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Township of North Brunswick, NJ
Middlesex County
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
A. 
The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
ADJOINING GRADE ELEVATION
The average elevation of the final grade adjoining all exterior walls of a building, calculated from grade elevations taken at intervals of 10 feet around the perimeter of the building.
ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY
The Department of Community Development of the Township of North Brunswick, which is authorized to administer the provisions of this chapter.
AGENT
A person who is legally empowered to act for the owner of property by the expressed or implied authority of the owner.
ALTERATION
As applied to a building or structure, means a change or rearrangement in the structural parts or in the egress facilities of any such building or structure; any enlargement thereof, whether by extension on any side or by any increase in height; or the moving of such building or structure from one location or position to another.
ANSI
The American National Standards Inc.
APPLIANCE
A device which utilizes fuel or other energy to produce heat, power refrigeration, air conditioning or perform a specific mechanical function, including but not limited to washers, dryers, dishwashers, refrigerators etc.
APPROVED
Approved by the Department of Community Development of North Brunswick Township or its duly authorized representative.
ARCHITECT
A person registered to practice the profession of architecture under the laws of the State of New Jersey.
ASHRAE
The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers.
ATTIC
The space between the ceiling beams of the top story and the roof rafters.
BASEMENT
The portion of a building which is partly below and partly above grade and has at least 1/2 its ceiling height above grade.
BASIN
A plumbing fixture located in a bathroom or in close proximity thereto and used exclusively for sanitation operations.
BATHROOM
Any enclosed space containing one or more bathtubs or showers, or both, and which also may contain water closets, lavatories or fixtures serving similar purposes.
BOCA
Building Officials and Code Administrators International.
BUILDING
A structure built, erected and framed of component structural parts designed for the housing, shelter, enclosure and support of individuals, animals or property of any kind which is enclosed within exterior walls on all sides.
BUYER
A person or persons who buy property or a part thereof, including a single-family home, a town home or a condominium unit.
CEILING HEIGHT
Vertical distance between the finished floor and the finished ceiling.
CELLAR
That portion of a building which is partly or completely below grade and has more than 1/2 its ceiling height below grade.
CENTRAL HEATING
The provision of heat throughout a building by means of one or more heating units or furnaces centrally located in a building, rather than by means of individual heating units or furnaces located in some or all of the units of dwelling space in said building.
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE
The certificate provided for in this chapter.
CHIMNEY
A vertical enclosure containing one or more flues used to remove hot gases from burning fuel, refuse or from industrial processes.
COMMON AREAS
All areas accessible to and which may be utilized by either occupants of a building or the general public, or both, including but not limited to vestibules, hallways, stairways, landings, and common space and occupiable room or space, as hereinafter defined, which is not part of any dwelling unit. This definition shall also mean and include any area accessible to the owner or manager or any person employed in the maintenance of the building which is not part of any dwelling unit.
COMMUNITY ROOM
An enclosed area accessible to occupants of the complex or to the general public, including but not limited to common spaces and habitable rooms used for assembly, recreation or similar purposes.
CONCURRENT LOADS
Two or more elements of dead or live load that, for purposes of design, are considered to act simultaneously.
CONDOMINIUM
The form of ownership of real property under a master deed providing for ownership by one or more owners of units, together with an undivided interest in common elements appurtenant to each such unit.
CONSTRUCTION
Any or all work or operations necessary or incidental to the erection, demolition, assembling, installing, or equipping of buildings, or any alterations and operations incidental thereto. The term "construction" shall include land clearing, grading, excavating and filling. It shall also mean the finished product of any such work or operations.
CONSTRUCTION CLASS (GROUP)
The category in which a building or space is classified based on the fire resistance ratings of its construction elements as set forth in the current edition of the BOCA National Building Code.
COOPERATIVE
A housing corporation or association which entitles the holder of a share or membership interest thereof to possess and occupy for dwelling purposes a house, apartment or other structure owned or leased by said corporation or association, or to lease or purchase a dwelling constructed or to be constructed by said corporation or association.
CORRIDOR
An enclosed passage providing a means of access from rooms or spaces to an exit.
COURT
An open, uncovered, and unoccupied space on the same lot with a building.
CRAWL SPACE
An unoccupiable area in a building not more than 48 inches in height.
DEAD END
A portion of a corridor in which the travel to an exit is in one direction only.
DEMOLITION
The dismantling or razing of all or part of a building, including operations incidental thereto.
DEPARTMENT
The Department of Community Development of the Township of North Brunswick.
DESIGN WINTER CONDITIONS
The design temperature at the nearest locality reported in the latest edition of the Handbook of the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).
DETERIORATION
Decay, damage, loss of material or ability to function as intended caused by exposure to the elements.
DOUBLE-KEYED DEADBOLT LOCK
Any locking device which requires a key to open from either side.
DRAINAGE SYSTEM
All the piping within public or private premises which conveys sewage, rainwater, or other liquid wastes to a legal point of disposal, but shall not include the mains of public sewer system or private or public sewage treatment or disposal plant.
DUCT (VENTILATION)
A pipe, tube, shaft, conduit, or an enclosed space within a wall or structure, used for conveying air.
DWELLING
Any building or structure or part thereof used for human habitation or designed to be so used, containing one or more dwelling units, including any appurtenances belonging thereto or usually enjoyed therewith.
DWELLING UNIT
A room or rooms, or suite or apartment, that are occupied or intended to be occupied for sleeping or dwelling purposes by one or more persons.
EGRESS or MEANS OF EGRESS
A continuous and unobstructed path of travel from any point in a building or structure to a public way and consists of three separate and distinct parts: the exit access; the exit; and the exit discharge. A means of egress comprises the vertical and horizontal means of travel and shall include intervening room spaces, doors, hallways, corridors, passageways, balconies, ramps, stairs, enclosures, lobbies, escalators, horizontal exits, courts, aisles and yards.
ELECTRICALLY SUPERVISED
As applied to a control circuit, means that in the event of interruption of the current supply or in the event of a break in the circuit, a specific signal will be given.
ELEVATOR
A hoisting and lowering mechanism equipped with a car or platform that moves in guides in a substantially vertical direction and that serves two or more floors of a building.
EMANCIPATED MINOR
Any person under the age of 18 who is gainfully employed and who is self-supporting or who is married to a spouse who is gainfully employed and who supports the said minor, or who is a student living away from home and in regular attendance in an institution of higher learning.
EMERGENCY
A situation in which there is reasonable cause to believe that an immediate danger to life, limb or property exists, or any situation deemed to be an emergency by the Inspector.
ENGINEER
A person licensed to practice the profession of engineering under the law of the State of New Jersey.
EROSION
The detachment and movement of soil or rock fragments by water, wind, ice or gravity.
EXTERMINATION
The process of controlling and eliminating insects, rodents or other pests by eliminating their harborage places, by removing or making inaccessible materials that may serve as their food, by poisoning, spraying, fumigation, trapping, or by any other recognized and lawful pest elimination method.
FIRE RESISTANCE RATING
The time in hours or fractions thereof that materials or their assemblies will withstand fire exposure as determined by a fire test made in conformity with recognized standards.
FIRE SEPARATION WALL
A fire-resistance-rated assembly of materials having protected openings which is designed to restrict the spread of fire.
FIRE WALL
A fire-resistance-rated wall, having no unprotected openings, which restricts the spread of fire and extends continuously from the foundation to or through the roof.
FLOOR AREA
The projected horizontal area enclosed inside of walls, partitions, or other enclosed construction.
FLUE
An enclosed passageway in a chimney to carry products of combustion to the outer air.
FOOTING AREA
A foundation element consisting of an enlargement of a foundation pier or foundation wall, wherein the soil materials along the sides of and underlying the element may be visually inspected prior to and during its construction.
FOUNDATION (BUILDING)
A construction that transfers building loads to the support soil.
FOUNDATION WALL
A wall extending below grade.
FRESH AIR
Outdoor air.
GARBAGE
Rubbish and refuse as defined in this chapter.
GRADE
A reference plane representing the average of finished ground level adjoining the building at all exterior walls.
GRADE PASSAGEWAY
A horizontal extension of a vertical exit or a passage leading from a yard or court to an open exterior space.
GUEST
Any person who occupies a unit of dwelling space either as a temporary occupant or transient in an establishment holding itself out as serving transients or on a temporary or permanent basis in an establishment providing housekeeping or dining services on a regular basis to occupants.
HABITABLE ROOM
A residential room or space, having an area exceeding 59 square feet in which the ordinary functions of domestic life are carried on and which includes bedrooms, living rooms, studies, recreation rooms, kitchens, dining rooms, and other similar spaces, but does not include closets, halls, stairs, laundry rooms, or bathrooms.
HAZARD
A condition which because of faulty construction or maintenance of the premises creates significant and recognizable danger or risk to the health and safety of persons on or near the premises.
HEIGHT (BUILDINGS)
The vertical distance from the curb level to the highest point of the roof beams in the case of flat roofs or to a point at the average height of the gable in the case of roofs having a pitch of more than one foot in 4 1/2 feet, except that where the curb level has not been legally established, or where every part of the building is set back more than 25 feet from a street line, the height shall be measured from the adjoining grade elevation.
HOTEL
Any building, including but not limited to any related structure, accessory building and land appurtenant thereto, and any part thereof, which contains 10 or more dwelling units or has sleeping facilities for 25 or more persons and is kept, used, maintained, advertised as, or held out to be a place where sleeping or dwelling accommodations are available to guests. "Hotel" also means any facility that is commonly regarded as a hotel, motor hotel, motel or established guesthouse in the community in which it is located. "Hotel" does not include those facilities that are excluded by this chapter.
IBC
International Building Code.
INFESTATION
The presence within a hotel or multiple dwelling of any insects, rodents or other pests. Infestation shall include breeding areas on the exterior of the premises so located that products thereof may spread to the interior of any building subject to these regulations.
INSPECTOR
All employees designated to serve as officers authorized to exercise powers prescribed by this chapter.
JANITORIAL SERVICES
The cleaning and maintaining of common areas, including the making of minor repairs, attendance to the furnishing of heat and hot water where the owner is responsible for operation and maintenance thereof, the removal of garbage, refuse and rubbish from the premises, and the removal of snow, ice, dirt, and other matter creating obstructions or hazards from pedestrian paths, sidewalks and gutters.
KITCHEN
Any room or part of a room used for cooking or the preparation of food.
LEADER
A vertical drainage pipe for conveying stormwater from roof or gutter drains to a building house storm drain, building house drain (combined) or other means of disposal. The leader shall include the horizontal pipe to a single roof drain or gutter drain.
LIVE LOAD
All occupants, materials, equipment, constructions or other elements of weight supported in, on or by a building that will or are likely to be moved or relocated during the expected life of the building.
LOCAL ENFORCING AGENCY
The local fire marshal authorized by municipal ordinance to enforce the Uniform Fire Code for North Brunswick Township.
MAINTENANCE PERSON
A person employed to provide janitorial services, make minor repairs, clean common areas, prepare units for reoccupancy and provide twenty-four-hour emergency service.
MANAGING AGENT/INDIVIDUAL REPRESENTATIVE
The person who may be contacted at any time and who has authority to make emergency decisions concerning the building and any repair thereto or expenditure in connection therewith.
MECHANICAL VENTILATION
The process of introducing outdoor air into or removing vitiated air from a building or room by mechanical means. A mechanical ventilating system may include air heating, air cooling or air-conditioning components.
MINOR
Any person who is under the age of 18.
MULTIPLE DWELLING
Any building or structure and any land appurtenant thereto, and any portion thereof, in which three or more dwelling units are occupied or intended to be occupied by three or more persons living independently of each other. "Multiple dwelling" also means any group of 10 or more buildings on a single parcel of land or on contiguous parcels under common ownership, in each of which two dwelling units are occupied or intended to be occupied by two persons or households living independently of each other, and any land appurtenant thereto, and any portion thereof. "Multiple dwelling" does not include those buildings and structures that are excluded by statute.
MUTUAL HOUSING CORPORATION
A not-for-profit corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of New Jersey on a mutual or cooperative basis within the scope of the Lanham War Housing Act, 42 U.S.C. § 1501 et seq., which acquired a National Defense Housing Project pursuant to said act.
NATURAL VENTILATION
Ventilation by opening to outer air through windows, skylights, doors, louvers or stacks with or without wind-driven devices.
NEW JERSEY UNIFORM CONSTRUCTION CODE
N.J.S.A. 52:27D-119 et seq., N.J.A.C. 5:23-1.1 et seq., and subcodes adopted pursuant thereto.
NFPA
The National Fire Protection Association.
OCCUPANCY
The purpose or activity for which a building or space is used or is designed or intended to be used.
OCCUPANT
Any person or persons, including guests, in actual physical possession or occupancy of a unit of dwelling space on a regular basis. For purposes of assigning specific duties or responsibilities, the term "occupant," unless the text indicates otherwise, shall mean the tenant, lessee, head of the family or household, or other adult person or emancipated minor assuming basic responsibility for the continued renting or occupancy of the dwelling space.
OCCUPIABLE ROOM
A room or space, other than a habitable room, designed for human occupancy or use, in which persons may remain for a period of time for rest, amusement, dining, shopping, storing goods or other similar purposes or in which persons may be engaged at work.
ORDER
A directive issued by an authorized agency mandating action or forbearance.
OWNER
Any person, firm or corporation or other legal entity who has legal title to any dwelling or dwelling unit, with or without accompanying actual possession thereof; or shall have charge, care or control of any dwelling or dwelling unit as owner, executor, administrator, administrative trustee or guardian of the estate of the owner. Any person representing the "owner" shall be his agent and bound to comply with the provisions of this chapter and the rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto, to the same extent as if he were the owner. Usage of the term "owner" herein shall include and encompass the owner's agent and employee.
PARTITION
A vertical unit or assembly of materials that separates one space from another within any story of a building.
PERSON
Any individual, corporation, association, or other entity.
PLUMBING
The practice, materials, and fixtures used in the installation, maintenance, extension, and alteration of all piping, fixtures, appliances, equipment and appurtenances in connection with any of the following: sanitary drainage or storm drainage facilities, the venting system and the public or private water supply systems, within or adjacent to any building; also, the practice and materials used in the installation, maintenance, extension or alteration of stormwater, liquid waste, or sewerage, and water supply systems of any premises and their connection with any point or public disposal or other acceptable terminal.
PLUMBING FIXTURES
Installed receptacles, devices, or appliances that are supplied with water or which receive or discharge liquids or liquid-borne waste.
POTABLE WATER
Water free from impurities present in amounts sufficient to cause disease or harmful physiological effects. Its bacteriological and chemical quality shall conform to the requirements of the Department of Health.
PREMISES
Land, improvements thereon, or any part thereof.
PROJECT/RENTAL COMPLEX
A group of buildings subject to this chapter that are represented to be under common or substantially common ownership; that are on a single lot or contiguous lots; and are named, designated or advertised as a common entity. Lots shall be considered to be contiguous even if they are separated by a public right-of-way.
PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
Any equipment, device, system or apparatus required or permitted to be constructed or installed for the protection of occupants, intended occupants or the general public.
RECYCLABLE ITEMS
Those items listed in the ordinances of the Township of North Brunswick.
[1]
REFUSE
All putrescible solid waste (except body waste), including but not limited to garbage, rubbish, ashes, street cleanings, dead animals, abandoned automobiles, and solid market and industrial wastes.
REGULATIONS
The rules contained in this chapter.
REPAIR
The replacement of existing work with equivalent materials for the purpose of its maintenance, but not including additional work that would affect safety, or affect required exit facilities, or a vital element of an elevator, plumbing, gas piping, wiring, ventilation, or heating installation, or any work that would be in violation of a provision of this chapter or any other law governing building construction.
REQUIRED
Required by the provisions of these regulations.
ROOF
The topmost slab or deck of a building, either flat or sloping with its supporting members, not including vertical support.
ROOMING UNIT
A unit of dwelling space located within a multiple dwelling or a hotel, forming a single habitable unit used or intended to be used for living and sleeping, but not for cooking or eating purposes.
RUBBISH
Nonputrescible solid waste consisting of both combustible and noncombustible waste, such as paper, wrappings, cigarettes, tin cans, yard clippings, leaves, wood, glass, bedding, crockery and similar materials.
SAFETY
The quality or condition of being safe and freedom from danger, injury or damage; security.
SANITARY SYSTEM
Either the public system for disposal of sewage from the premises or, in the absence of such system, any private system available to the premises for the disposal of sewage.
SELF-CLOSING
As applied to an opening protective, means a door, window, damper, or other device and its assembly that is normally kept in a closed position and that is equipped with an approved device to insure immediate closing after having been opened for use.
SEWAGE
Any liquid waste containing animal or vegetable matter in suspension or solution, and may include liquids containing chemicals in solution.
SHAFT
A vertical, inclined or offset passage, duct or hoistway, penetrating through two or more floors of a building or through a floor and roof, for the transmission of light, air, materials or persons, or the passage of pipes or other mechanical facilities.
SINK
A plumbing fixture located in a kitchen area and used exclusively for food preparation operations.
STORY
That portion of a building that is between a floor level and the next higher level or roof above.
STREET
A thoroughfare dedicated or devoted to public use by legal mapping or other lawful means.
STRUCTURE
An assembly of materials forming a construction for occupancy or use, including, among others: buildings, stands, tents, reviewing stands, platforms, stagings, observation towers, radio towers, tanks, trestles, open sheds, coal pockets, shelters, fences and display signs.
SUPPLIED
Paid for, furnished or provided by or under the control of the owner or his agent.
TRANSIENT
As applied to occupancy, means occupancy for not more than 90 days by a person having a principal residence elsewhere.
TYPES OF DWELLINGS
(1) 
APARTMENTA room or suite of rooms to live in for which one pays rent. An apartment may be located in a building where all units are apartments or one or more dwelling units located in a condominium building or a separate unit of a single-family dwelling.
(2) 
CONDOMINIUMA single dwelling unit located in an apartment-type building.
(3) 
TOWNHOMEA single dwelling unit attached to similar dwelling units.
UNEMANCIPATED MINOR
Any person under the age of 18 who is not an "emancipated minor" as defined herein.
UNIT OF DWELLING SPACE
See "dwelling unit" in this chapter.
USABLE FLOOR AREA
That part of the floor area within a unit of dwelling space that can be considered usable for general living purposes, excluding areas devoted to built-in equipment, such as wardrobes, cabinets, closets, kitchen units, and equipment or fixtures which are not readily available for use as floor area.
USE (USED)
The purpose for which a building, structure, or space is occupied or utilized, unless otherwise indicated by the text. "Use" ("used") shall be construed as if followed by the words "or is intended, arranged, or designed to be used."
UTILITIES
Includes, but is not limited to, electrical, gas, water and sewerage services.
VENTILATION
The supply and removal of air to and from any space by natural or mechanical means. Cross-reference: See also "mechanical ventilation" and "natural ventilation" in this chapter.
WATER DISTRIBUTION PIPING
The pipes in a building or premises that convey water from the water service pipe to the plumbing fixtures and other water outlets.
WATER SERVICE PIPE
The pipe from the water (street) main or other source of water supply to the building served.
WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM
The water service pipe, the water distribution piping, and all of the necessary connecting pipes, fittings, control valves, and appurtenances used for conveying water in the plumbing system.
WORKMANLIKE
Executed in a skilled manner, e.g., generally plumb, level, square, in line, undamaged and without marring adjacent work.
WORKMANSHIP
All work shall be conducted, installed and completed in a workmanlike and acceptable manner so as to secure the results intended by this code.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 258, Recycling.
B. 
"Shall," as used in this chapter, is always to be construed as mandatory.