[Ord. No. 615-2009; amended 6-24-2020 by Ord. No. 806-2020[1]]
[1]
Editor's Note: Res. No. 137-2020, adopted 6-24-2020, declared this ordinance an emergency enactment and provided for it to be effective immediately.
In addition to the provisions of this chapter, the following sections of the International Property Maintenance Code, 2009 (IPMC), as may be amended from time to time, are hereby adopted by the Borough of Avalon in order to more effectively ensure the proper maintenance of property and buildings. Three copies of the International Property Maintenance Code, 2009, shall be kept on file in the Borough Clerk's office.
a. 
IPMC Chapter 2, Definitions, is hereby adopted in full and incorporated by reference, and all definitions contained in said chapter of the IPMC that are applicable to the sections of the IPMC adopted by the Borough shall control the meaning of such terms used.
b. 
IPMC Chapter 3, General Requirements.
1. 
Section 301—General—Sections 301.1 through 301.3 are adopted.
2. 
Section 302—Exterior Property Areas—Section 30-2.1 through Section 302.5 adopted. The vegetation height in Section 302.4 shall be "9 inches." Section 302.6 is not adopted. Section 302.7 through Section 302.9 adopted.
3. 
Section 303—Swimming Pools, Spas and Hot Tubs—Section 303.1 through Section 303.2 adopted.
4. 
Section 304—Exterior Structure—Section 304.1 through Section 3-4.1.1 adopted.
5. 
Section 305—Interior Structure—Section 305.1 through 305.1.1 adopted.
6. 
Section 306—Component Serviceability—Section 305.1 through Section 306.1.1 adopted.
7. 
Section 307—Handrails and Guardrails—Section 307.1 adopted.
8. 
Section 309—Pest Elimination—Section 309.1 through 309.5 adopted.
c. 
IPMC Chapter 8, Referenced Standards, is hereby adopted in full and incorporated by reference, and all standards referred to in said Chapter 8 of the IPMC that are applicable to the IPMC sections adopted hereunder are deemed applicable to those sections.
a. 
The provisions of § 16-1 (International Property Maintenance Code) shall be enforced by the Division of Code Enforcement in the Department of Administration of the Borough.
b. 
Whenever such Division shall determine that a violation exists as to any matter set forth in § 16-1.1 hereof, the Code Enforcement Officer shall prepare and serve a written complaint and notice to repair upon the property owner and any other party in interest, specifying the nature of the alleged violation. Such notice shall be served in person or by certified mail.
c. 
The complaint shall specify:
1. 
The date certain by which the violation(s) shall be corrected or abated.
2. 
That the owner or other party in interest may request a hearing before the Code Enforcement Officer, provided that such request for hearing shall be received by the Code Enforcement Officer within 10 business days of the service of the complaint. Such request shall be in writing and served on the Code Enforcement Officer at the address specified in the complaint. A copy shall also be filed with the Borough Clerk.
3. 
If a hearing is requested, such hearing shall be held before the Code Enforcement Officer not sooner than 10 business days nor later than 20 business days following written request for the hearing. At the conclusion of such hearing, one of the following actions shall occur:
(a) 
The complaint may be withdrawn or amended.
(b) 
A time for the necessary repairs to abate the violation(s) may be agreed upon and reduced to a written order of the Code Enforcement Officer, If the property owner should fail or neglect to abide by such order within the time specified, then the Code Enforcement Officer shall proceed as hereinafter provided.
4. 
In the absence of a request for a hearing before the Code Enforcement Officer, the property owner shall complete all repairs necessary to abate the violation by the date specified in the complaint. Should the property owner fail, neglect, or refuse to make the repairs required to abate the violation, then the Code Enforcement Officer, in consultation with the Business Administrator and Chief Financial Officer, shall proceed to abate the violation either through the use of Borough employees or by contracting with third-party contractors in accordance with the requirements of the Local Public Contracts Law, N.J.S.A. 40A:11-1 et seq.
d. 
The costs to be recovered are those set forth in § 16-2.8 hereof, namely:
1. 
The cost of the filing of legal papers, expert witnesses' fees, search fees and advertising charges, incurred in the course of any proceeding taken under this chapter; and
2. 
The cost of such repairs, alterations or improvements, or vacating and closing, or removal or demolition, if any, shall be a municipal lien against the real property upon which such cost was incurred.
e. 
The cost of such repair(s) to abate the violation shall then be certified to the Borough Council by the Code Enforcement Officer, or other Borough official or officer; and upon the adoption of a resolution by Borough Council approving the costs, the same shall then be certified to the Borough Tax Collector, and a copy thereof shall be forthwith forwarded to the owner by certified mail. The Tax Collector shall then collect those costs in the same manner and fashion as ad valorem real estate taxes. Any owner or party in interest may, within 30 days from the date of the filing of the lien certificate, proceed in a summary manner in the Superior Court to contest the reasonableness of the amount or the accuracy of the costs set forth in the municipal lien certificate.
f. 
Nothing contained herein shall be construed as precluding or preventing the Code Enforcement Officer from filing a complaint in the Municipal Court, in the exercise of his/her discretion, for a violation of the International Property Maintenance Code described in § 16-1.1 after serving a complaint and notice to repair and abate and following the neglect, failure or refusal to do so by the owner. Upon conviction, the property owner shall be subject to such penalty or penalties as prescribed in § 16-5.11 hereof. Each 24 hours, or part thereof, that such violation exists shall constitute a separate and distinct offense and shall be punishable accordingly. The penalty shall commence on the date fixed for repair and abatement and shall continue daily thereafter for each 24 hours or part thereof until adjudication by the Municipal Court or other court of competent jurisdiction.
The IPMC contains provisions which clearly indicate that the IPMC does not amend or supersede any provision of the Zoning Ordinance or the Municipal Land Use Law. To the extent that any provision of such ordinance or law should conflict with the IPMC sections adopted hereby, the Zoning Ordinance and/or Municipal Land Use Law shall control. To the extent that the IPMC sections adopted conflict with other local ordinances, the IPMC sections adopted hereby shall control and supersede those conflicting ordinances, if any.
[2000 Code § 16:7]
It is hereby found and determined that there exists in the Borough of Avalon a building or buildings which are unfit for human habitation or occupancy or use due to dilapidation, defects increasing the hazards of fire, accidents or other calamities, lack of ventilation, light or sanitary facilities or due to other conditions rendering such building or buildings or part thereof, unsafe or insanitary or dangerous or detrimental to the health or safety or otherwise inimical to the welfare of the residents of the Borough of Avalon and that a public necessity exists for the repair, closing or demolition of such building or buildings or part thereof.
[2000 Code § 16:7-1]
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:48-2.3 et seq., the Construction Official of the Borough of Avalon is hereby designated and appointed as the Public Officer to exercise the powers prescribed by this section; provided, however, that the Borough Council may, by resolution, designate or appoint additional persons, boards or bodies as the Public Officer to exercise the powers prescribed by this chapter.
[2000 Code § 16:7-2]
Whenever the Public Officer of the Borough of Avalon designated herein finds that there exists in the Borough of Avalon any building or buildings which are unfit for human habitation or occupancy or use due to dilapidation, defects increasing the hazards of fire, accidents or other calamities, lack of ventilation, light or sanitation facilities or due to other conditions rendering such building or buildings or part thereof unsafe or unsanitary or dangerous or detrimental to the health or safety or otherwise inimical to the welfare of the residents of the Borough of Avalon, then said Public Officer shall exercise the power vested under this section and under its police powers to repair, close or demolish or cause the repairing, closing or demolition of such building, or buildings or part thereof, in the manner provided.
[2000 Code § 16:7-3; N.J.S.A. 40:48-2.5]
Whenever a petition is filed with said Public Officer by the Cape May County Health Officer, Police Chief, Fire Chief or any other officer in charge of any department of the Borough of Avalon relating to health, fire, building regulations or activities concerning buildings in the Borough of Avalon or by at least five (5) residents of the Borough of Avalon charging that any building within the Borough of Avalon is unfit for human habitation or occupancy or use, or whenever it appears to the Public Officer that any building is unfit for human habitation or occupancy or use, the Public Officer shall, if his preliminary investigation disclosures a basis for such charges, issue and cause to be served upon the owner of and parties in interest in such building a complaint, stating the charges in that respect and containing a notice that a hearing will be held before the Public Officer or his designated agent at a place therein fixed not less than seven (7) days nor more than thirty (30) days after the serving of said complaint; that the owner and parties in interest shall be given the right to file an answer to the complaint and to appear in person or otherwise and give testimony at the place and time fixed in the complaint; and that the rules of evidence prevailing in the courts shall not be controlling in hearings before the Public Officer.
[2000 Code § 16:7-4]
If, after notice and hearing, said Public Officer determines that the building under consideration is unfit for human habitation or occupancy or use, he shall state in writing his findings of fact in support of such determination and shall issue and cause to be served upon the owner thereof and parties in interest an order requiring the repair, alteration or improvement of said building to be made by the owner, within a reasonable time, which time shall be set forth in the order, or, at the option of the owner, to vacate or have said building vacated and closed within the time set forth in the order; and if the building is in such a condition as to make it dangerous to the health and safety of persons on or near the premises, and the owner fails to repair, alter or improve said building within the time specified in the order, then the owner shall be required to remove or demolish said building within the reasonable time specified in the order of removal.
[2000 Code § 16:7-5]
If the owner shall fail to comply with the order to repair, alter or improve or, at the option of the owner, to vacate and close the building, the Public Officer may cause such building to be repaired, altered or improved or to be vacated and closed; and the Public Officer may cause to be posted on the main entrance of any building so closed, a placard with the following words:
"This building is unfit for human habitation or occupancy or use; the use or occupation of this building is prohibited and unlawful."
[2000 Code § 16:7-6]
If the owner fails to comply with an order to remove or demolish the building, the Public Officer may cause such building to be removed or demolished, or he may contract for the removal or demolition thereof after advertisement for and receipt of bids therefor.
[2000 Code § 16:7-7; N.J.S.A. 40:48-2.5]
That the amount of:
a. 
the cost of the filing of legal papers, expert witnesses' fees, search fees and advertising charges, incurred in the course of any proceeding taken under this act determined in favor of the Borough, and
b. 
such cost of such repairs, alterations or improvements, or vacating and closing, or removal or demolition, if any, or the amount of the balance thereof remaining after deduction of the sum, if any, realized from the sale of materials derived from such building or from any contract for removal or demolition thereof, shall be a municipal lien against the real property upon which such cost was incurred. If the building is removed or demolished by the Public Officer, he shall sell the materials of such building. There shall be credited against the cost of the removal or demolition thereof, including the clearance and, if necessary, leveling of the site, the proceeds of any sale of such materials or any sum derived from any contract for the removal or demolition of the building. If there are no such credits or if the sum total of such costs exceeds the total of such credits, a detailed statement of the aforesaid costs and the amount so due shall be filed with the Municipal Tax Assessor or other custodian of the records of tax liens and a copy thereof shall be forthwith forwarded to the owner by registered mail. If the total of the credits exceed such costs, the balance remaining shall be deposited in the Superior Court by the Public Officer, shall be secured in such manner as may be directed by such court, and shall be disbursed according to the order or judgment of the court to the persons found to be entitled thereto by final order or judgment of such court. Any owner or party in interest may, within thirty (30) days from the date of the filing of the lien certificate, proceed in a summary manner in the Superior Court to contest the reasonableness of the amount or the accuracy of the costs set forth in the municipal lien certificate.
[2000 Code § 16:7-8]
The Public Officer may determine that a building is unfit for human habitation or occupancy or use if he finds that conditions exist in such building which are dangerous or injurious to the health or safety of the occupants of such building, the occupants of neighboring buildings or other residents of the Borough of Avalon; such conditions may include the following: defects therein increasing the hazards of fire, accident or other calamities; lack of adequate ventilation, light or sanitary facilities; dilapidation; disrepair; structural defects; uncleanliness; failure to have included in said building running water or inside toilet facilities; failure to have serving said building a sewage disposal system which meets the minimum standards of any applicable ordinances or statute.
[2000 Code § 16:7-9]
A complaint or order issued by the Public Officer pursuant to this section shall be served upon persons either personally or by registered mail, but if the whereabouts of such persons is unknown and cannot be ascertained by the Public Officer in the exercise of reasonable diligence and the Public Officer shall make an affidavit to that effect, then the serving of such complaint or order upon such persons shall be made by publishing the same once each week for two (2) successive weeks in the official newspaper of the Borough of Avalon. A copy of such complaint or order shall be posted in a conspicuous place on premises affected by the complaint or order. A copy of such complaint or order shall be duly recorded or lodged for record in the office of the Cape May County Clerk.
[2000 Code § 16:7-10]
The Public Officer or other official designated under this section may exercise such powers and provisions of this section, including but not limited to the following powers, in addition to the others herein granted.
a. 
To investigate the building conditions in the Borough of Avalon in order to determine which buildings therein are unfit for human habitation or occupancy or use.
b. 
To administer oaths and affirmations, examine witnesses and receive evidence.
c. 
To enter upon the premises for the purpose of making examinations in accordance with applicable ordinances and statutes; provided, however, that entries shall be made in such manner as to cause the least possible inconvenience to the persons in possession.
d. 
To appoint and fix the duties of such officers, agents and employees as he deems necessary to carry out the purposes of this section.
[2000 Code § 16:7-11]
The Public Officer shall not contract for nor proceed with the repair, alteration, improvement, removal or demolition of any building or buildings, unless and until the Borough Council, by appropriate resolution, directs that such action be taken.
[2000 Code § 18:8-8.1]
a. 
It is hereby determined and declared that the existence of obnoxious growths and other matter hereafter described, upon lands in the Borough and lands which are not filled to proper legal grades and which permit the accumulation of stagnant waters, refuse and other obnoxious materials, or any one (1) or more of said conditions, may provide a means for the breeding of mosquitoes, flies and insects and may tend to permit the existence of dirt and vermin which would be contrary to the public health, safety and general welfare and could become a fire hazard and a nuisance which should be abated and abolished in the public interest.
b. 
It is hereby declared that this section is necessary in the interest of the public and especially the health of the public.
[2000 Code § 18:8-8.2]
a. 
Whenever an Enforcement Official, as defined in this section, shall determine that there exists upon any land lying within the limits of the Borough, such brush, weeds, dead and dying trees, stumps, roots, ragweed, poison ivy, poison sumac, obnoxious growths, filth, garbage, trash and debris, removal of which may be necessary and expedient for the protection of the public health, safety, general welfare or to eliminate a fire hazard or any other nuisance, he/she shall give notice in writing to the owner or owners, tenants, or tenant of such lands to remove such brush, weeds, dead and dying trees, stumps, roots, ragweed, poison ivy, poison sumac, obnoxious growths, filth, garbage, trash and debris, within ten (10) days after the notice is received or posted as provided in paragraph b. below.
b. 
The notice shall be given personally or by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, directed in the case of an owner to the address of the owner as the same appears upon the last tax duplicate of the Borough and in the case of a tenant to the street address of the premises in question or to the last known address in case the lands are unimproved. In the event that personal service cannot be made because the owner or agent is not a resident of the Borough or in the event that service by certified mail is unaccepted, then the Enforcement Official shall post said notice in a conspicuous place on the premises.
[2000 Code § 18:8-8.3]
a. 
It shall be unlawful for any owner or owners, tenant or tenants, occupant or occupants of any lot or tract of land or any part thereof in the Borough, to permit, or maintain on any such lot or tract of land, any brush, weeds, dead, or dying trees, stumps, roots, ragweed, poison ivy, poison sumac, obnoxious growths, filth, garbage, trash or debris, removal of which may be necessary and expedient for the protection of the public health, safety, or general welfare or to eliminate a fire hazard, or which constitutes a nuisance.
b. 
It shall be the duty of the owner or owners, tenants or tenant, occupant or occupants of the lot or tract of land or any part thereof in the Borough, to cut and remove or cause to be cut and removed or otherwise destroyed, all such brush, weeds, dead or dying trees, stumps, roots, ragweed, poison ivy, poison sumac, obnoxious growths, filth, garbage, trash or debris. After removal, the lot or tract of land or any part thereof shall be leveled to grade to prevent puddles or water holes, within ten (10) days after receiving notice to do so.
c. 
If the owner or owners, tenant or tenants, or occupant or occupants, upon being notified as provided by this section, shall not comply with the notice within the time specified therein and fails to remove or abate such nuisances, the Borough shall proceed to abate the nuisances and hazard or may cause it to be removed or abated and assess the costs thereof against the lands, and the costs shall become a lien collectible in the same manner as delinquent taxes.
[2000 Code § 18:8-8.4]
The owner or tenant of lands lying within the limits of such municipality to keep all brush, hedges and other plant life, growing within ten (10) feet of any roadway and within twenty-five (25) feet of the intersection of the two (2) roadways, cut to a height of not more than two and one-half (2 1/2) feet where it shall be necessary and expedient for the preservation of the public safety, within ten (10) days after notice to cut the same. In the event the tenant or owner shall fail or refuse to cut same as provided herein, the Enforcement Officer may provide for the cutting of same.
[2000 Code § 18:8-8.4]
In addition to any other penalties provided herein, if the Enforcement Officer provides for the cutting of brush, hedges and other plant life as a result of the owner or tenant's failure or refusal to do so, the Enforcement Officer shall certify the cost thereof to the Borough Council, which shall examine the certificate and if found correct shall cause the cost as shown thereon to be charged against said lands, or in the event that such cost is excessive to cause the reasonable cost thereof 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 rate as other taxes and shall be collected and enforced by the same officers and in the same manner as taxes.
[2000 Code § 18:8-8.5]
It is hereby declared to be the duty of the owner or owners of any and all lots in this municipality to fill and cause each and every lot to be maintained properly filled to grade at all times. This requirement shall apply to vacant lands, areas of lands not plotted into lots and lots upon which improvements are erected.
[2000 Code § 18:8-8.6]
Whenever any of said lands below grade contain stagnant waters, obnoxious growth, filth, garbage, trash and debris, or any one (1) or more of the aforesaid, the Enforcement Official is empowered to declare the same a public nuisance and is empowered to give notice in the manner hereinbefore described to remove the same within ten (10) days after notice has been given and, in the case of unimproved lots, to fill the lands with clean fill or gravel or soil equivalent thereto in order to establish a uniform plain surface, the grade of which shall be two (2) inches above the adjacent curb height at the front property line, and shall be eight (8) inches above the curb height at the rear property line; and any and all such fill shall be top graded with materials sufficiently compacted to prevent erosion by wind. Notwithstanding the above, in the case of isolated depressions on improved lots, the depression shall be filled to make the ground level but a regrading of the lot shall not be required.
[2000 Code § 18:8-8.7]
Upon the failure of any owner, tenant or occupant to correct any condition described in this section within the time specified by any such notice, any and all of said persons are herby deemed to have violated the provisions of this section based upon the state of facts as may be found to exist with respect to the notice.
[2000 Code §§ 18:8-8.8, 18:8-8.12]
a. 
The Borough Code Enforcement Official shall have primary responsibility for enforcing the provisions of this section. In addition, the individuals designated below shall also have the authority to enforce the provisions of this chapter.
b. 
Enforcement Official shall mean and include any of the following:
1. 
Code Enforcement Official
2. 
Zoning Official
3. 
Construction Official
4. 
Subcode Officials
5. 
The Chief of Police or any member of the Avalon Police Department as well as any other official authorized by resolution of the Borough Council to enforce this section.
[2000 Code §§ 18:8-8.10]
Whenever any notice is required to be given, the person giving such notice shall file proof thereof by affidavit and shall file the same in the Office of the Borough Clerk; but a failure to file any such proof shall not invalidate the proceedings if service in fact has been made as provided for by law.
[2000 Code §§ 18:8-8.11; New]
Any person who violates this section shall upon conviction, be liable to the penalty stated in Chapter 1, Section 1-5. Any repetition of any violation of this section shall be deemed a new offense; and each day such violation is permitted to continue shall be deemed a new offense.
[2000 Code §§ 16:6-11; Ord. No. 610-2009]
As used in this section:
SECURITY BOX
shall mean a secured, locked device that is located on the exterior of the premises at or near the mean entrance which can be accessed only by the Avalon Police Department in the event that an alarm is activated and it is or becomes necessary to gain access to the premises to investigate the reason for the activation of the alarm. The security box shall contain keys to provide access to the premises. The security box shall be of the type that is commonly known as a "Knox-Box®" or the substantial equivalent thereof. The type of security box and its precise location shall be subject to approval by the Chief of Police and the Construction Code Official.
[Ord. No. 610-2009]
a. 
All buildings which contain one or more businesses, mercantile, industrial or other commercial use, and all residential buildings containing three (3) or more residential units and having one or more interior common area which locks to prevent public entry shall comply with this section.
b. 
Exceptions. Banks and savings and loans, buildings and uses that have on-site 24-hour security staffing.
[Ord. No. 610-2009]
Every building which has one or more use(s) as listed in subsection 16-4.2 above shall be equipped with a security box as defined in this section.
[Ord. No. 610-2009]
The provisions of subsection 16-4.3 shall not apply to any commercial bank, savings bank, savings and loans or other banking institution licensed or regulated by the United States of America or any of its agencies or by the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance.
[Ord. No. 610-2009]
All owners and/or occupants of any of the buildings or uses included in this section shall ensure that the keys or lock access codes within the security box are correct to allow entry through any and all locked doors on the premises. Any changes in key or lock access shall be placed into the security box within five (5) business days of such change.
[Ord. No. 610-2009]
It shall be permissible for buildings within multiple businesses or uses under this section to share a common security box, as long as the following conditions are met:
a. 
The location of the common security box is centrally located and approved by the Construction Official and the Chief of Police.
b. 
The keys or lock access codes are clearly marked and separated in a logical manner.
c. 
All owners and occupants sharing the security box are permitted to order replacement keys or lock access security codes be installed in the box at any time.
[Ord. No. 610-2009]
Any building or use(s) required to be in compliance with this section that is first occupied on or after the effective date of this section shall have the security box installed and all keys and/or lock access codes installed at the time of first occupancy. Any business, industrial, mercantile or other commercial unit that changes occupancy and locks or lock access codes shall ensure that all new keys are installed in the security box before opening for business. Any existing building or use(s) required to be in compliance with this section shall have one hundred twenty (120) days from the effective date of this section to install the security box and satisfy the other requirements of this section. (Section 16-4, Security Boxes in Commercial, Business and Multiple Family Buildings, was adopted by Ordinance No. 610-2009 on March 11, 2009.)
[Ord. No. 745-2016 § 1]
It is the stated public policy of the Borough to encourage the planting of trees, shrubs, lawns and other vegetation by all property owners and that all existing trees should be preserved and maintained to the greatest extent feasible and such policy is based on the factual findings hereinafter set forth.
[Ord. No. 745-2016 § 1]
a. 
The following actions and activities are prohibited on public property:
1. 
The removal, pruning or topping of any tree, shrub or plant from public property is prohibited unless done in conjunction with the application and participation in an approved project under the Dune Vegetation Management Plan, or otherwise with the Borough's consent. The Borough's consent shall be obtained by written application to the Business Administrator who shall consult with Department / Division Heads, Borough professionals and others to determine if approval should be granted or denied. Any approval shall be subject to such terms, conditions and provisions specified by the Business Administrator.
b. 
The following actions and activities are prohibited on private property:
1. 
The Topping of any tree is prohibited, except to the extent necessary to comply with the maximum height limitations imposed under the Living Fence subsection of Chapter 27 of this Code.
2. 
The destruction or marring of a tree, shrub or plant to circumvent the provisions of this chapter is prohibited.
3. 
The planting of any plant or vegetation on the Avalon List of Invasive and Nuisance Plants as recommended and approved by the Avalon Environmental Commission and periodically updated is prohibited.
[Ord. No. 745-2016 § 1]
The Borough Council finds and determines that the survival of most types of plant and tree life is difficult on a barrier island such as where Avalon is located. Plant and tree life has to contend with nutrient poor, sandy soils, frequent northeast storms, strong west winds, and salt-laden air. These conditions make it difficult for most vegetation to develop and mature. Vegetation of all types, especially trees and shrubs, enhance absorption of run-off back into the soil, reduce air pollution, and aid transpiration. Trees and shrubs reduce the perception of noise and act as a windbreak. Accordingly, conservation of these natural resources is in the public interest, and contributes to and promotes the public health, safety and welfare.
For these reasons, it is in the public interest to promote a public policy that has as its goal the preservation, maintenance and protection of those trees that have survived the harsh environment and developed into mature status. In an ongoing attempt to protect and promote the Borough's environment and ecological status and at the same time to protect and respect the rights and privileges of private property owners, the Borough encourages all private property owners to exercise great care and prudence in choosing whether to remove from their property trees and vegetation which can be preserved. Such owners, together with their contractors and agents, are encouraged to consider the greater good that is served by the presence of such trees and vegetation, particularly those that have grown and matured, and to use care and good judgment in deciding whether to remove such trees and vegetation.
Whenever, the preservation of trees and other vegetation is not feasible, such property owners are encouraged to replace any tree that has been removed. In doing so, property owners and their contractors and agents will act to fulfill a civic and social responsibility to the community as a whole to act in a way that will enhance and promote the public health, safety and welfare by providing to the Borough and its residents the numerous benefits that come from trees, shrubs and other vegetation and plantings.
[Ord. No. 745-2016 § 1]
a. 
Every owner of property within the Borough that contains any residential or commercial development, except as provided in paragraph b. below, is hereby requested and strongly encouraged to:
1. 
Devote a minimum of fifteen (15%) percent of the open space to the planting of "Green Space". Green space shall include not less than one (1) tree plus grass or lawn, shrubs and vegetative ground cover or any combination thereof provided, however, that any and all plantings should be from Avalon Acceptable Plant List. Green space shall not be construed to include decorative stone, pervious stone, mulch beds and pervious pavement.
b. 
Exception. The provisions of this section shall not apply in any of the following circumstances:
1. 
Where the subject property either requires or has received an approval from the Avalon Planning and Zoning Board, or other appropriate authority, pursuant to Chapter 26 (Subdivision and Site Plan) or Chapter 27 (Zoning) of the Borough Code; and/or
2. 
Where the subject property is subject to the permitting and approval procedures of the Uniform Construction Code enforced by the Construction Official.
In these events, the property owner(s) shall comply in all respects with the terms and conditions of such approval and such terms and conditions shall take precedence over the requirements of this section.
[Ord. No. 745-2016 § 1]
It shall be unlawful to clear or clean cut any lot or parcel of ground in the Borough except in the following circumstances:
a. 
New Construction — the provisions of Chapter 26 or 27 shall apply.
b. 
Demolition of Existing Structures — the Provisions of Chapter 26 or 27 shall apply.
c. 
The proposed clearing is necessary in order to comply with the provisions and requirements of the International Property Maintenance Code as adopted by this chapter.
d. 
In all other situations, the owner or developer or property and their agents, employees, contractors and subcontractors shall first be required to obtain a permit from the Zoning Official in order to clear or clean cut a vacant lot. Such permit shall be issued, without fee, and the application for such permit shall be on forms provided by the Borough. Such permit application and all documents required for the issuance of such permit shall be in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 27.
Cross Reference: See subsection 27-7.3 (Supplemental Regulations) paragraph t8.
1. 
Appeal: Any person who is aggrieved by the decision of the Zoning Official in the granting or denying of any permit will have the right to appeal as provided in Chapter 27.
Cross Reference: See subsection 27-7.3 (Supplemental Regulations) paragraph t8.
[Ord. No. 745-2016 § 1]
Any property owner is permitted to plant vegetation to constitute a "Living Fence" as that term is defined in Chapter 27 of this Code (Zoning). Such living fence, if planted, shall be maintained in accordance with the standards, terms and conditions of Chapter 27 (Zoning) which provisions are expressly incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof.
Cross Reference: See subsection 27-7.3 (Supplemental Regulations) paragraph t, 6.
[Ord. No. 745-2016 § 1]
Any property owner is permitted to install an irrigation system to water and maintain green space provided, however, that any system installed or retrofitted shall comply with the requirements of Chapter 27 of this Code pertaining to irrigation, including the provisions on Watering Restrictions contained in Section 14-1 of this Code.
Cross Reference: Chapter 14 Water and Sewage deals with Water Use Restrictions (subsection 14-15.2), Water Irrigation Restrictions (subsection 14-15.3) and Enforcement (subsection 14-15.5) and shall be applicable to all existing, new or retrofitted irrigation systems.
See also: subsection 27-7.3 (Supplemental Regulations) paragraph t9.
[Ord. No. 745-2016 § 1]
Nothing contained in this section chapter shall be construed as preventing, or intending to prevent, or discouraging the routine maintenance, including pruning and planting of materials on private property. Such routine maintenance shall be construed to include pruning of trees and vegetation as that term is defined in Chapter 27 (Zoning) of this Code, and shall include the trimming of shrubs, trees and other vegetation. While it is the public policy of the Borough to encourage all property owners to preserve, maintain, and protect all existing trees on the lot, this section shall not be construed as intending to prevent the removal of any tree that is diseased, damaged or which poses a threat to person or property.
[Ord. No. 745-2016 § 1]
The following actions by any property owner or any person or entity acting on behalf of any property owner are prohibited:
a. 
The planting of any species of tree or plant that appears on the Borough's List of Invasive and Nuisance Species as recommended by the Avalon Environmental Commission and approved by the Planning/Zoning Board pursuant to authority conferred by Borough Ordinance.
b. 
The installation of any new irrigation system or the retrofitting of an existing irrigation system that does not comply with the requirements of Chapter 27 of this Code pertaining to irrigation.
c. 
Any action that violates the Watering Restrictions imposed by Section 14-15 of this Code.
d. 
Tree Topping which is defined in Chapter 27 (Zoning) as the removal of most of the upper branches and trunk of a tree to effectuate restricted growth or the termination of the plant also known as "pollarding" or "hat-racking" is prohibited except to the extent that such action is necessary to comply with the requirements of Chapter 27 in the regulation of the height of "Living Fences".
[Ord. No. 745-2016 § 1]
Any owner(s) of any commercial or residential property, including one and two-family dwellings, who has received a construction permit based, in part, on a Landscape Plan which has been approved by the Planning/Zoning Board or the Zoning Official, shall be obligated to comply with the requirements of such plan and shall be required to maintain a minimum of fifteen (15%) percent of the open area as green space as that term is defined in Chapter 27. Any such property owner who eliminates or reduces the amount of green space below the fifteen (15%) percent requirement, without having first sought and received a variance from the Planning/Zoning Board shall be in violation of this section.
Cross Reference: subsection 27-7.3 (Supplemental Regulations) paragraph t.
[Ord. No. 745-2016 § 1]
Any person convicted of a violation of this section shall be punished in accordance with the penalties established in Chapter 1 of this Code.