Checked Items

The following items will be checked during your inspection. Please refer to Section 15-16 of the township's Property Maintenance Code for more information.

15-16 EXTERIOR PROPERTY AREAS.

15-16.1 Sanitation.
All exterior property and premises shall be maintained in a clean, safe and sanitary condition. The occupant shall keep that part of the exterior property which such occupant occupies or controls in a clean and sanitary condition. (Ordinance Number 95-19 § 502.1)

15-16.2 Grading and Drainage.
All premises shall be graded and maintained to have a free flow of surface drainage and to prevent the accumulation of stagnant water thereon, or within any structure located thereon, or it shall be the property owner's responsibility to insure that the property grading is in accordance with the township Grading Ordinance requirements and has positive drainage so that water does not pond or accumulate on the premises. In addition, the property owner shall be responsible for insuring that the grading, regrading or modification of the topography of the property, drainage facilities and/or discharge of sump pumps or roof drains do not adversely impact adjoining, adjacent or nearby property or cause erosion, or interrupt the natural flow of existing drainage facilities and/or create a nuisance upon any adjacent premises or structure thereto.
Exception: Water retention areas and reservoirs approved by the Property Maintenance Inspector.
(Ordinance Number 95-19, § 502.2)

15-16.3 Sidewalks and Driveways.
All sidewalks, walkways, stairs, driveways, parking spaces and similar areas shall be kept in a proper state of repair, and maintained free from hazardous or dangerous conditions. It is the responsibility of the owner to maintain the proper repair of all sidewalks on the property. This includes all property to and including the curb line. Stairs shall comply with the requirements of subsections 15-17.11, 15-25.5 and 15-25.6. (Ordinance Number 95-19 § 502.3)

15-16.4 Natural Growth.
a. Weeds. All premises and exterior property shall be maintained free from weeds or plant growth in excess of 10 (10") inches (254 mm). All noxious weeds shall be prohibited. Weeds shall be defined as all grasses, annual plants and vegetation, other than trees or shrubs; provided, however, this term shall not include maintained cultivated flowers and gardens.
b. Trees and Shrubs. Dead and dying trees, limbs, and leaves, or other natural growth which, by reason of rotting or deteriorating conditions or storm damage, constitute a hazard to persons in the vicinity thereof shall be kept pruned and trimmed to prevent such conditions. The properties on which such natural growth is located shall be kept clean so as not to constitute a hazard.
c. Trees. It is the responsibility of the owner of the premises to maintain all trees located on the premises.
d. Tree Removal. It is the responsibility of the premises owner to remove any dead or decaying trees. Any trees removed from a premises are governed by township Ordinance 74-10.
e. Vacant and Undeveloped Land. It is the responsibility of the owner of any vacant or undeveloped land to have the property maintained at a minimum point of 10 (10') feet from any right-of-way. This includes, but is not limited to, cutting of grass and weeds, trimming and pruning of trees, maintaining a sight line and other maintenance consistent with this subsection.
f. Penalties.
1. First Offense: Any person, entity, firm, corporation or group who has been cited for violation of this section, may plead guilty by affidavit through the township of Cherry Hill Municipal Court. The fine for a first time offense, plead guilty by affidavit, is fifty ($50.00) dollars. The offending party may also appear in Municipal Court and plead not guilty to the citation, and be heard before the Court.
2. Second and/or Subsequent Offenses: Any subsequent offenses of this section shall be scheduled for Court, at which time, the person, entity, firm, corporation, or group who has been cited for violation of this section will be required to appear in Municipal Court, and could be held responsible for court costs and subject to a fine of not less than 1 hundred ($100.00) dollars nor more than 5 hundred ($500.00) dollars. Each day that a violation continues shall be deemed a separate offense.
3. In addition to any penalty, pursuant to paragraph f.2 above, the violation must be corrected by the notice date and must be properly maintained thereafter, or the owner of the property will be cited for an additional offense and will be required to appear in Municipal Court. Each day that a violation continues shall be deemed a separate offense. (Ordinance Number 95-19 § 502.4; Ordinance Number 99-11, § 1, 2-8-99)

15-16.5 Rat Harborage.
All structures and exterior property shall be kept free from rat infestation. Where rats are found, they shall be promptly exterminated by approved processes which will not be injurious to human health. After extermination, proper precautions shall be taken to prevent re-infestation. The township Animal Control Officer and the County Board of Health Officer may be consulted as to the proper processes for rat infestation prevention and cure.
a. Storage of Wood. All wood piles, including firewood, which are stored outdoors should be stored in the rear or side yard and should be ground level.
b. Garbage Removal and Storage. All garbage shall be stored as per Section 15-18. Any garbage stored in containers outdoors should be stored in the rear or side yard and should be stored above ground level. (Ordinance Number 95-19 § 502.5; Ordinance Number 99-11, § 2, 2-8-99)

15-16.6 Exhaust Vents.
Pipes, ducts, conductors, fans, blowers or chimneys shall not discharge gases, steam, vapor, hot air, grease, smoke, or other particulate wastes directly upon or affecting abutting or adjacent public or private property or that of another tenant as per the National Mechanical Codes referred to in Section 15-52. (Ordinance Number 95-19 § 502.6)

15-16.7 Accessory Structures.
All accessory structures, including detached garages, fences and walls, shall be maintained structurally sound and in good repair. (Ordinance Number 95-19 § 502.7)

15-16.8 Motor Vehicles.
Except as provided in other regulations, no unregistered, uninsured or uninspected motor vehicle shall be parked, kept or stored on any premises, and no vehicle shall at any time be in a state of major disassembly, disrepair, or in the process of being stripped or dismantled. The Property Maintenance Officer or his/her designee may cite the property owner or the owner of the vehicle in violation.
a. Temporary Permit Required. A temporary permit which permits the repair of 1 (1) unregistered, uninsured or uninspected vehicle for a period up to ninety (90) days may be applied for through the township Zoning Officer. An unregistered, uninsured or uninspected vehicle without such a permit will be considered in violation of this section and the Zoning Ordinance.
b. Zoning Ordinance. All motor vehicles under this section shall comply with township Zoning Ordinance 88-60 (Ordinance 76-71 as amended), Section 526.
c. Attractive Nuisance. All motor vehicles under this section shall be so secured as to not present an "attractive nuisance", public nuisance, or dangerous condition.
Exception: A vehicle of any type is permitted to undergo major overhaul, including body work, provided that such work is performed inside a structure or similarly enclosed area designed and approved for such purposes.
a. Penalties.
1. First Offense: Any person, entity, firm, corporation, or group who has been cited for violation of this section, may plead guilty by affidavit through the township of Cherry Hill Municipal Court. The fine for a first time offense, plead guilty by affidavit, is fifty ($50.00) dollars. The offending party may also appear in Municipal Court and plead not guilty to the citation and be heard before the Court.
2. Second and/or Subsequent Offenses: Any subsequent offenses shall be scheduled for Court, at which time, the person, entity, firm, corporation, or group who has been cited for violation of this section will be required to appear in Municipal Court, and could be held responsible for court costs and subject to a fine of not less than 1 hundred ($100.00) dollars nor more than 5 hundred ($500.00) dollars. Each day that a violation continues shall be deemed a separate offense.
3. In addition to any penalty, pursuant to paragraph d.2 above, the violation must be corrected immediately or the owner of the property will be cited for an additional offense and will be required to appear in Municipal Court. (Ordinance Number 95-19 § 502.8; Ordinance Number 99-11, § 3, 2-8-99)

15-16.9 Ground Surface Hazards or Unsanitary Conditions.
Holes, excavations, breaks, projections, obstructions, icy conditions, uncleared snow, and excretion of pets and other animals on paths, walks, driveways, parking lots and parking areas, and other parts of the premises which are accessible to and used by persons on the premises. All such holes and excavations shall be filled and repaired, walks and steps replaced and other conditions removed where necessary to eliminate hazards of unsanitary conditions with reasonable dispatch upon their discovery. (Ordinance Number 95-19 § 502.9)

15-16.10 Sewer Laterals.
It is the responsibility of the premises owners to maintain the sewer laterals which connect the premises to the main line (amending Ordinance 82-11-8). These sewer laterals shall be kept free of dirt, debris, sanitation and roots and shall be maintained in a sanitary condition. (Ordinance Number 95-19 § 502.10)

15-16.11 Sump Pumps.
If needed, it is the responsibility of the premises owners to install and maintain sump pumps in proper working order. Sump pump installation shall be performed in accordance with all applicable construction codes and requirements. If there is to be discharge into the public right-of-way, a Right-of-Way permit shall also be required. The Right-of-Way permit may be acquired from the township Engineering Department. If, in the opinion of the Property Maintenance Inspector, or their designee, it is feasible for the sump pump discharge to be connected directly to an existing storm sewer system, the Inspector has the authority to require same. If the discharge is to be onto the premises, the action shall not adversely impact adjacent, adjoining or nearby property in accordance with subsection 15-16.2. If the discharge of the water is made to the existing roadway, and is deemed to be a nuisance to nearby properties and/or to safe travel of the roadway, the Property Maintenance Inspector shall have the authority to review and/or require corrective measures. (Ordinance Number 95-19 § 502.11)

15-16.12 Snow and Ice.
All snow and ice shall be removed from sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, parking areas, and other parts of the premises which are accessible to and used by persons on the premises, or in the case of ice which may be so frozen as to make removal impractical, shall cause the same to be thoroughly covered with salt, sand, ashes, or commercial ice-melting chemical applications, within forty-8 (48) hours after the ice and/or snow shall cease to fall or be formed thereon.
Each day that such violation is permitted to exist shall constitute a separate offense. (Ordinance Number 97-25, § 1, 7-28-97)