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

Hamilton Code § 362-1A requires any owner, tenant or person in possession of land in the Township to keep it free of brush, weeds, dead and dying trees, stumps, roots, obnoxious growths, invasive plants, filth, garbage, trash and debris wherever those conditions are inimical to public health, safety or welfare or could create a fire hazard. Where a lot abuts a public street, sidewalk or right-of-way, the owner or tenant must also clear grass, weeds, brush, invasive plants and debris from the bordering portion of that street, sidewalk or right-of-way.

Under § 362-2, whenever the enforcement officer deems it necessary for public health, safety or welfare, or to eliminate a fire hazard, or after investigating a resident complaint, the officer may order the owner, tenant or possessor to remove the offending brush, weeds, dead trees, invasive plants, filth, garbage, trash or debris within 10 business days, and may have the Township carry out the removal if the order is not followed. Section 362-3 requires the officer to give written notice, personally or by registered mail, before that ten-business-day clock starts, and to reinspect once it expires.

If the condition still is not corrected, § 362-4 lets the Department of Public Works do the cleanup, with the Department of Finance certifying the cost, which becomes a lien on the property added to the property's taxes and collected the same way as delinquent taxes, plus interest at the tax rate.