[Added 2-26-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-01]
The purpose of this article is to protect and promote the public health through the control of the growth of invasive plant species.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
INVASIVE PLANTS
Vegetation which, by its nature, grows beyond the property of its owner, and causes a neighboring property owner potential hardship due to the vegetation being overly competitive, poisonous, allergenic, illegal by State statute, or hazardous to the neighboring property's structures and facilities is deemed to be "invasive" for the purposes of this ordinance.
All persons must control the growth of invasive plants. Failure to control the spread of such vegetation beyond the boundaries of a resident's property is a violation of this chapter.
All places and premises in the Borough of Raritan may be subject to inspection by the Property Maintenance Officer or his designee, however, an inspection may only be made of an alleged property if a neighboring property owner files a complaint alleging that any section of this chapter has been violated.
A. 
Whenever an invasive plant, as defined by this chapter, is found on any plot of land, lot or any other premises or place, a violation notice shall be given to the owner, in writing, to remove or abate the violation within such time as shall be specified in such notice.
B. 
The cost of abatement shall be borne by the property owner.
C. 
If the owner fails to comply with such notice within the timer specified therein, the enforcing official may remove or otherwise control the invasive plant species and the Borough may thereafter recover the cost of such removal from the property owner and place a lien on the property to recover the cost of invasive plants removal.
Any property owner who is in violation of this article will have one year from the effective date of this article to have all invasive plants removed from the property.
Any person, partnership, limited liability company, corporation or other entity who shall violate any provision of this chapter shall, upon conviction thereof, be subject to the maximum fines and penalties established under N.J.S.A. 40:49-5 and 40:69A-29, and as same shall be amended from time to time. Each and every day a violation of this chapter shall exist shall constitute a separate violation.