Ridgewood's Property Maintenance: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles property maintenance a little differently. In Ridgewood, New Jersey, there are 5 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Snow & Sidewalk Clearing

Ridgewood requires residential property owners to clear sidewalks within 24 hours of snowfall, with stricter same-day rules in business and parking zones under Chapter 249.

Key details: Residential Deadline: Within 24 hours. Business Districts: Concurrent with snowfall. After 6 p.m. Snow: Clear by 9:00 a.m.. Cost Recovery: Certified lien.

Failing to clear snow and ice within the deadlines, or piling snow in the roadway, lets the Village remove it and certify the cost to the property owner, plus issue summonses.

Compared to other cities, Ridgewood takes a harder line on snow & sidewalk clearing. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Vacant Lot Maintenance

Ridgewood requires owners of vacant lots and structures to maintain them clean, safe, secure, and sanitary, preventing blight conditions under Chapter 223 Article XI.

Key details: Standard: Clean, safe, secure, sanitary. Weed Limit: 10 inches. Cost Recovery: Lien against property. Repeat Fine: Up to $350.

Failure to secure a vacant building, allowing weed overgrowth, or accumulating debris on a vacant lot triggers fines of $125, $250, and $350 for successive offenses, plus Village removal cost recovery.

Garage Sale Rules

Ridgewood requires a Village Clerk permit for any residential garage sale, limits sales to two consecutive days twice per year, and restricts on-site signage to two signs.

Key details: Permit Issuer: Village Clerk. Annual Limit: Two sales per year. Max Duration: Two consecutive days. Sign Limit: Two on-site, four sq ft.

Holding a garage sale without a permit, exceeding the two-sale-per-year limit, posting signs on public property, or running more than two days subjects the host to municipal court enforcement.

Trash Bin Storage

Ridgewood requires a permit to use refuse containers, sets curbside placement windows, and mandates covered watertight bins under Chapters 133 and 223 of the Village Code.

Key details: Earliest Set-Out: 5:00 p.m. day before. Latest Set-Out: 6:00 a.m. day-of. Removal Deadline: 11:59 p.m. collection day. Dumpster Permit: Required from Village.

Setting out trash early, leaving containers at the curb after collection, using uncovered or leaking dumpsters, or using a dumpster without a permit are enforceable violations.

Property Blight

Ridgewood Chapter 223 prohibits blighting conditions on properties, requiring weed control, secure vacant structures, and clean, sanitary premises with escalating fines for repeat offenses.

Key details: Max Weed Height: 10 inches. Noxious Weeds: Always prohibited. First Offense Fine: $125. Third Offense Fine: $350.

Allowing weeds over 10 inches, growing noxious weeds, or letting structures or lots fall into blight are violations subject to escalating fines: $125, $250, and $350 for first, second, and third or subsequent offenses.

The Bottom Line

Ridgewood's property maintenance rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Ridgewood is broadly strict or permissive.

This guide is based on Ridgewood's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.