The purpose of this article is to protect the public health, safety and welfare by establishing minimum standards governing the maintenance, appearance and condition of commercial premises. The general provisions of Article I, as well as the provisions of this article, shall apply to all commercial premises in the Township.
A. 
Required of all commercial buildings. Every commercial premises and any buildings or structures situated in the Township used or intended to be used for commercial occupancy shall comply with the provisions of this article, whether or not such building or structure shall have been constructed, altered or repaired before or after the enactment of this article. This article establishes minimum standards for the initial and continued occupancy and use of all such commercial buildings and structures and does not replace or modify standards otherwise established for the construction, repair, alteration or use of commercial buildings, structures or premises contained therein. Where there is a mixed occupancy with commercial and other uses on the same premises, all such uses shall be, nevertheless, regulated by and subject to the provisions of this article.
B. 
Prevailing standard. In any case where the provisions of this article impose a higher standard than is set forth in any other Township ordinance, regulation or state law, then the standards as set forth herein shall prevail. If the provisions of this article impose a lower standard than any other Township ordinance or state law, then the higher standard contained in any other such ordinance, regulation or law shall prevail.
Owners and operators shall have all the duties and responsibilities prescribed in this article, and no owner or operator shall be relieved from any duty or responsibility nor be entitled to defend against any charge of violation thereof by reason of the fact that the occupant is also responsible therefor and in violation thereof.
A. 
The exterior of the premises and all structures thereon shall be kept free of all nuisances and any hazards to the safety of occupants, pedestrians and other persons utilizing the premises and free of unsanitary conditions. Any of the following shall be promptly removed and abated by the owner or operator. It shall be the duty of the owner or operator to keep the premises free of hazards, which include, but are not limited to, the following:
(1) 
Refuse, broken glass, filth, garbage, trash, rubbish, litter and debris.
(2) 
Natural growth, brush, weeds, ragweed, stumps, roots and obnoxious growths; dead and dying trees and limbs or other natural growth which, by reason of rotting or deteriorating conditions or storm damage, constitute a hazard to persons in the vicinity. Trees shall be kept pruned and trimmed to prevent such conditions.
(3) 
Overhang, loose and overhanging objects and accumulations of ice and snow which, by reason of location above ground level, constitute a danger of falling on persons in the vicinity.
(4) 
Ground surface hazards or unsanitary conditions, holes, excavations, breaks, projections, obstructions, ice, uncleared snow and excretion of pets and other animals on paths, walks, driveways, parking lots and parking areas and other parts of the premises which are accessible to and used by persons on the premises. All such holes and excavations shall be filled and repaired, walks and steps repaired, and other conditions removed where necessary to eliminate hazards or unsanitary conditions with reasonable dispatch upon their discovery. It shall be the responsibility of owners and operators to take reasonable steps to discover any such hazards or unsanitary condition which may exist on their premises.
(5) 
Recurring accumulations of stormwater. Adequate runoff drains shall be provided and maintained to eliminate any recurrent or excessive accumulation of stormwater.
(6) 
Sources of infestation.
B. 
Premises shall be kept landscaped; hedges and bushes shall be kept trimmed. Lawns shall be maintained at a height of eight inches or less.
C. 
All signs and printed matter, pictures or illustrations contained thereon, permitted by reason of other regulations or as a lawful nonconforming use, shall be maintained in good repair.
D. 
The exterior of every structure or accessory structure, including fences, signs and storefronts, shall be maintained in good repair. All structural surfaces shall be maintained free of safety hazards and fire hazards such as broken windows, loose and falling shingles and crumbling and falling stone or brick.
E. 
Exhaust vents. Pipes, ducts, conductors, fans or blowers shall not discharge gases, steam, vapor, hot air, grease, smoke, odors or other gaseous or particulate wastes directly upon abutting or adjacent public or private property or that of another tenant.
F. 
The owner and operator of every commercial or business establishment shall be responsible for providing or maintaining the following, where applicable:
(1) 
All forms of and areas of ingress and egress to the property, the structure or the use.
(2) 
Parking spaces clearly indicated by painted lines in accordance with the approved site plan. Handicapped parking spaces shall be striped and signed in accordance with the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code or other applicable law.
(3) 
Painted lane marking, traffic direction arrows and signage to define the movement of traffic as approved on the original site plan or as required by law.
A. 
Condition of premises. All parts of the premises under the control of the occupant shall be kept in a clean and sanitary condition, and the occupant shall refrain from performing any acts which would render other parts of the premises unclean or unsanitary or which would obstruct the owner or operator from performing any duty required for maintaining the premises in a clean and sanitary condition.
B. 
Infestation. Every occupant shall be responsible for the elimination of infestation in and on the premises subject to his control.
C. 
Inspections. All buildings, structures and premises subject to this article are subject to inspection from time to time by the Code Official or their designees. At the time of these inspections, all parts of the premises must be available and accessible for these inspections, and the owner, operator and occupant are required to provide the necessary arrangements to facilitate these inspections. The inspections shall be made during normal business hours of the business occupying the premises, unless there is reason to believe a violation exists of a character which is an immediate threat to health or safety requiring inspection and abatement without delay.
A. 
Immediate threats. Where the violation or condition existing on the premises is of such nature as to constitute an immediate threat to life and limb unless abated without delay, the Code Official or their designee shall order the owner, operator or occupant to correct the violation or condition immediately. Upon failure to do so, the Code Official shall cause the condition to be abated as quickly as possible to eliminate the threat or danger.
B. 
Payment. Where Township monies will be required for abatement of any immediate threat or nuisance as defined herein, correction of a defect in the premises or the maintenance of the premises in a proper condition so as to conform to Township ordinances or state laws, the Code Official shall present a report of the work proposed to be done to accomplish the foregoing to the Township Administrator. The report shall include an estimate of the cost, along with a summary of the proceedings undertaken by the Code Official to secure compliance, including notices served upon the owners, operators, occupants or their agents. The Township Administrator may thereupon authorize the abatement of the nuisance, correction of the defect or work necessary to place the premises in proper condition and in compliance with Township ordinances and state laws. The Code Official may thereafter proceed to have the work performed at Township expense and shall, upon completion, submit a report of the monies expended and costs to the Township Administrator. After review of the report, the Township Administrator may approve the expenses and costs, whereupon the same shall become a lien against the premises, collectible as provided by law. A copy of the Township expenses and costs shall be certified by the Township Clerk and filed with the Township Tax Collector, who shall be responsible for their collection. A copy of this report shall be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the owner. The provisions of this section are in addition to penalties that may be assessed under the provisions of § 390-21.