Code Enforcement

Code Enforcement plays an important role in preserving the attractive appearance of neighborhoods in the Township of Lacey. The mission of Code Enforcement is to provide fair and comprehensive enforcement of Township Codes, which include junk, debris, trash, nuisance, weeds, zoning, and rental/leased property maintenance.

The Township of Lacey encourages its citizens to become community minded. You are encouraged to get to know your neighborhood and meet your neighbors. Working together we can provide and maintain safe, clean and attractive neighborhoods.

Citizens are also encouraged to cooperate with one another in a friendly manner to resolve minor concerns before contacting Code Enforcement for assistance.

The purpose of this Citizen's Guide to Code Enforcement is to acquaint residents of the community with Township Code information that can help keep our neighborhoods both safer and visually appealing. This guide contains only general information, for specific Code information please contact our office at (609) 693-1100, ext. 2249.

Animals / Pets

Animal and pet owners must comply with the following:

• Owners may not have more than six dogs or cats.
• Dogs must have a current Township of Lacey license, which must be attached to the collar. Licenses are available at the Municipal Building at the Board of Health.
• All dogs over the age of 7 months must have a current rabies vaccination
• All pets should be prevented from trespassing onto other property, running at large, or creating a nuisance.

Garbage, Rubbish, Trash and Junk Removal

Owners and occupants of dwellings within the township shall:

• Discard garbage and household rubbish in a clean and sanitary way that prevents it from becoming a home for rodents, insects or other pests.
• Garbage shall not be stored in open-air, in utility trailers, pick-up trucks, recreational vehicles, or anything other than approved trash containers. Store garbage and rubbish in leak proof, watertight containers with tight fitting lids. Plastic bags will not keep animals out of garbage and should not be used for outdoor storage
• Remove garbage and rubbish at least once a week, or as often as necessary to prevent a nuisance. Lacey Township provides 2 curbside trash collections per week.
• Keep sidewalks, parking areas and vacant lots clean and free of litter and garbage.

JUNK, means any used, broken, discarded or abandoned materials. This term shall include wood, paper, glass, rags, rubber, metal, concrete or other personal property, whether of value or valueless, and which may or may not be partly or wholly assembled into motor vehicles, machinery or other useful objects of any kind. It shall also include motor vehicles, appliances and any parts thereof, which are no longer in an operable condition, and mobile homes or travel trailers which are abandoned, being dismantled or partially dismantled.

It is unlawful to accumulate or store junk items in open air. This includes litter, trash, furniture, mattresses, appliances, wrecked or inoperative vehicles, car parts, salvage materials and any object that is normally considered useless or inoperable in its present condition.

Public Streets

No person shall park a truck, tractor, trailer, recreational vehicle, camper, boat or omnibus with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of over ten thousand (10,000) pounds or greater on any street or any part of a street. In addition no person shall park a trailer on any street or any part of any street if it is unattached or not connected to a towing vehicle. 

Parking Prohibited

Whenever snow has fallen and the accumulation is such that is covers the streets and highways, an emergency shall exist and no vehicle shall be parked on the street or highways.

The above parking prohibitions will remain in effect after the snow has ceased until the streets have be plowed sufficiently and to the extent that parking will not interfere with the normal flow of traffic.

Property Maintenance Code

The Property Maintenance Code applies to residential housing and non-residential establishments. It establishes minimum standards for basic heating, water, lighting, ventilation, electrical, and plumbing. The code also regulates health and safety issues.

Residents with property maintenance complaints should follow a simple Three-step process:

1) Submit complaint or request for repair to their property manager, landlord, or owner.

2) Maintain a written record of actions taken and responses received.

Upon failure of the property manager, landlord, or owner to make corrective actions within a reasonable amount of time:

3) Contact Code Enforcement at (609) 693-1100, ext. 2249.

Vehicles

It is unlawful to park or store unregistered, inoperable, dismantled or wrecked vehicles outdoors on private property or public right-of-ways.

An inoperable vehicle is any motorized or self-propelled vehicle that cannot safely and lawfully move under its own power in its present condition.

Weeds and Plant Growth

Owners and occupants must cut and remove weeds or collections of cuttings, clippings or other grasses, brush, tree limbs, branches or similar debris.

Weeds include:

Any plant which ordinarily grows without cultivation, is not grown for landscaping, slope stabilization, drainage control or food production purposes.

Grass or weeds over ten (10) inches in height

Any plant that grows in such accumulation as to become a fire danger.

Zoning Enforcement

• Illegal uses and structures
• Signs
• Fences and walls
• Off street parking
• Landscaping and screening
• Sight visibility at intersections
• Home businesses

We thank everyone for their efforts, contributions and cooperation in helping to make and keep the township of lacey a safe, healthy and pleasant place to work and live.

Township of Lacey
Code Enforcement