Passaic, NJ Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)

Section 219-15 of the Property Maintenance chapter requires the exterior of every premises and structure in Passaic to be kept free of nuisances, hazards and insanitary conditions, and lists 'brush, weeds, broken glass, stumps, roots, obnoxious growths, filth, garbage, trash, refuse and debris' as Subsection A's specific example (§ 219-15A). That duty runs to both the owner and the operator of the property; neither can point to the other's shared responsibility as a defense against a violation (§§ 219-12, 219-13). The Code gives this particular violation an unusual break: for a citation under Subsection A for failing to keep the premises free of brush, weeds or obnoxious growths, no court appearance is necessary if the person corrects the condition immediately upon receiving the summons and pays the fine before the first scheduled court date (§ 219-15A, as amended 9-24-2012 by Ord.

No. 1915-12). The same section separately requires dead or storm-damaged trees and limbs to be pruned or removed, and covers ground-surface hazards, foundation walls and stormwater drainage as part of the same minimum exterior standard. Property maintenance enforcement in Passaic runs through the Division of Housing, which issues written notices of violation under § 219-151 and can pursue eviction of an occupant who is causing the violation under § 219-159.