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

Chapter 15 of the Edison Code defines property exterior broadly so that bare vacant lots receive the same maintenance treatment as occupied properties. Owners are responsible for: (1) keeping the lot free of accumulated trash, debris, junk, and discarded furniture or appliances; (2) controlling vegetation so it does not become a fire, sight-distance, or pest hazard - in practice, Edison Code Enforcement issues notices when grass and weeds exceed roughly 10 inches in residential zones (consistent with the New Jersey Property Maintenance Code adopted by reference); (3) eliminating standing water that could breed mosquitoes; and (4) maintaining any fence, retaining wall, or other improvement on the lot. Where a lot is vacant because the structure was demolished, the owner must also maintain a smooth, graded surface free of foundation remnants and trip hazards. Lots adjacent to public sidewalks are additionally subject to the snow-clearance and sidewalk-repair obligations under Chapter 19 Streets and Sidewalks. Persistent violations can be abated by the township at the owner's expense under Chapter 15, with the cost assessed as a tax lien. If the lot is also formally vacant for registration purposes, the registration ordinance fees stack on top of these maintenance obligations.