CITY OF NORTH WILDWOOD
COUNTY OF CAPE MAY, NEW JERSEY
ORDINANCE NO. 2015
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING AND SUPPLEMENTING
ORDINANCE 1177, AS AMENDED
WHEREAS, the City of North Wildwood Planning Board (hereinafter the “Planning Board”) is authorized under the New Jersey Municipal Land Use Law, N.J.S.A. 40:55D-25, to exercise its powers concerning the City’s zoning ordinance and to perform advisory duties assigned for the aid and assistance of the governing body; and
WHEREAS, before adoption of a development regulation or an amendment of an existing regulation, the Planning Board is required to make and transmit to the governing body a report identifying any inconsistency with the Master Plan and making recommendations it deems appropriate, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:55D-26; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Board has reviewed §276-30(E) of the City of North Wildwood Land Development Ordinance, which addresses retaining walls, together with Chapter 286, Lot Grading, of the City Code; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Board has identified a conflict between §276-30(E) and the retaining wall requirements applicable under Chapter 286, and has determined that clarification is necessary to ensure that retaining walls required under Chapter 286 are clearly differentiated from decorative/landscaping retaining walls; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Board further finds that establishing clear standards for decorative, nonstructural landscaping retaining walls will promote consistent administration of the City’s land development regulations, protect the public right-of-way, and advance the aesthetics of properties located within the City; and
WHEREAS, at its duly noticed meeting of September 16, 2026, the Planning Board considered a proposed amendment to §276-30(E), determined that the amendment is consistent with the City’s Master Plan, and voted to formally recommend that the City Council adopt an Ordinance modifying §276-30(E) accordingly; and
WHEREAS, proper notice was given to the persons and bodies as required by law, the necessary publications were undertaken, and proofs with respect thereto have been filed.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Mayor and Council of the City of North Wildwood, in the County of Cape May & State of New Jersey as follows:
Section One. The portion of Ordinance 1177, as amended, that has been codified in the Code of the City of North Wildwood at §276-30(E) is hereby amended and supplemented to the extent that §276-30(E) shall henceforth read as follows:
E. Landscaping retaining walls, for purposes of decorative design, not structural intent, shall be permitted provided they are located up to and inside of existing property lines, and they will be permitted to be a maximum of one (1) foot high from grade. Retaining walls required pursuant to Chapter 286-1 et seq. shall be excluded from this section. Any landscaping retaining walls which are proposed to be higher than two feet from grade will require variance relief from the Planning Board. Any visible side of a retaining wall which fronts a public street must incorporate decorative features such as brickface or a similar finished surface in order to improve the aesthetic appearance of said retaining wall. Landscaping retaining walls must be set back a minimum of six feet from the public right-of-way, and in the event a property owner elects to construct/incorporate a fence above the proposed retaining wall the height of the combined structure must conform to current maximum fence heights as set forth within § 276-30D.
Section Two. If any portion of this Ordinance is determined to be invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, that determination shall have no effect upon the remainder of this Ordinance, which shall remain valid & operable.
Section Three. All Ordinances or parts of Ordinances inconsistent with this Ordinance, to the extent of such inconsistencies only, be & the same hereby are repealed.
Section Four. This Ordinance shall take effect immediately upon final passage & publication as provided by Law.
Salvatore T. Zampirri, Mayor
W. Scott Jett, City Clerk
CITY OF NORTH WILDWOOD
COUNTY OF CAPE MAY, NEW JERSEY
ORDINANCE NO. 2015
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING AND SUPPLEMENTING
ORDINANCE 1177, AS AMENDED
TAKE NOTICE that the foregoing Ordinance was introduced and passed on first reading at a regular meeting of the Mayor and Council of the City of North Wildwood, County of Cape May and State of New Jersey, on the 6th day of October, 2026. A second reading, hearing and final consideration of the above Ordinance will be held on the 4th day of November, 2026 at 10:00 AM in City Hall. The purpose of this Ordinance is to update regulations regarding retaining walls in the City of North Wildwood. Members of the general public who would like a copy of the Ordinance may obtain a copy, free of charge, at the office of the City Clerk in City Hall during normal business hours.
CITY OF NORTH WILDWOOD
W. Scott Jett, City Clerk