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Ordinances

VERNON TOWNSHIP ORDINANCE #03-28

AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE

Whereas, the Vernon Township Council recognizes the importance of insuring the public health, safety, and welfare insofar as they are affected by the continued occupancy and maintenance of structures and premises; and

Whereas, the Vernon Township Council is desirous of adopting a Property Maintenance Code which will not create an unnecessary burden or hardship to its residents; and

Whereas, the Vernon Township Property Maintenance Code shall establish minimum requirements and standards for premises, structures, sanitation, life safety, protection from the elements, and safety from fire and other hazards; and

Whereas, the Property Maintenance Code shall be administered by the Construction Official and shall be enforceable by the Construction Official, Zoning Official, or other designated enforcement official of the Township, and shall read as set forth hereafter.

Now, Therefore, Be It Ordained by the Township Council of the Township of Vernon, County of Sussex and State of New Jersey that the Vernon Township Property Maintenance Code be and is hereby established and shall read as follow:

VERNON PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE

SECTION PM-303.0 EXTERIOR PROPERTY AREAS

PM-303.1 Sanitation: All exterior property and premises shall be maintained in a clean, safe and sanitary condition. The occupant, owner or either shall keep that part of the exterior property which such occupant occupies or controls in a clean and sanitary condition.

PM-303.2 Grading and drainage: All premises shall be graded and maintained to prevent the accumulation of stagnant water thereon, or within any structure located thereon. Retention ponds and other similar facilities as required by the Township shall be excluded from this provision.

PM-303.7 Accessory structures: All accessory structures, including detached garages, fences and walls, shall be maintained structurally sound and in good repair.

SECTION PM-304.0 EXTERIOR STRUCTURE

PM-304.1 General: The exterior of a structure shall be maintained in good repair, structurally sound and sanitary so as not to pose a threat to the public health, safety or welfare. PM-304.3 Structural members: All structural members shall be maintained free from deterioration, and shall be capable of safely supporting the imposed dead and live loads.

PM-304.5 Exterior walls: All exterior walls shall be free from holes, breaks, loose or rotting materials; and maintained weatherproof and properly surface coated where required to prevent deterioration.

PM-304.6 Roofs and drainage: The roof and flashing shall be sound, tight and not have defects that admit rain. Roof drainage shall be adequate to prevent dampness or deterioration in the walls or interior portion of the structure. Roof water shall not be discharged in a manner that creates a public nuisance.

SECTION PM-306.0 RUBBISH AND GARBAGE

PM-306.1 Accumulation of rubbish or garbage: All exterior property and premises, and the interior of every structure shall be free from any accumulation of rubbish or garbage.

SECTION PM-508.0 STORM DRAINAGE

PM-508.1 General: Drainage of roofs and paved areas, yards and courts, and other open areas on the premises shall not be discharged in a manner that creates a public nuisance.

BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED as follows:

1. Enforcement of the provisions of the Property Maintenance Code shall be by the Construction Official, Zoning Official, or other designated enforcement official of the Township.

2. Any person who shall violate any of the provisions of the Property Maintenance Code, or fail to comply therewith, shall be subject to a fine of not more than $100.00. Each and every day such violation continues shall be deemed a separate and distinct violation.

3. All ordinances or parts of ordinances or resolutions that are in conflict with the provisions of this Ordinance are repealed to the extent necessary.

4. If any article, section, subsection, term or condition of this Ordinance is declared invalid or illegal for any reason, the balance of the Ordinance shall be deemed severable and shall remain in full force and effect.

5. This Ordinance shall take effect after publication and passage according to law.

NOTICE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the above ordinance was introduced and passed on first reading at the Regular Meeting of the Township Council of the Township of Vernon in the County of Sussex, State of New Jersey held in the Municipal Building on July 14, 2003 and the same came up for final passage at the Regular Meeting of the Township Council held on July 28, 2003, at which time, after persons interested were given an opportunity to be heard concerning said ordinance, the same was passed and will be in full force in the Township according to law.

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John P. Logan, Mayor

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Patricia A. Lycosky, R. M. C.
Township Clerk