Exterior Property Maintenance Ordinance Considered

The Township Committee will be holding a public hearing on an ordinance to ensure proper exteriopr property maintenance within the township at their Wednesday, July 11 meeting at 8 p.m.

The ordinance reads as follows:

AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MANSFIELD AMENDING THE TOWNSHIP CODE TO ENSURE PROPER EXTERIOR PROPERTY MAINTENANCE WITHIN THE TOWNSHIP.

WHEREAS, the Township Committee of the Township of Mansfield has become aware of increasing incidences of poor exterior property maintenance practices in the Township and of complaints regarding same from nearby property owners; and

WHEREAS, the Township Committee of the Township of Mansfield has determined that said deficiencies in exterior property maintenance negatively impact the community and permitting said deficiencies to continue unabated would be unacceptable; and

WHEREAS, the Township Committee of the Township of Mansfield has further determined that the adoption of a municipal ordinance to address said deficiencies is critical for the betterment of the community and for the protection of the public health, safety and welfare.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Township Committee of the Township of Mansfield, County of Warren, State of New Jersey, as follows:

Section I.

The Code of the Township of Mansfield is hereby amended to include the following additional provisions intended to address and correct exterior property maintenance deficiencies within the Township:

§1. Exterior Property Maintenance Requirements.

The following requirements shall apply to all property owners or tenants residing in or utilizing property located in any residential, commercial, industrial, redevelopment or other designated zone located within the Township of Mansfield and shall supplement all existing municipal, county, state and federal laws or regulations regarding same:

A. All areas of the exterior property and premises, including but not limited to open porches, open structures, decks and driveways, shall be free from any accumulation of rubbish, garbage, non-functioning vehicles or other nonfunctioning or unused equipment.

B. All areas of the exterior property and premises, including but not limited to open porches, open structures, decks and driveways, shall be free from any accumulations of furniture, toys, bicycles, tires, construction supplies and equipment, landscaping supplies or other similar items, except as permitted by the limited exception set forth in §1 C herein.

C. Construction and landscaping materials and equipment may be stored on exterior areas of the property and premises, including open porches, open structures, decks and driveways, but only if said materials and equipment are neatly secured or covered and so long as said materials and equipment are removed within ninety (90) days of the last date work was performed on the property and premises with that specific type of material or piece of equipment.

§2. Violations and Penalties.

Any property owner or tenant who shall violate any of the provisions of this ordinance shall, upon conviction, be punished as provided for in this Code (General Penalty Provisions). Each day that any violation of this ordinance shall continue without abatement may be considered as a separate violation.

Section II.

All Ordinances or parts of Ordinances inconsistent with this Ordinance are hereby repealed to the extent of such inconsistencies.

Section III.

If any section, subsection, paragraph, phrase or sentence of these amendments to the Township Code is, for any reason, declared to be unconstitutional or invalid, such section, subsection, paragraph, phrase or sentence shall be deemed severable.

Section IV.

This Ordinance shall take effect immediately upon final publication as provided by law.