Ocean City Council Clarifies City Ordinances

Ocean City, NJ -- Ocean City Council approved three proposed ordinances on introduction designed to clarify and correct some existing legislation during its council meeting on May 26.

The first reinserts yard encroachments as a permitted use into existing legislation for required yards for homes in the Riviera and Bayou sections of the city. The use was inadvertently left out when the ordinance was previously amended.

It also corrects the height for backyard patio encroachments to 8.2 feet. It is incorrectly listed at 7 feet in current legislation.

The next proposed ordinance clarifies what an architectural projection is. The legislation clarifies that architectural projections include chimneys and the full length or depth of a garage wall, which weren’t previously included.

The final piece of proposed legislation expands the number of porches that qualify for enhanced standards, including a decorative railing. Legislation would now include structures that have a deck over another deck with a permanent open roof as opposed to a solid closed roof.

All three ordinances were approved on introduction with 7-0 votes, and the public hearing and final vote on all three take place on June 23.