Local-Ord-Laws

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Garwood Police Department

Frequently asked Local Orinances and Laws

This is a list of some of the more common questions regarding local ordinances and laws related to the quality of life in the Borough of Garwood.

Noise Complaints

No person shall perform or cause the following acts, or suffer, allow or permit the following acts, on any property owned or leased by said person or otherwise under said person's control:

(a) Sound reproduction system. Operating, playing or permitting the operation or playing of any radio, television, phonograph, or similar device that reproduces or amplifies sound in such a manner as to create a noise disturbance for any person other than the operator of the device.

(b) Loudspeakers and public address systems. The using or operating of any loudspeaker, public address system, or similar device between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. weekdays, 8:00 a.m. Saturdays and 9:00 a.m. Sundays, such that the sound therefrom creates a noise disturbance across a residential property line. (c) Animals and birds. Owning, possessing, or harboring any pet animal or pet bird that frequently or for continued duration makes sounds that create a noise disturbance across a residential property line (for the purpose of this section, a noise disturbance from a barking dog shall be defined as that created by a dog barking continually for 10 minutes or intermittently for 30 minutes unless provoked).

(d) Loading and unloading. Loading, unloading, opening, closing or other handling of newspapers, boxes, crates, bundles, containers, building materials, liquids, or the pneumatic or pumped loading or unloading of bulk materials in liquid, gaseous, powder or pellet form, or the compacting of refuse by persons engaged in the scavenging business, between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. weekdays, 8:00 a.m. Saturdays and 9:00 a.m. Sundays, when the sound therefrom creates a noise disturbance across a residential property line.

(e) Standing motor vehicles. Operating or permitting the operation of any motor vehicle whose manufacturer's gross weight is in excess of 10,000 pounds, or any auxiliary equipment attached to such a vehicle, for a period of longer than five minutes in any hour while the vehicle is stationary within 150 feet of any residential property line between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. weekdays, 8:00 a.m. Saturdays and 9:00 a.m. Sundays.

(f) Construction and demolition. Operating or permitting the operation of any tools or equipment used in construction, drilling, earthmoving, excavating or demolition work between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. weekdays, 8:00 a.m. Saturdays and 9:00 a.m. Sundays.

(g) Exhausts. Permitting or causing the discharge into the open air of the exhaust of any steam engine, stationary internal-combustion engine or motor vehicle except through a muffler or other device which effectively prevents a noise disturbance.

(h) Yelling, shouting. Yelling, shouting, hooting, whistling or singing on the public streets, or within 150 feet of any residential property line, between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. weekdays, 8:00 a.m. Saturdays and 9:00 a.m. Sundays.

(i) Horns. The sounding of a horn or warning device on any automobile, motorcycle, bus or other vehicle, except when required by law, or when necessary to give timely warning of the approach of the vehicle, or as a warning of impending danger to persons driving other vehicles, or to persons upon the street. No person shall sound a horn or warning device on any automobile, motorcycle, bus or other vehicle which emits an unreasonable loud or harsh sound or for any unnecessary or unreasonable period of time.

(j) Equipment. The utilizing of any equipment, machine or other mechanical device between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. weekdays, 8:00 a.m. Saturdays and 9:00 a.m. Sundays, when the sound therefrom creates a noise disturbance across a residential property line.

(3) Exceptions. The provisions of this article shall not apply to:

The emission of sound by any public entity or public utility in the performance of any emergency work to deliver essential services, including, but not limited to, water, gas, electricity, telephone, sewer facilities or public transportation facilities, or to remove fallen trees on public rights-of-way, or to abate life-threatening conditions.

Property Maintenance

It shall be unlawful for any owner, lessee, or occupant of any lot or land to permit or maintain on such lot or land, within a distance of 200 feet of any building, sidewalk, public place or the curbline of any street, any growth of weeds, grass or brush to a height of six inches or more, or any dead or dying trees, stumps, roots or other rand vegetation, and failure to remove such items within five days after service of notice is hereinafter provided in

Unregistered Vehicles

No unregistered or inoperable vehicle (auto, boat, trailer, etc.) shall be stored in residential zones unless it is stored within a garage as defined in § 106-4. Only one such vehicle may be so located on a residential property.

Snow Removal

Temporary prohibited parking for snow removal and other emergencies. Reminder: Do not place shoveled snow back into the roadway.

A. Whenever snow has fallen and there is an accumulation of three inches or more of snow on any street or highway, no vehicle shall be parked on any street or highway, or portion thereof in the Borough of Garwood. This prohibition shall remain in effect until and after the snow has ceased and the street has been plowed after the cessation of the snowfall.

B. In the event that weather conditions, accidents, fires, street sweeping, public celebrations, or any other emergency requires the avoidance of hazards or other conditions which interfere with the free flow of traffic, the Chief of Police or, in his absence, the ranking police officer of the Department, is authorized to declare an emergency and to direct the posting of "Emergency No Parking" signs. Upon the declaration of the emergency and the posting of such signs, there shall be no parking upon the streets or sections of streets where such signs have been posted. Notification of the declaration of the emergency and the posting of such sighs shall be given to the operator or owner of any vehicle which has been parked prior to the posting of the signs.

C. Any vehicle parked or standing in violation of this section shall be deemed a nuisance and a menace to the safe and proper regulation of traffic, and any police officer may provide for the removal of such vehicle by towing or otherwise. The owner of such vehicle shall pay the removal costs and any storage charges that may result from such removal prior to regaining possession of the vehicle.