[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of Wyckoff as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Police reports, photographs, fingerprinting, firearms, purchase permit, firearms identification card and fees — See Ch. 54, Art. III.
Public access to records - See Ch. 56.
Affordable housing — See Ch. 77.
[Adopted 4-10-1990 by Ord. No. 1082]
[Amended 6-3-1991 by Ord. No. 1115; 11-18-1991 by Ord. No. 1127; 2-2-1993 by Ord. No. 1154; 12-5-1995 by Ord. No. 1234; 11-2-1998 by Ord. No. 1301; 12-1-1998 by Ord. No. 1305; 10-17-1999 by Ord. No. 1331; 10-17-2000 by Ord. No. 1364; 6-19-2001 by Ord. No. 1394; 10-2-2001 by Ord. No. 1401; 3-4-2003 by Ord. No. 1428]
The fees for certain services of the various departments of municipal government which are not provided for in other chapters of the Township of Wyckoff shall be as follows:
A. 
Services of the Township Clerk:
(1) 
For certifying any public records, such as ordinances, resolutions, minutes and other public documents: $2 per each certification.
(2) 
Landlord/tenant registration: $25 per block/lot.
(3) 
Miscellaneous certification: Each request for written clarification of any sort. This shall include, but not be limited to sewer assessment and/or sewer availability information and letters to the Department of Motor Vehicles regarding livery requirements and shall be $35 each.
(4) 
Notary: no charge to Wyckoff residents; $1 to all others.
(5) 
Fee to utilize the patio area of the Rose Garden and/or the gardens of Wyckoff Nature Sanctuary for photographs: $200 per hour when scheduled and approved through the Township Clerk.
[Added 10-16-2012 by Ord. No. 1700]
(6) 
Fee to utilize the patio area of the Gardens at Wyckoff and nonexclusive use of the parking lot for an up to two-hour period for a wedding ceremony when scheduled through the Township Clerk shall be a nonrefundable fee of $750 with a refundable deposit of $200 if all litter is removed after the ceremony. No more than 25 persons may be present and 12 vehicles parked in the parking lot.
[Added 4-28-2015 by Ord. No. 1769]
B. 
Services of others, fees collected by the Tax Collector:
[Amended 6-20-2005 by Ord. No. 1503; 3-1-2016 by Ord. No. 1792; 8-17-2021 by Ord. No. 1944; 10-5-2021 by Ord. No. 1950]
(1) 
Affordable housing original sales/rental fee (to be paid by developer): $800 per each certification for rental, and $1,000 upon contract signing.
(2) 
Affordable housing resale and rerental fee (to be paid by seller or landlord).
(a) 
Rental: $800 per certification (paid by landlord).
(b) 
Ownership: Part of 3% of sale price fee (paid by seller).
(3) 
Project set-up –affirmative marketing, pricing, etc., per development or per development phase: For projects with five affordable housing units or fewer the fee is $500. For projects with more than five affordable housing units the fee is $1,000 (to be paid by developer).
(4) 
Calculation of affordable housing maximum refinance fee: $175.
(5) 
Certificate of occupancy for affordable housing unit resale: $80.
(6) 
Zoning permits for each business (all business and industrial zones): $75.
(7) 
Certificate of occupancy for each adult condominium unit resale: $80.
(8) 
Miscellaneous certifications. The fee for each request for written certification of any sort shall be $35. This shall include but not be limited to requests for floodplain information, availability of sewers, or inquiries in requirement for certificates of occupancy upon resale of residential property.
(9) 
Fence zoning permit fee for all fences, other than pool fences, up to six feet in height: $22 per $1,000 of value ($40 minimum fee).
(10) 
Shed zoning permit fee for all sheds under 100 square feet: $55.
(11) 
Zoning permit for residential uses: $75.
C. 
Services of the Tax Collector:
(1) 
For the issuance of a duplicate tax or sewer bill: $3 each.
(2) 
Notice of discharge for redeemed tax sale certificate: $25 each.
D. 
Charge for returned checks. For each check returned for insufficient funds or any other reason, payable in cash to the Treasurer: $15.
E. 
Charge for the faxing of public records. The charge for the faxing of public records shall be $1 per page.
F. 
Services of the Police Department.
[Added 6-21-2001 by Ord. No. 1655]
(1) 
Charge for annual traffic safety inspection of a frozen dessert truck: $50.
(2) 
Charges for police escort services requested by any person or persons, company or companies or for corporations for the purpose of protection of money or valuables.
(a) 
For each police escort required within the Township of Wyckoff: $50.
(b) 
For each police escort requiring travel beyond the confines of the Township of Wyckoff to an adjacent municipality: $75.
G. 
Charge for use of the Larkin House:
[Added 4-3-2012 by Ord. No. 1686; amended 3-15-2016 by Ord. No. 1795]
(1) 
After review and approval of application submitted to the Township Clerk; $75 per event, per day.
(2) 
Notwithstanding the above, there shall be no charge for the use of the Larkin House by the Wyckoff Seniors Citizens' Club, the Wyckoff Community Emergency Response Team and/or any other Wyckoff organization as determined by the governing body in its discretion.
Nothing herein shall be construed as requiring the above-named officers/employees to certify or issue any copy of any record unless the same is a public record.
All sums collected under this article shall be considered the funds of the Township of Wyckoff and shall be paid by the respective officers/employees to the Treasurer of the Township within 48 hours of receipt thereof.
In the event that an applicant for any license or permit to be issued by the Township of Wyckoff is the owner of the premises upon which the licensed or permitted activity is to take place, no license or permit shall be issued to such applicant until any and all delinquent property taxes or assessment are paid in full on the property wherein the activity for which the license or permit is sought or is to be conducted. Any outstanding licenses or permits issued by the Township of Wyckoff shall be revoked or suspended in the event that the license or permitted business or activity is conducted upon the premises by the owner thereof and the owner has failed to pay the taxes due on the property for at least three consecutive quarters.
A. 
The provisions of this section shall not apply to or include permits issued to a real estate broker for the erection of a sign on the premises in question to advertise the same for sale or lease, any alcoholic beverage license or permit issued pursuant to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act, N.J.S.A. 33:1-1, et seq.; dog licenses issued pursuant to N.J.S.A. 4:19-15.1 et seq.; and cat licenses issued pursuant to Chapter 106 of the Code of the Township of Wyckoff.
B. 
The provisions of this section shall apply to the issuance of permits or licenses provided for under any section or chapter of the Code of the Township of Wyckoff, including but not limited to building or construction permits, certificates of occupancy and signed permits, unless accepted herein.
[Adopted 11-20-2018 by Ord. No. 1866[1]]
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance superseded former Art. II, Development Fees, adopted 6-1-2010 by Ord. No. 1615.
This article establishes standards for the collection, maintenance, and expenditure of development fees that are consistent with COAH's regulations developed in response to P.L. 2008, c. 46, Sections 8 and 32-38 (N.J.S.A. 52:27D-329.2) and the Statewide Nonresidential-Development Fee Act (N.J.S.A. 40:55D-8.l through 8.7). Fees collected pursuant to this article shall be used for the sole purpose of providing very-low-, low- and moderate-income housing in accordance with a court-approved spending plan.
A. 
This article shall not be effective until approved by the court.
B. 
The Township of Wyckoff shall not spend development fees until the court has approved a plan for spending such fees (spending plan).
The following terms, as used in this article, shall have the following meanings:
AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT
A development included in the Housing Element and Fair Share Plan or developed in accordance with the mandatory set-aside regulations in the Affordable Housing Ordinance,[1] and includes, but is not limited to, an inclusionary development, a municipal construction project or a 100% affordable housing development.
COAH or the COUNCIL
The New Jersey Council on Affordable Housing established under the Fair Housing Act.
DEVELOPER
The legal or beneficial owner or owners of a lot or of any land proposed to be included in a proposed development, including the holder of an option or contract to purchase, or other person having an enforceable proprietary interest in such land.
DEVELOPMENT FEE
Money paid by a developer for the improvement of property as authorized by Holmdel Builder's Association v. Holmdel Township, 121 N.J. 550 (1990) and the Fair Housing Act of 1985, N.J.S.A. 52:27d-301, et seq., as subsequently regulated by applicable COAH Rules.
EQUALIZED ASSESSED VALUE
The assessed value of a property divided by the current average ratio of assessed to true value for the municipality in which the property is situated, as determined in accordance with Sections 1, 5, and 6 of P.L. 1973, c.123 (N.J.S.A. 54:1-35a through N.J.S.A. 54:1-35c).
GREEN BUILDING STRATEGIES
Those strategies that minimize the impact of development on the environment, and enhance the health, safety and well-being of residents by producing durable, low-maintenance, resource-efficient housing while making optimum use of existing infrastructure and community services.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 77, Affordable Housing.
A. 
Imposition of fees.
(1) 
Within the Township of Wyckoff, all residential developers, except for developers of the types of developments specifically exempted below and developers of developments that include affordable housing, shall pay a fee of 1.5% of the equalized assessed value for all new residential development except where an increased residential density is permitted (see Subsection A(2) below). Development fees shall also be imposed and collected when an additional dwelling unit is added to an existing residential structure (but no increase in the permitted density is involved); in such cases, the fee shall be calculated based on the increase in the equalized assessed value of the property due to the additional dwelling unit.
(2) 
When an increase in residential density is permitted pursuant to a "d" variance granted under N.J.S.A. 40:55D-70d(5), developers shall be required to pay a "bonus" development fee of 6% of the equalized assessed value for each additional unit that may be realized, except that this provision shall not be applicable to a development that will include affordable housing. If the zoning on a site has changed during the two-year period preceding the filing of such a variance application, the base density for the purposes of calculating the bonus development fee shall be the highest density permitted by right during the two-year period preceding the filing of the variance application.
B. 
Eligible exactions, ineligible exactions and exemptions for residential developments.
(1) 
Affordable housing developments and/or developments where the developer has made a payment in lieu of on-site construction of affordable units, if permitted by ordinance or by agreement with the Township of Wyckoff, shall be exempt from the payment of development fees.
(2) 
Developments that have received preliminary or final site plan approval prior to the adoption of this article shall be exempt from the payment of development fees under this article (but shall nevertheless be subject to the payment of development fees in accordance with the development fee ordinance applicable at the time of such approval), unless the developer seeks a substantial change in the original approval. Where site plan approval is not applicable, the issuance of a zoning permit and/or construction permit shall be synonymous with preliminary or final site plan approval for the purpose of determining the right to an exemption. In all cases, the applicable fee percentage shall be determined based upon the development fee ordinance in effect on the date that the construction permit is issued.
(3) 
Development fees shall be imposed and collected whenever an existing structure undergoes a change to a more intense use, is demolished and replaced (except as provided at Subsection B(4) below) or is expanded, if the expansion is not otherwise exempt from the development fee requirement. The development fee shall be calculated on the increase in the equalized assessed value of the improved or replacement structure as compared to the previous structure.
(4) 
Homes replaced as a result of a natural disaster (such as a fire or flood) shall be exempt from the payment of a development fee.
A. 
Imposition of fees.
(1) 
Within all zoning districts, nonresidential developers, except for developers of the types of developments specifically exempted below, shall pay a fee equal to 2.5% of the equalized assessed value of the land and improvements, for all new nonresidential construction on an unimproved lot or lots.
(2) 
Within all zoning districts, nonresidential developers, except for developers of the types of developments specifically exempted below, shall also pay a fee equal to 2.5% of the increase in equalized assessed value resulting from any additions to existing structures to be used for nonresidential purposes.
(3) 
Development fees shall be imposed and collected when an existing structure is demolished and replaced. The development fee of 2.5% shall be calculated on the difference between the equalized assessed value of the pre-existing land and improvements and the equalized assessed value of the newly improved structure, i.e., land and improvements, and such calculation shall be made at the time a final certificate of occupancy is issued. If the calculation required under this section results in a negative number, the nonresidential development fee shall be zero.
B. 
Eligible exactions, ineligible exactions and exemptions for non-residential development.
(1) 
The nonresidential portion of a mixed-use inclusionary or market rate development shall be subject to a 2.5% development fee, unless otherwise exempted below.
(2) 
The 2.5% development fee shall not apply to an increase in equalized assessed value resulting from alterations, change in use within the existing footprint, reconstruction, renovations and repairs.
(3) 
Nonresidential developments shall be exempt from the payment of nonresidential development fees in accordance with the exemptions required pursuant to the Statewide Nonresidential Development Fee Act (N.J.S.A. 40:55D-8.1 through 8.7), as specified in Form N-RDF "State of New Jersey Nonresidential Development Certification/Exemption." Any exemption claimed by a developer shall be substantiated by that developer.
(4) 
A developer of a nonresidential development exempted from the nonresidential development fee pursuant to the Statewide Nonresidential Development Fee Act shall be subject to the fee at such time as the basis for the exemption no longer applies, and shall make the payment of the nonresidential development fee, in that event, within three years after that event or after the issuance of the final certificate of occupancy for the nonresidential development, whichever is later.
(5) 
If a property which was exempted from the collection of a nonresidential development fee thereafter ceases to be exempt from property taxation, the owner of the property shall remit the fees required pursuant to this section within 45 days of the termination of the property tax exemption. Unpaid nonresidential development fees under these circumstances may be enforceable by the Township of Wyckoff as a lien against the real property of the owner.
A. 
Upon the granting of a preliminary, final or other applicable approval for a development, the approving authority or entity shall notify or direct its staff to notify the construction official responsible for the issuance of a construction permit.
B. 
For nonresidential developments only, the developer shall also be provided with a copy of Form N-RDF "State of New Jersey Nonresidential Development Certification/ Exemption" to be completed as per the instructions provided. The developer of a nonresidential development shall complete Form N-RDF as per the instructions provided. The construction official shall verify the information submitted by the nonresidential developer as per the instructions provided in the Form N-RDF. The Tax Assessor shall verify exemptions and prepare estimated and final assessments as per the instructions provided in Form N-RDF.
C. 
The construction official responsible for the issuance of a construction permit shall notify the Township Tax Assessor of the issuance of the first construction permit for a development which is subject to a development fee.
D. 
Within 90 days of receipt of such notification, the Township Tax Assessor shall prepare an estimate of the equalized assessed value of the development based on the plans filed.
E. 
The construction official responsible for the issuance of a final certificate of occupancy shall notify the Township Tax Assessor of any and all requests for the scheduling of a final inspection on a property which is subject to a development fee.
F. 
Within 10 business days of a request for the scheduling of a final inspection, the Township Tax Assessor shall confirm or modify the previously estimated equalized assessed value of the improvements associated with the development; calculate the development fee; and thereafter notify the developer of the amount of the fee.
G. 
Should the Township of Wyckoff fail to determine or notify the developer of the amount of the development fee within 10 business days of the request for final inspection, the developer may estimate the amount due and pay that estimated amount consistent with the dispute process set forth in Subsection b. of Section 37 of P.L. 2008, c.46 (N.J.S.A. 40:55D-8.6).
H. 
Except as provided in § 113-9A(3) hereinabove, 50% of the initially calculated development fee shall be collected at the time of issuance of the construction permit. The remaining portion shall be collected at the time of issuance of the certificate of occupancy. The developer shall be responsible for paying the difference between the fee calculated at the time of issuance of the construction permit and that determined at the time of issuance of the certificate of occupancy.
I. 
Appeal of development fees
(1) 
A developer may challenge residential development fees imposed by filing a challenge with the County Board of Taxation. Pending a review and determination by the Board, collected fees shall be placed in an interest bearing escrow account by the Township of Wyckoff. Appeals from a determination of the Board may be made to the tax court in accordance with the provisions of the State Tax Uniform Procedure Law, N.J.R.S. 54:48-1, et seq., within 90 days after the date of such determination. Interest earned on amounts escrowed shall be credited to the prevailing party.
(2) 
A developer may challenge nonresidential development fees imposed by filing a challenge with the Director of the Division of Taxation. Pending a review and determination by the Director, which shall be made within 45 days of receipt of the challenge, collected fees shall be placed in an interest bearing escrow account by the Township of Wyckoff. Appeals from a determination of the Director may be made to the tax court in accordance with the provisions of the State Tax Uniform Procedure Law, N.J.R.S. 54:48-1, et seq., within 90 days after the date of such determination. Interest earned on amounts escrowed shall be credited to the prevailing party.
A. 
The Township of Wyckoff has established a separate, interest-bearing Affordable Housing Trust Fund that is maintained by the Chief Financial Officer of the Township of Wyckoff for the purpose of depositing development fees collected from residential and nonresidential developers and proceeds from the sale of units with extinguished controls.
B. 
The following additional funds shall be deposited in the Affordable Housing Trust Fund and shall at all times be identifiable by source and amount:
(1) 
Payments in lieu of on-site construction of a fraction of an affordable unit, where permitted by ordinance or by agreement with the Township of Wyckoff;
(2) 
Funds contributed by developers to make 10% of the adaptable entrances in a townhouse or other multistory attached dwelling unit development accessible;
(3) 
Rental income from municipally operated units, if applicable;
(4) 
Repayments from affordable housing program loans, if applicable;
(5) 
Recapture funds, if applicable;
(6) 
Proceeds from the sale of affordable units, if applicable; and
(7) 
Any other funds collected in connection with Wyckoff's affordable housing program.
C. 
In the event of a failure by the Township of Wyckoff to comply with trust fund monitoring and reporting requirements or to submit accurate monitoring reports; or a failure to comply with the conditions of the judgment of compliance or a revocation of the judgment of compliance; or a failure to implement the approved spending plan and to expend funds within the applicable required time period as set forth in In re Tp. of Monroe, 442 N.J. Super. 565 (Law Div. 2015) (aff'd 442 N.J. Super. 563); or the expenditure of funds on activities not approved by the court; or for other good cause demonstrating the unapproved use(s) of funds, the court may authorize the State of New Jersey, Department of Community Affairs, Division of Local Government Services (LGS), to direct the manner in which the funds in the Affordable Housing Trust Fund shall be expended, provided that all such funds shall, to the extent practicable, be utilized for affordable housing programs within the Township of Wyckoff, or, if not practicable, then within the county or the housing region.
(1) 
Any party may bring a motion before the Superior court presenting evidence of such condition(s), and the Court may, after considering the evidence and providing the municipality a reasonable opportunity to respond and/or to remedy the noncompliant condition(s), and upon a finding of continuing and deliberate noncompliance, determine to authorize LGS to direct the expenditure of funds in the Trust Fund. The court may also impose such other remedies as may be reasonable and appropriate to the circumstances.
D. 
Interest accrued in the Affordable Housing Trust Fund shall only be used to fund eligible affordable housing activities approved by the court.
A. 
The expenditure of all funds shall conform to a spending plan approved by the court.· Funds deposited in the Affordable Housing Trust Fund may be used for any activity approved by the court to address the Township of Wyckoff's fair share obligation and may be set up as a grant or revolving loan program. Such activities include, but are not limited to: preservation or purchase of housing for the purpose of maintaining or implementing affordability controls; housing rehabilitation; new construction of affordable housing units and related costs; accessory apartments; a market to affordable program; regional housing partnership programs; conversion of existing nonresidential buildings to create new affordable units; green building strategies designed to be cost saving and in accordance with accepted national or state standards; purchase of land for affordable housing; improvement of land to be used for affordable housing; extensions or improvements of roads and infrastructure to affordable housing sites; financial assistance designed to increase affordability; administration necessary for implementation of the Housing Element and Fair Share Plan, subject to applicable restrictions; and/or any other activity permitted by the court and specified in the approved spending plan.
B. 
Funds shall not be expended to reimburse the Township of Wyckoff for past housing activities.
C. 
At least 30% of all development fees collected and interest earned on such fees shall be used to provide affordability assistance to low- and moderate-income households in affordable units included in the municipal Fair Share Plan. One-third of the affordability assistance portion of development fees collected shall be used to provide affordability assistance to those households earning 30% or less of the median income for Housing Region 3, in which Wyckoff is located.
(1) 
Affordability assistance programs may include down payment assistance, security deposit assistance, low interest loans, rental assistance, assistance with homeowners association or condominium fees and special assessments, and assistance with emergency repairs. The specific programs to be used for affordability assistance shall be identified and described within the spending plan.
(2) 
Affordability assistance to households earning 30% or less of median income may include buying down the cost of low- or moderate-income units in the municipal Fair Share Plan to make them affordable to households earning 30% or less of median income. The specific programs to be used for very-low-income affordability assistance shall be identified and described within the spending plan.
(3) 
Payments in lieu of constructing affordable housing units on site, if permitted by ordinance or by agreement with the Township of Wyckoff, and funds from the sale of units with extinguished controls shall be exempt from the affordability assistance requirement.
D. 
The Township of Wyckoff may contract with a private or public entity to administer any part of its Housing Element and Fair Share Plan, including its programs for affordability assistance.
E. 
No more than 20% of all revenues collected from development fees may be expended on administration, including, but not limited to, salaries and benefits for municipal employees or consultants' fees necessary to develop or implement a new construction program, prepare a Housing Element and Fair Share Plan, and/or administer an affirmative marketing program or a rehabilitation program.
(1) 
In the case of a rehabilitation program, the administrative costs of the rehabilitation program shall be included as part of the 20% of collected development fees that may be expended on administration.
(2) 
Administrative funds may be used for income qualification of households, monitoring the turnover of sale and· rental units, and compliance with COAH's monitoring requirements. Legal or other fees related to litigation opposing affordable housing sites or related to securing or appealing a judgment from the court are not eligible uses of the Affordable Housing Trust Fund.
The Township of Wyckoff shall provide annual reporting of Affordable Housing Trust Fund activity to the State of New Jersey, Department of Community Affairs, Council on Affordable Housing or Local Government Services or other entity designated by the State of New Jersey, with a copy provided to Fair Share Housing Center and posted on the municipal website, using forms developed for this purpose by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, Council on Affordable Housing or Local Government Services. The reporting shall include an accounting of all Affordable Housing Trust Fund activity, including the sources and amounts of funds collected and the amounts and purposes for which any funds have been expended. Such reporting shall include an accounting of development fees collected from residential and nonresidential developers, payments in lieu of constructing affordable units on site (if permitted by ordinance or by agreement with the Township), funds from the sale of units with extinguished controls, barrier free escrow funds, rental income from Township owned affordable housing units, repayments from affordable housing program loans, and any other funds collected in connection with Wyckoff's affordable housing programs, as well as an accounting of the expenditures of revenues and implementation of the spending plan approved by the court.
A. 
The ability for the Township of Wyckoff to impose, collect and expend development fees shall expire with the expiration of the repose period covered by its judgment of compliance unless the Township of Wyckoff has first filed an adopted Housing Element and Fair Share Plan with the court or with a designated state administrative agency, has petitioned for a judgment of compliance from the court or for substantive certification or its equivalent from a state administrative agency authorized to approve and administer municipal affordable housing compliance and has received approval of its development fee ordinance from the entity that will be reviewing and approving the Housing Element and Fair Share Plan.
B. 
If the Township of Wyckoff fails to renew its ability to impose and collect development fees prior to the expiration of its judgment of compliance, it may be subject to forfeiture of any or all funds remaining within its Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Any funds so forfeited shall be deposited into the ''New Jersey Affordable Housing Trust Fund" established pursuant to Section 20 of P.L. 1985, c. 222 (N.J.S.A. 52:27D-320).
C. 
The Township of Wyckoff shall not impose a residential development fee on a development that receives preliminary or final site plan approval after the expiration of its judgment of compliance, nor shall the Township of Wyckoff retroactively impose a development fee on such a development. The Township of Wyckoff also shall not expend any of its collected development fees after the expiration of its judgment of compliance.