Lakewood, NJ Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)
Key Facts
- Petition threshold
- 5 residents or Township motion
- Hearing scheduled
- 7-10 days after complaint
- Enforcement outcome
- Repair, vacate or demolish order
- Cost recovery
- Municipal lien on property
- Appeal window
- 60 days for injunctive relief
Summary
Lakewood Township can order the repair, vacating or demolition of any building declared dangerous, unsafe or a nuisance, following a Township Committee hearing, and can place a municipal lien on the property for the cost if the owner does not comply.
Buildings, walls or structures which are or may become dangerous to property, life or health, or constitute a nuisance, or which are so old, dilapidated or have become so out of repair as to be dangerous, unsafe, unsanitary or otherwise unfit for human habitation, occupancy or use are hereby declared to be inimical to the welfare and dangerous or injurious to the health and safety of the people of the Township. Whenever a finding is made pursuant to the following procedures that any building is unfit for human habitation, occupancy or use, as defined above, power is hereby conferred upon the office or officers hereinafter designated to exercise the police powers of the Township to order repairs, closure, demolition of such building, or parts thereof, in the manner herein provided.
Full Breakdown
1 declares that buildings, walls or structures which are or may become dangerous to property, life or health, which constitute a nuisance, or which are so old, dilapidated or out of repair as to be dangerous, unsafe, unsanitary or otherwise unfit for human habitation, occupancy or use, are inimical to the welfare and dangerous to the health and safety of Township residents. Once a finding of unfitness is made following the procedures in this section, the Township is empowered to order repairs, closure, or demolition of the building or its parts.
4, that process starts when a petition is filed with the Township Committee, or by at least five residents, or on the Committee's own motion; a preliminary investigation must disclose a basis for the charges before the Committee serves a complaint and schedules a hearing seven to ten days out. 5 authorizes an order requiring repair, alteration or improvement within a reasonable time, or letting the owner instead vacate and close the building; if the building remains dangerous and the owner does not comply, the Committee can order removal or demolition, and may itself contract for the work after advertisement and bids if the owner defaults.
The filing costs, expert witness fees, and repair, closure or demolition costs, less any proceeds from selling salvaged materials, become a municipal lien on the property. 7 separately allows an aggrieved person to seek injunctive relief within 60 days of an abatement order.
Violations & Fines
Failure to comply with a Township Committee order to repair, vacate or demolish a dangerous building under § 13-2.5 lets the Committee complete the work itself and lien the property for the full cost, and general noncompliance with Township ordinances also falls under the general penalty in § 1-5.1, up to a $1,000 fine, 90 days of detention, or 90 days of community service.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Lakewood Township declare a building dangerous or a nuisance?
Who can start a dangerous-building complaint in Lakewood?
What can the Township order if a building is found unfit?
Can a Lakewood property owner appeal a demolition order?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lakewood
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Property Blight in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle property blight.