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Pennington council introduces broad fee increases in proposed Chapter 98 overhaul
Summary
On May 4, 2026, the Pennington Borough Council introduced Ordinance 2026‑19, a comprehensive amendment to Chapter 98 proposing higher fees across planning, licensing, public‑works services, and municipal operations; the measure was read by Mayor James Davy and now moves toward future council consideration.
The Pennington Borough Council on May 4, 2026 introduced Ordinance 2026‑19, a sweeping proposal to amend Chapter 98 of the borough code and raise a wide range of municipal fees.
Mayor James Davy read the ordinance by title at the start of the meeting. The proposed changes listed in the ordinance cover planning and zoning application and escrow charges, subdivision and site‑plan fees, municipal court discovery photocopy rates, paid‑detail hourly rates, dog and cat licensing, park and facility use permits, trash pickup and container replacement fees, snow and ice removal equipment and labor rates, street‑opening permits, standby and connection fees for private fire‑protection systems, water and sewer connection charges, building and subcode permit fees (including plumbing, electrical, mechanical and fire subcodes), retail food licensing, towing and heavy‑recovery fees, and numerous other administrative charges.
Examples in the ordinance include an increase in the dog license fee from $15 to $18 and a proposed change to the annual retail food restaurant fee for establishments with fewer than 25 seats from $200 to $220. The ordinance also proposes new and higher hourly equipment and labor rates for snow and ice removal and for replacement of lost or damaged trash containers. Where the ordinance amends schedules tied to the Uniform Construction Code or N.J.A.C. citations, it notes that deductions and regulatory procedures will continue to apply.
The ordinance text specifies that it "shall be effective upon passage and publication as provided by law." At introduction the council did not adopt the ordinance; the document was entered on the agenda for council consideration with a recorded introduction vote noted in the minutes.
Why it matters: If adopted, the changes would increase costs for residents, developers and businesses that interact with borough permitting, licensing and public‑works services. Some increases affect routine household services (pet licenses, trash/sticker fees, meter or connection charges) while others alter the cost structure for development applications and construction permits.
Next steps: The measure was introduced and will return for public hearing and potential final adoption at a subsequent meeting; the minutes list the ordinance as "Introduced: May 4, 2026" and record that it was read by title at this meeting.
