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.
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.