Clifton, NJ Property Maintenance: Vacant Lot Maintenance (2026)

Chapter 175, "Brush, Weeds, Uncut Grass and Debris," declares in Section 175-1 that removal is "necessary and expedient for the preservation of the health, safety and general welfare" and, under Section 175-2, places responsibility on "the owner thereof or by the tenant or tenants in possession thereof" for all such growth and debris "from all lands lying within the limits of the City," language that reaches unimproved and vacant lots exactly as it reaches occupied yards. Section 175-4 sets the trigger and process: whenever "brush, weeds, uncut grass and/or obnoxious growths exceed six inches in height," or garbage, trash and debris are not removed, the City Engineer must send 10 days' written notice by registered or certified mail to the owner's and tenant's last known addresses.

The section defines "weeds" as "all grass, annual plants and vegetation other than trees or shrubs," expressly excluding cultivated flowers and gardens, so an owner cannot be cited for maintained landscaping. If the owner or tenant does not comply within that ten-day window, Section 175-5 lets the City Engineer remove the growth directly, certify the cost to the Council, and have that cost added to the property's tax bill as a lien bearing interest at the tax rate. Section 175-3 separately requires construction and demolition sites to keep debris containers and prevent litter accumulation before, during and after the project.