Showing ordinances that apply to Ramapo College of New Jersey, NJ
Ramapo College of New Jersey is an unincorporated community (population 2,200) in Bergen County, New Jersey. Because Ramapo College of New Jersey is not an incorporated city, it does not have its own municipal code. Instead, Bergen County ordinances apply directly to properties here. The vacant lot maintenance rules below are the ones that govern your area.
Bergen County vacant lot owners must maintain their property under the NJ Abandoned Properties Rehabilitation Act (N.J.S.A. 55:19-78) and municipal property maintenance codes. Grass and weeds must be kept under 10-12 inches, trash removed, and structures secured. Many Bergen municipalities require vacant property registration. Bergen County Prosecutor can pursue nuisance abatement for severe cases.
Bergen County vacant lot regulation combines state law with municipal property maintenance codes. The NJ Abandoned Properties Rehabilitation Act (N.J.S.A. 55:19-78 et seq., enacted 2004) authorizes municipalities to designate properties as abandoned after specified vacancy periods and pursue various remedies including possessory actions and receivership. The NJ Creditor Responsibility Act (N.J.S.A. 46:10B-51, 2014) requires mortgage holders to maintain foreclosed residential properties. Municipal property maintenance codes (adopting IPMC via N.J.A.C. 5:28) require vacant lots to maintain: grass and weeds under 10-12 inches (Hackensack Code §142-18 sets 10 inches; Paramus Code §390-12 sets 10 inches; Fort Lee Code §230-14 sets 12 inches; Teaneck Code §33-17 sets 10 inches; Ridgewood Code §207-12 sets 8 inches); removal of trash, debris, and vermin harborage; securing any structures against trespass (boarding of windows, locked doors); maintenance of sidewalks and curb; snow clearance even if vacant. Vacant property registration: Hackensack Code §159-10 requires vacant properties registered with $500-$2,500 annual fee depending on duration vacant; Fort Lee Code §197-12 requires registration with $1,000 annual fee for residential, $2,500 commercial; Paramus Code §379-8 requires registration; Teaneck Code §22A-10 requires abandoned property registration. Bergen County Abandoned Property Task Force coordinates enforcement. Municipalities may mow, abate, and lien non-compliant properties under N.J.S.A. 40:48-2.14 (Municipal Property Maintenance Code authority). Typical abatement charges: $200-$500 per mowing plus administrative fee; $500-$5,000 for trash/debris removal. Liens attach to property and are collected with property taxes per N.J.S.A. 54:5-2. Bergen County Prosecutor's Abandoned Properties Unit may pursue civil nuisance actions for severe cases. In addition, the NJ Court's Creditor Responsibility regulations require mortgage servicers to maintain foreclosed properties, with fines up to $2,500 per day for non-compliance.
Written notice with 10-14 day compliance deadline. Municipal mowing/cleanup at owner expense ($200 to $500+ per occurrence plus 20% administrative fee in Hackensack, Paramus). Liens placed on property for unpaid abatement costs per N.J.S.A. 54:5-2, collected with property taxes. Registration failures: $500-$2,500 per unit per year. Creditor Responsibility Act violations: fines up to $2,500 per day per N.J.S.A. 46:10B-51. Severe cases: civil nuisance action by Bergen County Prosecutor.
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