The exterior of the premises and all structures thereon shall be kept free of all nuisances and any hazards to the safety of occupants, pedestrians and other persons utilizing the premises and free of unsanitary conditions, and any of the foregoing shall be promptly removed and abated by the owner or operator. It shall be the duty of the owner or operator to keep the premises free of hazards, which include, but are not limited to, the following:
A. 
Refuse. Brush, weeds, broken glass, stumps, roots, obnoxious growths, filth, garbage, trash, refuse and debris.
B. 
Natural growth. Dead and dying trees and limbs or other natural growth which, by reason of rotting or deteriorating conditions or storm damage, constitute a hazard to persons in the vicinity thereof. Trees shall be kept pruned and trimmed to prevent such conditions.
C. 
Overhangings. Loose and overhanging objects, and trees, limbs and branches and objects with accumulations of ice and snow, which, by reason of location above ground level, constitute a danger of falling on persons in the vicinity thereof, or causing damage to neighbors' property.
[Amended 11-27-2000 by Ord. No. O-00-34]
D. 
Ground surface hazards or unsanitary conditions. Holes, excavations, breaks, projections, obstructions, icy conditions, uncleared snow and excretion of pets and other animals on paths, walks, driveways, parking lots and parking areas and other parts of the premises which are accessible to and used by persons on the premises. All such holes and excavations shall be filled and repaired, walks and steps replaced and other conditions removed where necessary to eliminate hazards or unsanitary conditions with reasonable dispatch upon their discovery. This subsection does not apply to single-family dwellings.
E. 
Recurring accumulations of stormwater. Adequate runoff drains shall be provided and maintained to eliminate any recurrent or excessive accumulation of stormwater.
F. 
Sources of infestation.
G. 
Foundation walls. Foundation walls shall be kept structurally sound, free from defects and damage and capable of bearing imposed loads safely.
H. 
Chimneys and all flue and vent attachments thereto. Chimneys and all flue and vent attachments thereto shall be maintained structurally sound, free from defects and be so maintained as to capably perform at all times the functions for which they were designed. Chimneys, flues, gas vents or other draft-producing equipment shall provide sufficient draft to develop the rated output of the connected equipment, shall be structurally safe, durable, smoke-tight and capable of withstanding the action of flue gases.
I. 
Exterior porches, landings, balconies, stairs and fire escapes. Exterior porches, landings, balconies, stairs and fire escapes shall be provided with bannisters or railings properly designed and maintained to minimize the hazard of falling, and the same shall be kept structurally sound, in good repair and free from defects.
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 for adjoining property owners, including the following:
A. 
Storage of commercial and industrial material. There shall not be stored or used at a location visible from the sidewalk, street or other public areas, equipment and materials relating to commercial or industrial uses unless permitted under the Zoning Ordinance of the Township of Gloucester for the premises.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 500, Land Development.
B. 
Landscaping. Premises with landscaping and lawns, hedges and bushes shall be kept trimmed and from becoming overgrown and unsightly where exposed to public view and where the same constitute a blighting factor depreciating adjoining property. Lawns with grass higher than 10 inches shall be presumed in violation of this section. Grass, weeds and all other vegetation other than trees on larger tracts of land adjoining improved residential properties shall be maintained cut for a minimum distance of 300 feet from such adjoining property lines.
[Amended 10-26-1992 by Ord. No. O-92-48; 10-10-1994 by Ord. No. O-94-47]
C. 
Reconstructed walls and siding. Reconstructed walls and sidings of nonresidential structures shall be of standard quality and appearance commensurate with the character of the properties in the same block and on both sides of the street on which the premises front, such that the materials used will not be of a kind that, by their appearance under prevailing appraisal practices and standards, will depreciate the values of the neighboring and adjoining premises as aforesaid.
D. 
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 glass, loose shingles, crumbling stone or brick, excessive peeling paint or other condition reflective of deterioration or inadequate maintenance to the end that the property itself may be preserved safely and fire hazards eliminated and adjoining properties protected from blighting influences. A periodic (every month) exterminating service shall be maintained in all multiple-family dwellings.
[Added 6-27-1988 by Ord. No. O-88-30]
A. 
The storage of any bulky household items such as appliances, furniture, mattresses, etc., except in a fully enclosed structure, is prohibited. This section shall not prohibit the use and placement of accessory residential lawn furniture nor the placement of bulk items for collection on designated days for collection.
B. 
The storage of tires except in a fully enclosed structure is prohibited.
C. 
The accumulation of debris on or around construction sites or its storage in such a manner that it is likely to be removed by natural forces onto adjacent property is prohibited.
D. 
Open or overflowing commercial or residential waste disposal bins or receptacles are prohibited.
E. 
The blowing or disposing of grass, weeds or other vegetation clippings, into the street or public right-of-way, by either the property owner or the lawn maintenance contractor, is prohibited with the exception of the fall leaf season as scheduled by the Director of Public Works.
[Added 1-10-2005 by Ord. No. O-04-41; amended 6-27-2005 by Ord. No. O-05-17]
[Added 10-15-2013 by Ord. No. O-13-16]
It is determined the bamboo plant is an invasive plant and often difficult to control, and can and has caused significant damage to properties in the Township of Gloucester. The purpose of this section is to preserve and protect private and public property from the damaging spread of bamboo grasses, protect property and indigenous plant materials from the invasive spread of bamboo and to maintain the general welfare of the residents of the Township of Gloucester.
A. 
Prohibition. No owner, tenant or occupant of a property, or person, corporation or other entity, shall plant, install or cause or permit the planting or installation of plant species commonly known as "bamboo-running or clumping," including but not limited to the following plant genera: Arundinaria, Bambusa, Chimonobambusa, Dendrocalamus, Fargesia, Phyllostachys, Pleioblastus, Pseudosasa, Sasa, Sasaella and Semiarundinaria, upon any property located within the Township of Gloucester.
B. 
Duty to confine. In the event any species commonly known as "bamboo-running or clumping" is located upon any property within the Township of Gloucester, prior to the effective date of this prohibition, the owner or occupant of said property shall confine such species to prevent the encroachment, spread, invasion or intrusion of same onto any other private or public property or public right-of-way. Said confinement shall be by a barrier, constructed in accordance with specification approved by the Code Enforcement Officer of the Township of Gloucester, and as may be amended from time to time, and inspected and permitted by the office of the Code Enforcement Officer. Failure to properly confine such bamboo shall require removal. In lieu of the duty to confine, the property owner or occupant may elect to totally remove the bamboo from the property.
C. 
Removal. In the event bamboo-running or clumping is present on the effective date of this prohibition and a complaint is received by the Township regarding an encroachment of any bamboo plant or root, and the Code Enforcement Officer of the Township, by observation, inspection, determines that there is an encroachment or invasion on any adjoining private or public property or public right-of-way, the Township shall notice the bamboo property owner in writing that the bamboo has invaded other private or public property or public right-of-way and demand the removal of the bamboo from such other private or public property or public right-of-way and the demand confinement against future encroachment or the total removal from the bamboo property owner's property. Notice shall be provided by certified, return receipt requested, mail and regular mail. If the bamboo property owner does not remove or contract for the removal of the bamboo from such other private or public property or public right-of-way within 45 days of the date of notice, the Code Enforcement Officer of Township of Gloucester shall cause a citation to be issued with a penalty up to $500 for each day the violation continues, enforceable through the Municipal Court of the Township of Gloucester, as well as civil proceedings for injunctive or civil relief. Nothing herein shall be interpreted as limiting the rights of a private property owner to seek civil relief through a court of proper jurisdiction, nor the institution of civil proceedings against the proper parties. When an encroachment is upon public property or public right-of-way, the Township of Gloucester, at its discretion, may remove or contract for the removal of such bamboo from the Township property or public right-of-way, the cost of which shall be the responsibility of the bamboo property owner and shall be assessed as a lien against the property on which the bamboo growth originated. The cost of removal from the Township owned property and or public right-of-way shall include the installation of an appropriate barrier to prevent future bamboo invasion.
D. 
Replanting prohibited. Any bamboo-running or clumping either planted or caused to be planted or existing on the effective date of this regulation may not be replanted or replaced once such bamboo is or has become dead, destroyed, uprooted or otherwise removed.
[Added 3-23-2015 by Ord. No. O-15-06]
A. 
The purpose of this section is to prohibit excessive feeding of wildlife and birds as to create a disturbance, nuisance, public health or unsightly condition by placing of large amounts of bird feed, grain, or other food on the ground, as this can present a health, safety and welfare concern and create unsightly conditions, and large concentrations of wildlife, noise and other disturbances.
B. 
The prohibition contained herein shall apply to all residential districts and any portion of a commercial or industrial district within 300 feet of a residential district.
C. 
Excessive feeding of birds and wildlife in residential areas has an unreasonable adverse effect on the use and enjoyment of neighboring residential properties. The provisions herein are intended to curb such adverse effect by prohibiting excessive wildlife and bird feeding and bird feeders.
D. 
Definitions. The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this section, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section:
EXCESSIVE FEEDING
Spreading, casting, laying, depositing or dumping of feed on any property, other than as permitted by this section.
FEED
Any material, including but not limited to bird seed, bird feed, corn, bread crumbs, food scraps, domestic animal food, or any similar substance which can be utilized for consumption by wild/feral mammals and/or birds to provide nourishment.
HANGING FEEDER
Feeders designed for suspension from a post or other stationary object, such as hoppers, tube feeders, window feeders and post-mounted feeders. The majority of the feed remains enclosed within the feeder.
PLATFORM FEEDERS
Feeders designed for open placement of feed generally intended for consumption by ground-feeding species. A minimum one-inch-lip shall encompass all platform feeders. A maximum total of one pound of feed shall be present on any platform-type feeder. All platform-type feeders must be located at least 10 feet inside the property line.
WILD FERAL ANIMAL OR BIRD
Any mammal or bird not generally considered domesticated, such as but not limited to squirrel, chipmunk, rat, mouse, rabbit, raccoon, opossum, skunk.
E. 
Prohibition.
(1) 
No excessive bird seed, grain, nuts, crumbs, scraps or any form of bird food or other food intended to attract and feed birds or other wildlife shall be thrown or scattered on the ground of any property. Ground feeding is prohibited except contained in an approved platform feeder.
(2) 
No person shall dispense, feed or otherwise make available to any species of wildlife, including birds, either on their property or property of another, any type or amount of food in a manner that:
(a) 
Creates an unclean, unsafe or unsightly condition.
(b) 
Results in an excessive accumulation of droppings, feces and/or feathers.
(c) 
Attracts excessive wildlife, vermin or pests.
(d) 
Creates unreasonable disturbance.
(e) 
Constitutes a private or public disturbance.
F. 
Permitted. Feeding of birds/wildlife is permitted in containers as follows:
(1) 
Permitted bird feeder shall be either:
(a) 
A tube or cylinder-type feeder hung from a tree or pole.
(b) 
A hopper-type feeder which shall be no larger than 12 inches in width and height, fully enclosed on all sides with openings of no more than 1/2 inch in size.
(2) 
Bird feeders shall be hung no less than three feet and no more than eight feet from the ground. They shall be filled with no more than 10 ounces of bird feed or bird food at any time to be placed inside the feeder only. Ground feeding is prohibited.
(3) 
The maximum number of feeders per lot shall be as follows:
(a) 
Hanging feeders: four.
(b) 
Suet feeders: two.
(c) 
Water dispensers: two.
(d) 
Platform feeders: one.
A. 
The outside building walls shall not have any holes, loose boards or any broken, cracked or damaged finish which admits rain, cold air, dampness, rodents, insects or vermin.
B. 
Every dwelling shall be so maintained as to be weather- and watertight.
C. 
Basements, cellars and crawl spaces shall be free of moisture resulting from seepage, and cross-ventilation shall be required where necessary to prevent accumulations of moisture and dampness, and they shall be paved with stone or concrete not less than four inches thick and shall be maintained at all times in a condition so as to be smooth, clean and free from cracks, breaks and other hazards.
D. 
All parts of the premises shall be maintained so as to prevent infestation.
E. 
All parts of the dwelling shall be kept in a clean and sanitary condition, free of nuisances and free from health, safety and fire hazards.
F. 
Every roof, roof gutter, flashing, rainwater conductor and roof cornice shall be weather- and raintight and shall be kept in good repair.