Code Enforcement

The Mantua Township Code Enforcement Department is responsible for upholding community standards by investigating and addressing reports of violations to Mantua Township Codes. Through diligent enforcement, the department helps preserve property values, enhance neighborhood safety, and maintain the high quality of life that residents expect and deserve.

Complete copies of the Township of Mantua Code are available for review at the Township Clerk’s Office or online. Residents are encouraged to report potential violations by calling, emailing, or submitting a report through our online “Report A Concern” feature.

Contact Information

Common Violations of Mantua Township Codes Include:

Animals (Dogs & Cats)

Any property within the Township of Mantua is limited to three dogs and three cats, except for those with a valid commercial kennel license. All dogs and cats over six months of age must be vaccinated against rabies and licensed by the Township. No person shall own any dog which habitually cries or barks in a manner that would annoy or disturb a reasonable person. No person owning a dog or cat shall permit it to run at large upon public streets, parks, or any public place within the Township, nor allow it to roam on private property without the owner’s permission. No person shall allow a dog to defecate or commit any nuisance on any portion of public property, or on private property without the owner’s permission.

Housing Standards/Maintenance

Residents are required to maintain their property at all times. The exterior of properties must be properly maintained. Every foundation, floor, wall, ceiling, door, window, roof, or other part of the building shall be kept in good repair and capable of the use intended by its design. Any exterior part subject to corrosion or deterioration shall be well-painted. Every dwelling shall be free from rodents, vermin, and insects. Buildings, dwellings, dwelling units, and all other areas of the premises shall be clean and free from garbage, rubbish, and safety hazards. Lawns, hedges, and bushes shall be kept trimmed and not allowed to become overgrown or unsightly. Fences shall be kept in good repair.

Sign Permits

No sign, other than exempt signs, shall be erected without first obtaining a sign permit from the Township Zoning Officer. No sign shall be erected within the right-of-way of any public street or sidewalk, at any intersection within the triangular area formed by the right-of-way lines, or in any way that impedes the vision of motorists or pedestrians or otherwise endangers their safety. No sign shall be placed on any tree, telegraph pole, electric pole, or public utility pole, or upon rocks or other natural features. Banners are permitted only as wall signs. Mobile, vehicle, permanent, sandwich, and A-frame signs are prohibited. Political signs are allowed, provided they are on private property, set back at least 15 feet from all street and property lines, and are not more than 16 square feet. These signs shall be permitted within 30 days prior to an election and must be removed within 10 days after the election. Yard and garage sale signs shall not exceed 4 square feet, may not be erected more than 7 days before the sale, and must be removed within 48 hours after the sale.

Littering

No person shall throw, drop, discard, or otherwise place litter of any nature upon any public or private property, except in a litter receptacle. It is unlawful to discard or dump along any street or road, on or off any right-of-way, any litter, household or commercial waste, rubbish, refuse, junk, vehicle, or vehicle parts without the written consent of the property owner. The owner or person in control of any private property must maintain the premises free of litter at all times, except for storage in authorized litter receptacles.

Vacant/Abandoned Properties

A building qualifies as abandoned if it is used or intended for residential, commercial, or industrial purposes but is not legally occupied. This includes buildings where most legal construction or occupancy has stopped and that cannot be legally reoccupied without repairs or rehabilitation. It also includes properties that meet the definition of abandoned property under N.J.S.A. 55:19-81.

Registration Requirements: Effective January 1, 2015, the owner of any vacant property shall, within 30 calendar days after the building becomes vacant property or within 30 calendar days after assuming ownership of the vacant property, whichever is later; or within 10 calendar days of receipt of notice by the municipality, file a registration statement for such vacant property with the Zoning Office on forms provided by the Township for such purposes. Failure to receive notice from the municipality shall not constitute grounds for failing to register the property.

Streets & Sidewalks

No person shall tear up, open, dig, or excavate any street, highway, road, public place, or right-of-way, nor disturb any pavement, curbing, or guttering without obtaining a permit. Owners, occupants, or tenants of premises abutting any street must remove all snow and ice from sidewalks within 24 hours after the snow or ice accumulation ceases.

Yard Sales

No person shall conduct a yard sale within the Township without first obtaining a yard sale permit from the Township Clerk. The permit shall be issued without fees to any applicant who complies with the terms and conditions, except that a permit shall not be issued more than twice in one year for the same applicant or for the same property. The yard sale permit shall be valid for no more than three consecutive days and must be displayed on the premises throughout the entire period of the sale. All yard sale hours shall be conducted between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.