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

Ocean County has significant undeveloped land — Pinelands preservation acres, post-Sandy demolition lots on the barrier peninsula, and buildable-but-vacant inventory throughout Jackson, Manchester, Berkeley, Lacey, Stafford, and Little Egg Harbor. Each municipality regulates vacant lot maintenance. Typical rules: grass and weeds must not exceed 10 inches (Toms River Ch. 368), though some towns allow 12 inches or tie to 'sight triangle' and 'fire hazard' standards. Trash, debris, abandoned materials must be removed. Fences and any structures on vacant lots must be maintained or removed. Illegal dumping (common in wooded Pinelands areas of Jackson, Manchester, Plumsted) is aggressively prosecuted under N.J.S.A. 13:1E-9.3. Pinelands Commission requires preservation of natural vegetation on protected parcels — unnecessary clearing may itself be a violation. Bay-front vacant lots in tidal wetlands are regulated under NJDEP Wetlands Act (N.J.S.A. 13:9A). After 10-30 day notice, municipality may mow and clean at owner's expense, billing as municipal lien.