Atlantic County, NJ Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing code
- 1953 NJ Public Health Nuisance Code, § 92-1
- Ragweed rule
- Any growth on any lot is a nuisance
- Poison ivy buffer
- Prohibited within 20 feet of property line
- Abatement notice
- At least 5 days to remove nuisance
- Penalty
- $100 to $500 per offense
- Enforcer
- Board of Health / County Enforcing Official
Summary
Atlantic County's Public Health Nuisance Code, adopted from the 1953 New Jersey model code, declares the growth of ragweed on any lot, highway, right-of-way or public or private place a nuisance, regardless of height. Poison ivy within 20 feet of a property line is also a declared nuisance. The Board of Health or its Enforcing Official issues a written abatement notice, and violators face a $100 to $500 fine per offense.
The following matters, things, conditions or acts and each of them are hereby declared to be a nuisance and injurious to the health of the inhabitants of this municipality:
(a) Any matter, thing, condition or act which is or may become detrimental or a menace to the health of the inhabitants of this municipality.
(b) Any matter, thing, condition or act which is or may become an annoyance, or interfere with the comfort or general well-being of the inhabitants of this municipality.
(c) Pollution, or existence of a condition or conditions which cause or threaten pollution, of any waters in this municipality in such manner as to cause or threaten injury to any of the inhabitants of this municipality either in their health, comfort or property.
(d) The escape into the open air from any stack, vent, chimney or any entrance to the open air, or from any fire into the open air of such quantities of smoke, flyash, dust, fumes, vapors, mists, or gases as to cause injury, detriment, or annoyance to the inhabitants of this municipality or endanger their comfort, repose, health or safety.
(e) The growth, existence or presence of ragweed on any plot of land, lot, highway, right-of-way or any other public or private place.
(f) The growth, existence or presence of poison ivy within 20 feet of any property line.
(g) The existence or presence of any water or other liquid in which mosquito larvae breed or exist.
(h)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4863463; v25 updated 2026-04-21; through 04-21-2026).
Full Breakdown
A. 40:41A-101b(6) at § 92-3. 1(f) poison ivy within 20 feet of a property line. No numeric grass or weed height is set anywhere in the chapter; the growth of ragweed itself, at any height, is the violation. Section VIII requires the Board of Health or Enforcing Official to give the property owner written notice to abate within a period of not less than five days from service, with a duplicate notice left with a tenant or occupant. If an out-of-state owner cannot be notified promptly, posting the notice on the premises counts as service.
Under Section IX, if the owner fails to abate, the Board of Health may remove the nuisance itself and sue to recover its costs from the owner, tenant or occupant. 1 as the Health Officer or other official the Board authorizes. Section XI, added July 3, 2001 by Ordinance No. 14-2001, sets the penalty for any violation, upon conviction before a judge with jurisdiction, at not less than $100 nor more than $500 per offense.
Violations & Fines
Ignoring an abatement notice lets the Board of Health enter and clear the ragweed itself, then bill the owner, tenant or occupant for the cost under Section IX of § 92-4. Separately, a judge can impose a fine of $100 to $500 per offense under Section XI. Non-owner occupants who received the duplicate notice share responsibility for compliance, and out-of-state owners are still bound once notice is posted on the property.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Atlantic County set a maximum grass or weed height?
What happens if I get a notice to clear ragweed?
Can I be fined for a ragweed nuisance in Atlantic County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Atlantic County
How Atlantic County compares: Cities with the Strictest Weed and Property Maintenance Rules·Compare Atlantic County to another location·View the New Jersey landscaping rules overview
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