The Code Enforcement Official, as defined in §
183-7, shall have the authority to interpret, implement, and enforce the provisions of this chapter and, with the approval of the Township Manager, to adopt and promulgate rules and procedures or designate special requirements applicable because of climatic or other specific conditions.
The Code Enforcement Official and Code Enforcement
Inspector shall keep official records of all business and activities
relating to the administration and enforcement of this chapter. Such
records shall be retained as long as the building or structure to
which such records relate remains in existence, unless otherwise provided
for by other regulations.
When the Code Enforcement Inspector finds a
structure or equipment to be unsafe or unlawful or when he finds a
structure to be unfit for human occupancy, he shall report such condition
to the Code Enforcement Official, who shall then declare such structure
or equipment unsafe pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
A. Whenever the Code Enforcement Official has declared a structure or equipment unsafe, unfit for human habitation, or unlawful under the provisions of this section, he shall serve notice on the owner and/or person responsible for the structure or equipment in accordance with §
183-12B, except as otherwise set forth herein.
B. In conjunction with serving notice, the Code Enforcement
Official shall post on the premises or equipment a placard bearing
the word "Unsafe" and a statement of the penalties provided for occupying
the premises, operating the equipment, or removing the placard. The
placard shall remain in place until such time as all the conditions
that prompted its having been posted have been corrected. Any person
who defaces or removes such a placard without the approval of the
Code Enforcement Official shall be subject to the penalties provided
by this chapter.
C. Any occupied structure declared as unsafe and placarded
shall be vacated as ordered by the Code Enforcement Official. Additionally,
any equipment declared unsafe and placarded shall not be operated
as ordered by the Code Enforcement Official. Any person who shall
occupy a placarded structure or premises or shall operate placarded
equipment, and any owner or any person responsible for said premises
who shall let anyone occupy a placarded structure or premises or operate
placarded equipment shall be liable for the penalties provided by
this chapter.
D. If a structure has been vacant and/or is unfit for
human habitation and occupancy for 60 days, and is not in danger of
structural collapse, the Code Enforcement Official is authorized to
post a placard of unsafe structure on the premises and order the structure
to be closed and secured so as not to be an attractive nuisance. Upon
failure of the owner to close and secure the premises within the time
specified in the order, the Code Enforcement Official shall cause
the premises to be closed and secured through any available public
agency or by contract or arrangement by private persons and the cost
thereof shall be charged against the real estate upon which the structure
is located and shall be a lien upon such real estate and may be collected
by any other legal resource. All such structures must be closed and
secured in accordance with the standards set forth by the United States
Department of Housing and Urban Development.
When, in the judgment of the Construction Official,
any structure is so old, dilapidated, or out of repair as to be dangerous,
unsafe, unsanitary, or otherwise unfit for human habitation or occupancy
to such an extent that it is unreasonable to repair the structure,
or where there has been a cessation of normal construction of any
structure for a period of more than two years, he shall order the
owner of the premises upon which such structure is located to demolish
and remove such structure within a reasonable time.
A. All demolition notices and orders shall be issued in compliance with §
183-12B.
B. Any structure ordered to be demolished shall be placarded as described in §
183-13B.
C. If the owner of a premises fails to comply with a
demolition order within the time prescribed, the Construction Official
shall cause the structure to be demolished and removed, either through
an available public agency or by contract or arrangement with private
persons, and the cost of such demolition and removal shall be charged
against the real estate upon which the structure is located and shall
be a lien upon such real estate.
D. When any structure has been ordered demolished and
removed, the Township Council or any designated Township official
under said contractor arrangement aforesaid shall have the right to
sell the salvage and valuable materials at the highest price obtainable.
The net proceeds of such sale, after deducting the expenses of such
demolition and removal, shall be promptly remitted with a report of
such sale or transaction, including the items of expense and the amounts
deducted, for the person who is entitled thereto, subject to any order
of a court. If such a surplus does not remain to be turned over, the
report shall so state.