[Added 10-19-2011 by Ord. No. 1041-11]
[Amended 3-25-2026 by Ord. No. 1263-26]
A. 
An article requiring dumpsters and other refuse containers that are outdoors or exposed to stormwater to be covered at all times and prohibits the spilling dumping, leaking, or otherwise discharge of liquids, semi-liquids or solids from the containers to the municipal separate storm sewer system(s) operated by the Township of Rochelle Park and/or the State of New Jersey or the County of Bergen.
B. 
The Township Committee finds that reasonable standards governing the placement, screening, and enclosure of dumpsters serve the public health, safety, and general welfare, including by promoting an appropriate visual environment and discouraging conditions that may contribute to congestion or blight.
C. 
The Township Committee further finds that land-use regulations must be exercised for the general welfare.
D. 
Statutory and constitutional authority. This article is adopted pursuant to the authority of the Legislature to enact general laws under which municipalities may adopt zoning ordinances regulating buildings, structures, and the nature and extent of the uses of land, as an exercise of the police power of the state.
E. 
This article is further adopted pursuant to the Township's authority to make, amend, repeal, and enforce ordinances to license and regulate businesses and the places and premises in which business is conducted.
[Amended 3-25-2026 by Ord. No. 1263-26]
For the purpose of this article, the following terms, phrases, words, and their derivations shall have the meanings stated herein unless their use in the text of this chapter clearly demonstrates a different meaning. When not inconsistent with the context, words used in the present tense include the future, words used in the plural number include the singular number, and words used in the singular number include the plural number. The word "shall" is always mandatory and not merely directory.
COMMERCIAL PROPERTY
Means any non-residential property used for commercial, retail, office, industrial, institutional, or other business purposes.
DUMPSTER
Means any roll-off container, front-load container, rear-load container, compactor container, or similar refuse container used for the storage, collection, or removal of solid waste, construction debris, or similar materials.
MUNICIPAL SEPARATE STORM SEWER SYSTEM (MS4)
A conveyance or system of conveyances (including roads with drainage systems, municipal streets, catch basins, curbs, gutters, ditches, man-made channels, or storm drains) that is owned or operated by the Township of Rochelle Park or other public body, and is designed and used for collecting and conveying stormwater. In municipalities with MS4s do not include combined sewer systems, which are sewer systems that are designed to carry sanitary sewage at all times and to collect and transport stormwater from streets and other sources.
PERMIT
Means a written authorization issued by the Township (or its designated official/department) allowing placement of a dumpster on a public street subject to conditions.
PERSON
Any individual, corporation, company, partnership, firm, association, or political subdivision of this state subject to municipal jurisdiction.
PUBLIC STREET
Means any public roadway, street, avenue, lane, right-of-way, or other public way under the jurisdiction of the Township.
REFUSE CONTAINER
Any waste container that a person controls whether owned, leased, or operated, including dumpsters, trash cans, garbage pails, and plastic trash bags.
SCREENED or ENCLOSED
Means fully screened from view or fully enclosed by a structure, fence, wall, or combination thereof, designed and maintained so that the dumpster is not visible from the street.
STORMWATER
Water resulting from precipitation (including rain and snow) that runs off the land's surface, is transmitted to the subsurface, is captured by separate storm sewers or other sewerage or drainage facilities, or is conveyed by snow removal equipment.
WATERS OF THE STATE
The ocean and its estuaries, all springs, streams and bodies of surface water or groundwater, whether natural or artificial, within the boundaries of the State of New Jersey or subject to its jurisdiction.
A. 
Any person who controls, whether owned, leased, or operated, a refuse container or dumpster must ensure that such container or dumpster is covered at all times and shall prevent refuse from spilling out or overflowing.
B. 
Any person who owns, leases or otherwise uses a refuse container or dumpster must ensure that such container or dumpster does not leak or otherwise discharge liquids, semiliquids or solids to the municipal separate storm sewer system(s) operated by the Township of Rochelle Park.
Exceptions to prohibition:
A. 
Permitted temporary demolition containers.
B. 
Litter receptacles (other than dumpsters or other bulk containers).
C. 
Individual homeowner trash and recycling containers.
D. 
Refuse containers at facilities authorized to discharge stormwater under a valid NJPDES permit.
E. 
Large bulky items (e.g., furniture, bound carpet and padding, white goods placed curbside of pickup).
[Amended 3-25-2026 by Ord. No. 1263-26]
A. 
This article shall be enforced by the Township's designated code enforcement official(s), police department, or other authorized personnel.
B. 
Violations may be addressed by written notice, summons, and any other remedies authorized by the Township Code and applicable law.
C. 
Each day a violation continues shall constitute a separate offense.
Any person(s) who is found to be in violation of the provisions of this article shall be subject to a fine not to exceed the penalty set forth in the general penalty section of the Township Code.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 1, Art. II, General Penalty.
[Added 3-25-2026 by Ord. No. 1263-26]
A. 
All commercial properties utilizing dumpsters shall screen or enclose each dumpster so that it is not visible from the street.
B. 
Screening and enclosure shall be maintained in good condition and shall be kept in a manner that continues to prevent visibility of the dumpster from the street.
C. 
No dumpster serving a commercial property shall be placed, stored, or maintained in a location visible from the street unless and until it is screened or enclosed in compliance with this article.
[Added 3-25-2026 by Ord. No. 1263-26]
A. 
Any resident utilizing a dumpster for construction, renovations, or cleanouts shall keep the dumpster on private property to the maximum extent practicable.
B. 
If a resident seeks to place a dumpster on a public street, the resident shall first apply for and obtain a permit from the Township.
C. 
A dumpster placed on a public street pursuant to a permit may remain on the public street for a maximum of 48 hours.
D. 
A dumpster placed on a public street pursuant to a permit may remain on the public street for a maximum of 48 hours.
E. 
Placement of a dumpster on a public street without a permit, or for longer than 48 hours, is prohibited.
[Added 3-25-2026 by Ord. No. 1263-26]
A. 
The Township (or its designated official/department) is authorized to establish a permit application form and reasonable administrative procedures consistent with this article.
B. 
Any permit issued under this article may include reasonable conditions concerning placement location, hours of delivery and removal, protection of pavement/curbs/sidewalks, maintenance of safe passage, and any other conditions necessary to protect public safety and property.
C. 
The Township may revoke a permit for noncompliance with this article or with any permit condition, and may require immediate removal of the dumpster from the public street upon revocation.
[Added 3-25-2026 by Ord. No. 1263-26]
To the extent this amendment is deemed a development regulation, revision, or amendment, the proposed amendment shall be referred to the Planning Board for report to the governing body consistent with the procedures applicable to such referrals, and the governing body shall review any timely report and record in its minutes the reasons for not following any recommendation it does not adopt.