09-03

ORDINANCE OF THE BOROUGH OF MERCHANTVILLE, COUNTY OF CAMDEN, STATE OF NEW JERSEY AMENDING CHAPTER 125, ZONING, IN THE CODE OF THE BOROUGH OF MERCHANTVILLE

BE IT ORDAINED by the Mayor and Borough Council of the Borough of Merchantville, County of Camden, and State of New Jersey that Chapter 125, Zoning, is hereby amended in the Code of the Borough of Merchantville, as follows:

ARTICLE I.              SECTION 125-13.1               Outside storage of firewood; regulations.

A.                No person shall store firewood in the front yard on residentially zoned property, except that firewood may be temporarily stored in the front yard for a period of ten (10) days from the date of its delivery.

B.                 Outside storage of firewood; generally.

1.                  The firewood shall be cut/split, prepared for use, and stored in neat, secure stacks.  The firewood shall be neatly stacked and may not be stacked closer than three (3) feet to any lot line and not higher than four (4) feet from grade, except adjacent to a fence where firewood can be stacked as high as the fence.  Fences as used in this Section shall not include hedges and other vegetation.  The firewood shall be stored a minimum of eight (8) inches off the ground and on a well supported, non-rotting base.

2.                  There shall be no more than two (2) cords of wood stored at any time, and no more than one fourth (1/4) of a fireplace cord shall be stored on a porch of a residential structure.

C.                 All brush, debris and refuse from processing of firewood shall be promptly and properly disposed of within ten (10) days and shall not be allowed to remain on the premises.

D.                Woodpiles that contain diseased wood that is capable of transmitting disease to healthy trees and woodpiles that harbor or are infested or inhabited by rats or other vermin are public nuisances and may be abated pursuant to the provisions of this Code.

E.                 Firewood may be stored upon a residential property solely for use on the premises and not for resale.

ARTICLE II.

All Ordinances contrary to the provisions of this Ordinance are hereby repealed to the extent that they are inconsistent herewith.

ARTICLE III.

This Ordinance shall take effect upon passage and publication according to law.

THE BOROUGH OF MERCHANTVILLE

                                     BY:_____________________________

                                        FRANK M. NORTH, MAYOR

ATTEST:

________________________________

DENISE L. BROUSE, BOROUGH CLERK

The foregoing ordinance was introduced by Mayor and Council at the regular meeting held on January 12, 2009.  This Ordinance will be considered for adoption on final reading and public hearing to be held on January 26, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Meeting Room, Merchantville Borough Hall, 1 West Maple Avenue, Merchantville, New Jersey.

The purpose of this Ordinance is to regulate the outdoor storage of firewood in residential areas of the Borough of Merchantville.  A copy of this Ordinance is available at no charge to the general public between the hours of 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday (Legal Holidays excluded), at the Office of the Borough Clerk, Merchantville Borough Hall, 1 West Maple Avenue, Merchantville, New Jersey.