Perth Amboy, NJ Public Health Rules: Rodent Control (2026)

The City of Perth Amboy makes rat control a duty of property owners and occupants in Chapter 349, Ratproofing, adopted 12-1-48 as Ord. No. C-398. Under § 349-2, every building in the city, whether private or public, vacant or occupied, must be ratproofed, freed of rats and maintained in a ratproof and rat-free condition under the direction and supervision of the Health Officer. "Building" covers all buildings, dwellings and structures, and "premises" includes vacant lots, lands, yards and open areas. For a vacant building, the owner, agent or other person having custody carries the responsibility of an occupant.

Ratproofing means closing and protecting the openings in exterior walls, foundations, roofs, sidewalks, grates, outer entrances, floors, doors and drains that rats can reach from the ground by climbing or burrowing, using materials impervious to rat gnawing. Construction work is covered too. Section 349-3 makes it unlawful to construct, repair or remodel a building in a way that leaves it not ratproof, and § 349-8 bars anyone, including a contractor or public utility company, from removing ratproofing unless it is immediately restored. Under § 349-4, no one can occupy a building where foodstuffs are stored, kept, handled, sold or offered for sale without complying, and the city issues no license for that business until it does.

Enforcement starts with inspection. Section 349-5 authorizes the Health Officer to make unannounced and periodic inspections of the interior and exterior of buildings, structures and premises. A failing building draws a written notice or order, served personally or by registered mail. A nonresident owner is served by registered mail at the last known address on the books of the City Tax Collector. Under § 349-6 the compliance period can never be less than ten (10) days unless the Health Officer grants a written extension. If the owner or occupant does nothing, § 349-7 directs the Health Officer to ratproof the property at their expense, and unless the bill is paid within five (5) days the city can bring a court action to recover the cost.

Two housekeeping rules feed the same goal. Section 349-9 requires garbage or refuse upon which rats may feed to be stored until collected in covered containers of a type prescribed or approved by the Health Officer. Section 349-10 makes it unlawful to leave, dump or let accumulate any garbage, refuse, rubbish, trash or junk that affords food or harborage for rats.