[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Council of the Township of Willingboro 6-17-2025 by Ord. No. 2025-11. Amendments noted where applicable.]
Purpose. The purpose of this chapter is to promote public health, safety, and general welfare of the community by regulating the location, operation, and hours of convenience stores to reduce impacts such as traffic, loitering, noise and crime.
CONVENIENCE STORES
A retail establishment that primarily sells food, beverages, and other household goods in a quick-service format, typically under 5,000 square feet, and may or may not include fuel sales.
A. 
Convenience stores are permitted in B-1, B-2 and B-3 zoning districts.
B. 
No convenience store shall be located within 1 1/2 miles of another existing convenience store.
C. 
No convenience store shall be located within 500 feet of a public or private K-12 school, park or day-care facility.
[Amended 8-19-2025 by Ord. No. 2025-14]
A. 
Convenience stores may operate only between the hours of 5:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.
B. 
Convenience stores operating on a 24-hour basis shall be permitted only within the B-1 Business Zone located along Route 130.
A. 
The use of neon, LED, or other high intensity, colorful lighting around the exterior perimeter of the building, including but not limited to window borders, rooflines, awnings, and structural outlines, is strictly prohibited.
B. 
Adequate exterior lighting shall be maintained at all entrances and parking areas during hours of operation.
C. 
A surveillance system must be installed and operational during all hours of business.
[Amended 8-19-2025 by Ord. No. 2025-14]
Violations of this chapter shall be enforced by the Zoning Officer or Code Enforcement Officer. Penalties may include fines up to $2,000 and revocation of zoning approval for repeated violations. In the event of a violation of this chapter, the Department of Inspections shall issue notice of violation to the owner by personal service or first-class mail. Such an owner shall have 10 days from the date of written notice to comply with the provisions of this chapter. Thereafter, it shall be referred to the Township Municipal Court for disposition. Upon conviction of a violation of this chapter, the owner shall be subject to a minimum fine of $100, in addition to penalties contained in Chapter 1, Article II, General Penalty, of the Code of the Township of Willingboro. Each day of continuing violation shall constitute a separate violation for each section of this chapter in violation.