Toms River, NJ Property Maintenance: Vacant Lot Maintenance (2026)
Key Facts
- Notice period
- 7 days to comply
- Weed/grass height limit
- 10 inches (IPMC § 302.4)
- Enforcement
- Bureau of Property Maintenance
- Nonpayment remedy
- cost added to property taxes
Summary
Toms River Township can order the owner or tenant of any lot, vacant or built, to cut brush, weeds, and high grass within seven days of notice, then bill the cleanup as a tax lien if ignored.
Where it shall be necessary and expedient for the preservation of public health, safety or general welfare, or to eliminate a fire hazard, the Township council may require the owner or tenant of land to remove or destroy brush, weeds, including ragweed, dead and dying trees, roots, obnoxious growths, high grass, filth, garbage, trash and debris within seven days after notice to remove or destroy the same.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4954830; v33 updated 2026-04-22; through 04-22-2026).
Full Breakdown
Toms River Township adopted the 2006 International Property Maintenance Code and locally amended § 302.4 to cap weeds and plant growth at 10 inches on any premises. Separately, adopted § 111.2 lets the Township Council order the owner or tenant of any land to remove brush, ragweed, high grass, filth, and debris within seven days of notice. If the owner doesn't comply, a municipal officer performs the cleanup and certifies the cost, which is then charged against the property and collected like unpaid property taxes.
Violations & Fines
The Township can perform the cleanup itself after the seven-day notice period lapses and add the full cost to the property's tax bill, collected with interest like delinquent taxes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the weed rule apply to vacant, unbuilt lots in Toms River?
How tall can grass or weeds get before it's a violation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Toms River
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Vacant Lot Maintenance in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle vacant lot maintenance.