City Ordinance Highlights

In the course of managing City affairs it becomes necessary to adopt new city ordinances or amend those that exist.  Once an ordinance is properly approved by City Council (and signed by the Mayor), a public notice is published in the Bridgeton News.  Twenty (20) days after that publication date the ordinance becomes effective.

This page was created as another method of communication to city residents; helping them to become aware of the more comprehensive ordinance changes passed by City Council.  It is important to note that not every detail of the ordinance will be shown, nor will every ordinance be listed below.  To fully understand the impact of an ordinance, one must either read the complete text online, or visit the City Clerk's office to obtain a copy.  Typically, updating the online code occurs some months after an ordinance becomes effective.

In our continuing effort to improve our city’s appearance, the present Administration is actively enforcing property maintenance, trash, and litter ordinances that have existed for many years.  To this end, you may now download our Resident Information Notice that summarizes the areas of concern that are being closely monitored by city officials and inspectors.

• Water & Sewer Department Created (Ord. 06-12, effective 12/18/06)
  - The Water & Sewer division will be removed from the Public Works Department and established as its own Department.

• Trash Collection Rules Changed (Ord. 06-14, effective 12/18/06)
  - Trash container receptacle placement times simplified.
  - Waste fee abatement provided for residential vacancies.
  - Violations for improper waste disposal.

  - Rooming & boarding house owners must annually (or after a new license is issued) file a copy of their NJ State Boarding House license with the City Tax collector.

• Inspections Required for Residential Homes (Ord. 06-17, effective 12/29/06)
  - Certificate of Inspection (CI) required for residential home sales.
  - Certificate of Occupancy (CO) required prior to occupying home after being sold.

• Regulation of Garage (Yard) Sales (Ord. 06-18, effective 12/29/06)
  - Must obtain a $5 license (from Zoning Office) prior to a sale.
  - Limited to 3 sales per person per year.
  - No more than 3 sales on the same premises per 12 months.
  - Sale time restricted to 7:00am - 6:00pm.

• Licensing of Cats & Dogs (Ord. 06-21, effective 03/29/07)
  - Cats must now be licensed.
  - License application must be made within 10 days of taking possession of cat, or dog.
  - Owners are responsible for property damage (lawn, shrubbery, flowers, etc.) caused by their animals.
  - No fees charged if person is OVER 65.

• Restricted Parking - Oak St, between Giles & Lawrence Sts. (Ord. 06-32, effective 06/07/07)
  - Parking permitted ONLY on north side, except on Wednesdays (between 7:00 am & 12 Noon).
  - On Wednesdays (between 7:00 am & 12 Noon) parking permitted ONLY on south side
  - Signs will be posted, and violators will be subject to a $75 fine.

• Restricted Parking - Cohansey St. (Ord. 06-33, effective 06/07/07)
  - Parking restricted on the east side starting at the northerly curb line at Irving Ave and continuing 350 feet north.
  - No Parking signs will be posted to identify the no parking zone.

• Water Use Charges Revised (Ord. 06-39, effective 7/17/07)
  - Quarterly water use (above the allowable flat-rate charge based on meter size tier) will be at $2.50/1,000 gallons
  - The sliding scale water consumption charges have been replaced by a flat rate: $2.50/1,000 gallons
  - The 25% industrial use discount was eliminated

• Penalties Imposed for Violating Water Use Restrictions (Ord. 07-16, effective 12/04/07)
  - Restrictions to be published in local newspaper & posted in the City Clerk's office
  - 1st offense: written warning
  - 2nd Offense: $50 municipal fine, 3rd Offense: $100 municipal fine, 4th (and above) Offense: $250 municipal fine

• On-Street Parking Permits Required (Ord. 07-30, effective 03/14/08)
  - Permits required for residents to park on designated streets  - No fee for permit, unless seeking a replacement permit.
  - Initially, only Oak St. parking will require permits.  However, additional streets may be added based on resident requests
  - Applicants must prove Bridgeton residency - permits issued by the Division of Police
  - Permit exceptions apply; visitor & supplemental need permits available (contact the Police Dept. for details)
  - Generally, vehicle must display a valid NJ registration to obtain a permit
  - In addition to towing & impoundment, municipal fines apply: 1st offense: $50; 2nd Offense: $250; 3rd (and above) Offense: $1,000

• Vehicle Residential Lawn Parking Restrictions  (Ord. 07-31, effective 03/14/08)
  - Vehicles may only be parked on an existing defined driveway or parking area (having been created by paving, concrete, or stone)
  - One written warning issued - $75 fine if not corrected with time specified in warning (1st offense)
  - 2nd Offense: $150 fine, 3rd (and above) Offense: $300 fine
  - Fines payable without court appearance

©2006 City of Bridgeton. All rights reserved.