[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Council of the Township of Brick 6-28-1988 by Ord. No. 636-88 (Ch. 134 of the 1989 Code). Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Beaches and waterfront areas — See Ch. 110.
Flood hazard areas — See Ch. 196.
Land use — See Ch. 245.
Operation of vehicles — See Ch. 460.
A. 
Effective protection of the oceanfront and adjacent coastal areas in the intermediate term against high tides and flooding and against damage by the ocean under storm conditions requires sufficient elevation and breadth in the beach and dune areas, hereinafter defined, to dissipate the force of the waves. The dunes should provide an uninterrupted barrier and a source of sand to mitigate the effect of storm waves for the benefit of the entire Township, interior lands as well as oceanfront premises and a beach for the recreational purposes of all. Accordingly, the Township has a vital interest in the continued maintenance and protection of the beach and dune areas and in the right to cause their restoration in the event of damage or destruction.
B. 
Dune areas are vulnerable to erosion by wind, water, the absence of good husbandry by those responsible for their maintenance and preservation and by indiscriminate trespass, construction or other acts which might destroy or damage them.
C. 
A proven and available means of protecting dune areas against erosion is by preventing indiscriminate trespassing, construction or other acts which might destroy or damage them and, through the aggressive use of native plantings supplemented, when necessary, by sand fencing and other protective devices, or combinations thereof, designed to prevent the erosion of dune areas and to promote the root accumulations, normal contours and other features found in natural dune systems.
D. 
The beach area and dune area are dynamic and are not capable of rigid definition or delineation or of completely firm stabilization. They can and do migrate, so that particular sites, at one time free of dunes, may, as the result of natural forces, become a part of the dune area declared to be in the interest of the Township to protect persons owning, using or purchasing such property and to do so subject to the public interest therein.
E. 
It is a purpose of this chapter to define the areas so affected and to establish regulations to assure their continued effectiveness.
F. 
This chapter does not attempt to define and regulate all parameters of dune delineation, function or management, and the Township Council declares its intent to review and update this chapter periodically to reflect appropriately new and beneficial knowledge of treating such things as, but not limited to, upper driftline, elevated walkways and building setback requirements.
G. 
This chapter is declared to be an exercise of the police power in the interest of safety and welfare for the protection of persons and property.
For the purposes of this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings given herein:
BEACH AREA
That area between the mean high waterline of the Atlantic Ocean, as established by the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey and the seaward edge of the dune as hereinafter defined.
BEACHES
A. 
Gently sloping unvegetated areas of sand or other unconsolidated materials that extend landward from the mean high water line to either:
(1) 
The vegetation line;
(2) 
A man-made feature generally parallel to the ocean, inlet or bay waters such as a retaining structure, seawall, bulkhead, road or boardwalk, except that the sandy areas that extend fully under the landward of an elevated boardwalk are considered to be beach areas; or
(3) 
The seaward or bayward foot of dunes, whichever is closest to the bay, inlet or ocean waters.
B. 
Beaches can be found on all tidal shorelines, including ocean, bay and river shorelines.
DUNE
A wind or wave deposited or man-made formation of vegetated or drifting windblown sand, that lies generally parallel to and landward of the beach and between the upland limit of the beach and the foot of the most inland dune slope. "Dune" includes the foredune, secondary and tertiary dune ridges, as well as man-made dunes, where they exist. Formations of sand immediately adjacent to beaches that are stabilized by retaining structures and/or snow fences, planted vegetation and other measures are considered to be dunes regardless of the degree of modification of the dune by wind or wave action or disturbance by development. A small mound of loose, windblown sand found in a street or on a part of a structure as a result of storm activity is not considered to be a dune.
DUNE AREA
That area between the seaward edge of the dune and the landward edge of the dune.
DUNE REFERENCE LINE
That line designated as such on the revised Tax Map of the Township of Brick.
LANDWARD EDGE OF THE DUNE
The intersecting line of the back slope of the dune and the grade of the land extending from the east boundary of New Jersey Route 35 eastwardly or the line adjoining the average landward edge of the dune of the adjoining oceanfront properties or a line parallel to and 60 feet west of the seaward edge of the dune, whichever is the most westerly.
NATURAL VEGETATION
Includes the terms "native vegetation" or "indigenous vegetation." Specifically, it shall include such plants as beach grass (Ammophila breviligulata), dusty miller (Artemisia stelleriana), sea rocket (Cakile edentula), seaside goldenrod (Solidago sempervirens), bayberry (Myrica pensylvanica), beach pea (Lathyrus japonicus), salt spray rose (Rosa rugosa) or seaside spurge (Euphorbia polygonifolia), which normally grow or may be planted on the slopes of dunes or behind them, no distinction being made as to how such plants are introduced into their location.
SAND FENCE
Includes the term "snow fence" of a barricade-type established in a line or a pattern to accumulate sand and aid in the formation of a dune, such as:
A. 
Picket-type consisting of a light wooden fence held together by wire and secured by posts; or
B. 
Such other material as may be designed and approved for the purpose.
SEAWARD EDGE OF THE DUNE
The intersecting line of the foreslope of the dune and the gradient of the beach area or the contour line at an elevation of 12 feet above mean high water or the vegetation line or the upper drift line, whichever is the most easterly, except when the Township Engineer may have caused stakes to be driven to mark the seaward edge of the dune, in which case it is the line between such stakes.
SETBACK LINE
That line parallel to the dune reference line and located westwardly therefrom by the setback distances variously specified by the Township.
UPPER DRIFT LINE
That line produced by the winter spring tides (highest tides of the year) which contains oceanic debris (flotsam such as seaweed, etc.) and the seeds, rhizomes or detached plants which can germinate and/or grow to produce a zone of new dune vegetation.
VEGETATION LINE
That line connecting the most seaward naturally occurring perennial plants with other such plants.
WALKWAY
A constructed means of crossing the dune area in accordance with drawings approved by the Township Council and on file with the Township Engineer.
A. 
Development is prohibited on beaches, except for development that has no prudent or feasible alternative in an area other than a beach and that will not cause significant adverse long-term impacts on the natural functioning of the beach and dune system, either individually or in combination with other existing or proposed structures, land disturbances or activities. Examples of acceptable activities are:
(1) 
Demolition and removal of paving and structures.
(2) 
Dune creation and related sand fencing and planting of vegetation for dune stabilization.
(3) 
The reconstruction of existing amusement and fishing piers and boardwalks.
(4) 
Temporary recreation structures for public safety such as first aid and lifeguard stations.
B. 
Development is prohibited on dunes, except for development that has no prudent or feasible alternative in an area other than a dune and that will not cause significant adverse long-term impacts on the natural functioning of the beach and dune system, either individually or in combination with other existing or proposed structures, land disturbances or activities. Examples of acceptable activities are:
(1) 
Demolition and removal of paving and structures.
(2) 
Limited, designated accessways for pedestrians and authorized motor vehicles between public streets and the beach that provide for the minimum feasible interference with the beach and dune system and are oriented so as to provide the minimum feasible threat of breaching or overtopping as a result of storm surge or wave run-up.
(3) 
Limited stairs, walkways, pathways and boardwalks to permit access across dunes to beaches, provided that they cause minimum feasible interference with the beach and dune system.
(4) 
The planting of native vegetation to stabilize dunes.
(5) 
Sand fencing to accumulate sand and aid in dune formation.
C. 
The municipality shall not undertake any mechanical manipulation, including but not limited to bulldozing, grading and scraping, of the beach and dune area unless written authorization is received from the Division of Coastal Resources.
D. 
The municipality shall be responsible for the continuation of its current public access practices pertaining to beach access.
A. 
Construction east of the setback line is prohibited, except as specified herein.
B. 
Construction in the dune area west of the setback line is prohibited, except as specifically allowed herein or by the Chapter 245, Land Use, of the Township Code and in accordance with Chapter 196, Flood Hazard Areas. Any allowed structure shall be built upon suitable piling and shall be and remain open and unenclosed between the piling at least from grade to the bottom of the first floor joists, as to dwellings; other allowed structures shall be designed, constructed and maintained so as to facilitate the natural migration of sand on or across the premises.
C. 
No person shall be in the dune area unless:
(1) 
Upon an approved pathway, walkway or dune platform;
(2) 
In the performance of such activities as may be reasonably and necessarily required to construct or maintain the dune or allowed structures with the permission of the owner; or
(3) 
For purposes of enforcement of this chapter.
D. 
Only one pathway or walkway across the dune area is permitted for each residence. It shall run, generally, the shortest practical course between the residence and the seaward edge of the dune and shall not exceed three feet in width. At street ends, wider pathways may be delineated by the Township Engineer. In the event that any pathway or walkway shall be or become, in the opinion of the Township, a substantial detriment to the development and maintenance of the continuous protective dune sought to be achieved by this chapter, the owner of the premises shall be subject to the provisions of § 162-5 of this chapter.
E. 
The removal, cutting, burning or destruction of natural vegetation, sand fence or such other types of dune protection devices which may be approved by the Township Council in the dune area is prohibited, except as necessary for construction authorized pursuant to Subsections A, B and C.
F. 
The removal of sand from the beach or dune area is prohibited.
G. 
Sand which is transported upon lands by action of wind, tides, storms or any combination thereof shall not be removed from the lot upon which it is deposited by such action. To the extent practicable, considering the utilization of the premises, such sand as may be affirmatively relocated by the owner upon the lot shall be moved eastwardly. Sand deposited upon any improved street ends shall be restored into the beach and dune area.
H. 
One of the purposes of this chapter is to achieve the maintenance of the sand dunes at the highest practical height. To this end, no dune shall be directly or indirectly lowered or reduced in height by the action or inaction of any owner or his agent. However, if any dune shall be or become lower than the elevation deemed materially significant by the Township, applying recognized criteria, with due regard to the intent of this chapter and reasonable use of the premises, the owner thereof shall be obliged to install such sand fence and plantings as may be prescribed by the Township. The owner shall have an obligation to maintain and replace, if necessary, these fences and plantings but shall not be obligated to take other affirmative action, except as may be specified elsewhere in this chapter. If the dune is lowered or caused to be lowered by the direct or indirect action of any owner, then the dune shall, upon due notice to the owner, be restored to its immediately preexisting elevation by the owner or at his expense. The restored dune shall be planted and sand fenced in accordance with specifications promulgated under this chapter.
I. 
In order to provide for effective protection and/or restoration of the dune area, each owner shall plant or cause to be planted in the dune area adjoining his property suitable vegetation and erect or cause to be erected suitable sand fencing all in accordance with such standards as may be recommended by the Township and adopted by resolution of the Township Council.
A. 
The Chief of Police and in all events the Township Council shall enforce the affirmative duty of each oceanfront owner, as set forth in this chapter, by service of a written notice, certified mail, return receipt required, upon the record owner at his last known address as set forth in the Township tax rolls, requesting specific compliance with these obligations concerning dune protection and/or restoration. The notice shall also advise that unless the owner shall take appropriate corrective action and complete the same within 30 days from the day of mailing said notice, the Township may perform such acts of protection and/or restoration at the expense of the owner. Such expenditures by the Township, if any, shall be due and payable upon demand. In the event that any such owner shall fail to pay, then the sum, together with interest at the highest legal rate thereon, shall become a lien upon the property and be collected in the same manner as delinquent real property taxes.
B. 
In addition to the action described above, the owner may, at the election of the enforcement officials of the Township Council, be prosecuted for violation of this chapter in accordance with § 162-4.
No person shall operate a motor vehicle (as defined in Article I of Chapter 460, Vehicles, Operation of) across or upon any dune area except as may be necessitated for allowed construction or for dune maintenance.
A copy of this chapter shall be furnished to all oceanfront property owners and to each applicant for a building permit for any construction east of said boundaries. Compliance with this section shall not be a jurisdictional prerequisite in any enforcement proceeding.
For any and every violation of this chapter, the owners of land abutting the beach or dune area where such violation has been committed, or the trespasser if the violation is of § 164-4E, or any violator shall for each and every violation be subject to the penalties as provided in Chapter 1, § 1-15, General penalty. Each and every day that such violation continues shall be considered a separate violation of this chapter.