Ridgewood requires owners of vacant lots and structures to maintain them clean, safe, secure, and sanitary, preventing blight conditions under Chapter 223 Article XI.
Under Ridgewood's Property Maintenance code, all vacant structures and the premises around them, as well as vacant land parcels, must be maintained in clean, safe, secure, and sanitary condition so they do not cause blighting problems or adversely affect public health or safety. The Village pairs this with weed-height limits of 10 inches and prohibitions on noxious weeds. Vacant property owners are responsible for securing buildings against unauthorized entry, removing accumulations of debris and refuse, and cutting overgrowth. The Village can remove impediments such as grass, weeds, ice, and debris if owners fail to act and certify the cost as a lien on the property.
Failure to secure a vacant building, allowing weed overgrowth, or accumulating debris on a vacant lot triggers fines of $125, $250, and $350 for successive offenses, plus Village removal cost recovery.
See how other cities in Bergen County handle vacant lot maintenance.
See how Ridgewood's vacant lot maintenance rules stack up against other locations.
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