Monroe Township (Middlesex County), NJ Landscaping Rules: Water Restrictions (2026)

Chapter 127 of the Monroe Township Code (Middlesex County) is an emergency measure, adopted by the Township Council in 1984 as Ord. No. 4-84. Section 127-1 explains why it exists: protracted periods of high temperatures and limited rainfall can overload the Monroe Township Municipal Utilities Authority system, and the excessive use of water in the spring, summer and fall for sprinkling of lawns, filling of swimming pools and car washing can seriously reduce pressure for sanitary, domestic and fire-fighting purposes.

The power to act sits with the Authority, not the Township Council. Under § 127-2 the Authority declares a water emergency by resolution when the available supply becomes dangerously low. Under § 127-3 the declaration must say whether it requires full curtailment or partial curtailment of nonessential water usage, and the Authority can amend the terms as conditions change. Only a partial curtailment names days of the week and hours of the day, and those terms are set in the declaration itself, so the watering schedule for any given emergency is whatever that resolution prints.

Section 127-4 requires the declaration to be published in the official Township newspapers and posted in the municipal building, police headquarters and the Authority offices. Under § 127-5 it binds all users once it is filed with the Township Clerk and published. Under § 127-6 it stays in force until the Authority adopts a resolution of termination.

Enforcement runs through inspection. Section 127-7 makes every premises receiving Authority water subject to inspection between sunrise and sunset by Authority employees or other people the Township or Authority appoints, and it is a violation to hinder, obstruct, delay, resist or prevent an inspection. Section 127-8 makes any use of Authority water that a declaration prohibits a violation. Section 127-9 treats continuing prohibited use as a health hazard, with written notice delivered to the owner, occupant or operator or posted on the premises, and a one-hour window to stop before the Township or Authority can enter and abate.