Piscataway, NJ Landscaping Rules: Artificial Turf (2026)

Chapter PM-113 applies specifically to real property that is vacant, under a notice of default, in foreclosure, or transferred by deed-in-lieu, as defined in §§ PM-113.1 and PM-113.2, not to occupied residential properties generally. Once a mortgagee or bank discovers evidence of vacancy, it must register the property with the Township's CO/CCO Supervisor within 10 days under § PM-113.5.A, designating a local property manager based in Middlesex County who is available weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. under § PM-113.6.D. The maintenance duties in § PM-113.6 cover keeping the property free of weeds, debris, and discarded items (subsection A), removing graffiti and maintaining landscaping including the artificial turf allowance (subsection B), watering and mowing (subsection C), and keeping pools and spas clear of pollutants (subsection D).

The property must also be posted with an 18-inch by 24-inch sign listing the local property manager's 24-hour contact number under § PM-113.7.D, and the registration carries an annual fee of $500 per property, plus an additional $2,000 fee if the property is vacant or abandoned at the time of registration, under § PM-113.5.E. No separate provision in the Township's zoning chapter or general Property Maintenance Code sections addresses synthetic turf outside this abandoned-property context, so § PM-113.6.B is the Township's only textual answer on whether artificial turf counts as acceptable landscaping.