[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of Barnegat 5-20-43. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Amended 6-30-92 by Ord. No. 1992-11; 6-15-98 by Ord. No. 1998-10; 7-5-16 by Ord. No. 2016-17; 8-3-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-13]
A. 
It is prohibited to allow any land within the Township of Barnegat to have upon it brush, weeds, dead or dying trees, stumps, roots, obnoxious growth, filth, garbage, trash, debris or vegetative matter determined by the Township Code Enforcement Officer or Zoning Officer to be hazardous to public health, safety, or welfare. This includes the growth of grass, weeds, or vegetative matter other than shrubs, trees, cultivated flowers or gardens in excess of 10 inches.
B. 
In addition, it is prohibited to allow standing water to remain in pools (either above or below ground) which are deemed to be a health hazard.
[Amended 6-30-92 by Ord. No. 1992-11; 6-15-98 by Ord. No. 1998-10]
If the Township Code Enforcement Officer or Zoning Officer shall determine that the land is a hazard to public health, safety or welfare because of the presence of the matter described in this chapter, the landowner, tenant or agent of the landowner shall remove the matter immediately and no longer than five (5) days after the violation has been determined by township officials and notice thereof has been issued.
[Amended 7-1-85 by Ord. No. 1985-21; 9-8-87 by Ord. No. 1987-22; 6-30-92 by Ord. No. 1992-11]
The Zoning Officer or Code Enforcement Officer and their designee shall be considered the proper officers to investigate all lands with the township and to issue summons pursuant to this section.
[Amended 7-1-85 by Ord. No. 1985-21; 9-8-87 by Ord. No. 1987-22; 6-30-92 by Ord. No. 1992-11; 6-15-98 by Ord. No. 1998-10; 7-3-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-20]
A. 
In the event that the landowner shall fail to remedy the violation and remove the matter described in this chapter after the determination and notice of such by township officials, the matter shall be caused to be removed by the Township of Barnegat.
[Amended 7-3-18 by Ord. No. 2018-20]
B. 
The costs incurred for the removal of matter by the Township of Barnegat shall be charged against the land and shall become a lien upon the land and shall be added to and become part of the taxes next to be assessed upon the land, with the same rate of interest accruing as taxes. The lien shall be collected by the same township officers and in the same manner as property taxes.
C. 
If the Township removes the matter from the land in violation, costs for the removal shall be determined by the Administrator and shall include, but not be limited to labor, equipment charges, fuel, or depreciation. If the cost of removal is by outside contractor, the cost of the contract plus administrative fee shall be assessed.
[Amended 7-3-18 by Ord. No. 2018-20]
All structures and land shall be maintained in a clean, safe, secure and sanitary condition as provided herein so as not to cause a blighting problem or adversely affect the public health or safety.
[Amended 7-5-16 by Ord. No. 2016-17]
(1) 
Charges to be incurred to property owner:
[Added 11-19-01 by Ord. No. 2001-38; 9-18-12 by Ord. No. 2012-20]
Foreman:
$60.00 per hour
Laborer/driver:
$40.00 per hour
Push lawn mower:
$15.00 per hour
Riding lawn mower:
$40.00 per hour
Weed Wacker:
$15.00 per hour
Trailer:
$15.00 per hour
Pick up truck:
$30.00 per hour
Chain saw:
$15.00 per hour
Blower:
$15.00 per hour
Administrative Fee:
$250.00
Lawn grass/weed cutting 1st offense:
$200.00
Lawn grass/weed cutting 2nd offense:
$300.00
Lawn grass/weed cutting 3rd offense:
$500.00
Minimum fee of trash debris cleanup of $500.00. Increase adjusted based upon volume of debris cleanup.
[Added 7-5-16 by Ord. No. 2016-17]
(2) 
Rates defined in this chapter may be amended by Resolution of the Governing Body as deemed necessary.
D. 
Notice shall be made by personal service on the landowner or by certified mail to the last known address of the landowner.
[Amended 7-3-18 by Ord. No. 2018-20]
[Amended 6-15-98 by Ord. No. 1998-10; 7-5-16 by Ord. No. 2016-17; 7-9-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-8; 12-5-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-32; 4-1-2025 by Ord. No. 2025-9]
In the event that any person, individual, firm, partnership, entity or corporation is found to be in violation of this chapter, he shall be subject to fines and penalties as follows:
A. 
First offense: a fine of not less than $200.
B. 
Second offense: a fine of not less than $400 and not to exceed $1,000.
C. 
A third or subsequent offense: the fine shall be $2,000 or 90 days in the Ocean County Jail.
D. 
Each day of violation shall be a separate offense and subject the violator to a separate penalty.
E. 
Any person charged with two or more offenses shall require a mandatory court appearance.