The Township Committee adopted an ordinance at a meeting on June 24 that will regulate Tabernacle’s vacant and abandoned residential properties.
“We feel this ordinance will go a long way in addressing what we are able to do with properties that have become vacant,” township solicitor Peter Lange said.
Residents had voiced concerns at past meetings that the township should be able to regulate properties that have been abandoned and become unsavory to the neighborhood.
In many cases, the owners of these properties have been neglectful and are not maintaining or securing them to an adequate standard, officials said.
Owners will now be required to register the property within 30 days of it becoming vacant or assuming ownership of the property.
The registration will remain valid for one year and will need to be renewed each year the property remains vacant.
Property owners will also have to take several measures in addition to registering the property. The building will have to be secured from unauthorized entry and a sign has to be posted with contact information of who is responsible for the upkeep.
The exterior of the house, including yards, fences, driveways and sidewalks, must also be maintained and free of trash or excess grass and weed growth.
If the ordinance is violated, the owner will be subject to fines, and each day a violation continues it will be treated as a separate offense.
The initial registration fee for each property will be $500. The renewal fee will increase to $1,500, $3,000 and $5,000 each year the property remains vacant.
The hope is that, with this fee structure, owners will be incentivized to either keep the property productive or sell to someone who will.
The ordinance was mostly met with a positive reception from the public, as it should help prevent homes from falling into disrepair or becoming eyesores.
The ordinance also aims to stop the decline of neighboring property values as well as lower the risk of fire or other public health risks.
Tabernacle resident Fran Brooks suggested that the ordinance be amended now to include commercial properties as well, but the committee elected to adopt the ordinance as is to get the process of registration moving and revisit it later if necessary.
