipt by such owner or tenant of a written notice in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
A.
The notice required to be given under this chapter shall be mailed
by the Borough Health Officer, Zoning Officer or other officer designated
by the Borough to said owner or tenant by certified mail, return receipt
requested, addressed to his or her last known address or, if unknown,
in the case of an owner, to his address as the same appears on the
tax records of the municipality, or in the case of a tenant, to the
property address. Notice may be served by hand delivery, as long as
service is witnessed.
B.
The period of time for compliance set forth in § 275-3 shall commence on the date of the return receipt obtained by the postal authorities for delivery of such notice or, if undelivered, on the date of the return thereof to the Borough. If notice is hand delivered, the period of time shall commence upon service of notice.
C.
Every such notice shall, in addition to requiring compliance with
this chapter, warn the owner or tenant that failure to effect such
removal within the time stated in said notice will result in such
removal by the Borough of High Bridge, and the cost of such removal
will be charged to the owner. In the event that service of notice
is made upon the owner, the cost of such removal shall forthwith 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 same, to bear interest
at the same rate and to be collected in the same manner as taxes,
as hereinafter provided.
In all cases where materials are removed from any lands under
this chapter by or under the direction of a Borough officer, to effect
such removal, such officer shall certify the cost thereof to the Borough
Mayor and Council, who shall examine the certificate and, if found
correct, shall cause the cost as shown thereon to be charged against
said lands. The amount so charged shall forthwith become a lien upon
such lands and shall be added to and become and form part of the taxes
next to be assessed and levied upon such lands, the same to bear interest
at the same rates as taxes, and shall be collected and enforced by
the same officers and in the same manner as taxes. The above costs
of removal shall be additional to any other penalties which may be
imposed under this chapter.
