Trenton — Ch. 8 Art. III Property Maintenance § 8-122
Sanitary conditions
Operative Text
(a) Duties of occupants, owners, managers and operators. Every occupant of a structure, building, or part thereof, shall keep that portion of the structure or premises which he occupies in a clean and sanitary condition. Every owner, manager or operator of a building containing two or more dwelling units shall maintain the shared or public areas of the building in a clean and sanitary condition. (b) Exterior areas generally. All exterior property areas and premises shall be maintained in a clean, safe and sanitary condition, free from any accumulation of rubbish or garbage. Storage of material must at all times, be enclosed or screened from adjoining property and from public view so as not to be visible from adjoining property or from a public street. (c) Garbage removal. Every building shall be supplied with an approved garbage disposal facility such as a mechanical sink grinder to be located within each dwelling unit or with approved outside garbage can as required by this article. Such facilities shall be sufficient to meet the needs of the occupants. Outside storage shall be no more than ten feet from the building or garage. (d) Stagnant water. All premises shall be graded and maintained in such a manner so as to prevent the accumulation of stagnant water thereon. (e) Pest extermination. An owner or manager of a structure or of property shall be responsible for the extermination of insects, rats, vermin or other pests in all exterior areas of the premises except that the occupant of a single-family dwelling shall be responsible for such extermination in the exterior areas of the premises. Whenever infestation exists in the shared or public parts of a premises or structure which is not a single-family dwelling, extermination shall be the responsibility of the owner, manager or operator of the premises or structure. (f) Paved areas. All sidewalks, steps, driveways, parking spaces and similar paved areas privately owned, but used by the public, shall be free from mud and other debris. If any sidewalk or driveway, or portion thereof, by virtue of its state of disrepair shall constitute a danger to public health and safety, the sidewalk or driveway, or portion thereof, shall be repaired or replaced. (g) Wild plant growth and lawn grasses. All areas shall be kept free from weeds or wild plant growth. Lawns shall not exceed eight inches in height. (h) Nonresidential structures. The owner or occupant of a nonresidential structure or part thereof shall keep the equipment and fixtures located therein in a clean and sanitary condition and shall be responsible for the exercise of reasonable care in the proper use, operation and maintenance of such equipment and fixtures. (i) Vacant structures. All vacant structures and vacant land shall be maintained in a clean, safe, secure and sanitary condition as provided herein so as not to cause blight or to adversely affect the public health and safety.
Trenton Ch. 8 Art. III § 8-122 establishes a layered system of sanitary responsibilities for all properties in the city. Occupants must keep their own units clean, while owners, managers, and operators of multi-unit buildings are responsible for shared and public areas. The provision also covers exterior upkeep, garbage disposal, pest control, stagnant water prevention, paved surfaces, lawn maintenance, and the condition of vacant and nonresidential structures.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 8-122, owners and managers of buildings with two or more dwelling units are generally expected to maintain shared hallways, lobbies, and other common areas in a clean and sanitary state. Compliant operators typically ensure adequate garbage disposal facilities are in place, keep exterior areas free of rubbish, address pest infestations in shared spaces, maintain paved areas in safe condition, and keep lawns trimmed to no more than eight inches. Vacant properties must also be kept clean, safe, and secure to avoid blight or public health hazards under this same provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section § 8-122 establishes that tenants have a duty to keep their own occupied portion of a dwelling clean and sanitary, but it also places clear obligations on owners and managers for shared spaces, pest control in common areas, and exterior conditions. If a tenant observes violations of these standards — such as pest infestations in common areas, unsanitary shared spaces, or improper garbage facilities — they may report the conditions to Trenton's property maintenance enforcement authorities. Tenant-rights organizations can help residents understand how § 8-122 conditions may be raised in housing proceedings or complaint processes.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 10, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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