Union County is densely developed with minimal wildfire risk, but the Watchung Reservation (2,143 acres) and portions of the Rahway River Parkway fall under NJ Forest Fire Service Division B jurisdiction. Municipal property maintenance codes require weed and brush abatement. Summit and Mountainside border Watchung Reservation and enforce vegetation buffers. Union County Parks Department manages 6,200+ acres with brush management plans. The Union County Office of Emergency Management coordinates with NJ Forest Fire Service during spring fire season.
Union County has limited true wildland-urban interface but contains substantial county parkland at elevated fire risk. The Watchung Reservation (spanning Mountainside, Summit, Berkeley Heights, and Scotch Plains) is actively managed under the NJ Forest Fire Service Division B Annual Fire Plan, with prescribed burns conducted by the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation. Mountainside Borough Code Chapter 90 requires properties abutting the Reservation to maintain a 30-foot vegetation buffer. Summit Chapter 163 (Property Maintenance) mandates removal of dead vegetation, fallen limbs, and brush piles that could serve as fuel. The NJ Forest Fire Service fire season runs March 15 to May 15 when open burning restrictions tighten statewide under N.J.A.C. 7:27-2. Elizabeth and Linden enforce weed abatement through standard property maintenance codes (Elizabeth Chapter 6.08) targeting vacant lots and industrial parcels along the NJ Turnpike corridor rather than wildfire risk. Union County Bureau of Fire Prevention conducts annual inspections of commercial and multifamily properties, with particular focus on the industrial Bayway Refinery zone in Elizabeth/Linden.
Mountainside buffer violation: $500 to $1,250 per occurrence. Elizabeth weed abatement: municipality clears at owner expense plus $200 to $1,500 lien. Summit property maintenance violation: $100 first offense, up to $2,000 repeat. NJ Forest Fire Service violation in Reservation: up to $5,000 plus suppression cost recovery.
Plainfield, NJ
Plainfield's animal ordinance (Ch. 5) prohibits permitting any dog or animal to annoy or injure any person or animal, or to run at large. Dogs must be on a l...
Plainfield, NJ
Plainfield prohibits construction noise on Sundays entirely and weekdays between 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. within 1,000 feet of any dwelling or business. Emerg...
Plainfield, NJ
Plainfield's noise ordinance (Ch. 5, Offenses Against Public Peace and Order) prohibits unreasonable noise that disturbs the peace. NJDEP statewide limits of...
Plainfield, NJ
Plainfield's zoning code (Ch. 17) regulates vehicle storage in residential zones. Off-street parking lots may not be used as thoroughfares. Contact the Zonin...
Plainfield, NJ
Plainfield requires zoning permits for driveways under Ch. 17. Impervious coverage subject to stormwater management requirements. Stormwater shall not be dis...
Plainfield, NJ
Plainfield regulates parking under Ch. 7 (Vehicles and Traffic). City-owned downtown lots prohibit parking 2:00 a.m.–6:00 a.m. Street parking subject to post...
See how Plainfield's brush clearance rules stack up against other locations.
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