[HISTORY: Derived from Ch. IV, Sec. 4-6, of the Revised General Ordinances
of the Borough of Fort Lee, 1978, adopted 3-1-1979. Amendments noted where
applicable.]
The unregulated and uncontrolled operation of laundries, launderettes,
laundermats, laundromats and dry-cleaning establishments creates serious problems
affecting the citizens of the borough and also the welfare of Fort Lee in
that:
A.
To permit such establishments to operate on a twenty-four-hour-a-day
basis creates serious problems of police supervision and fire hazards;
B.
To permit such establishments to remain open without
supervision by the owners thereof creates additional problems in that dangers
to infant children arise due to the fact that such children may be mangled
or otherwise injured by the operation of machinery in the establishments;
C.
That the presence of coin boxes and receptacles constitutes
an invitation to thieves to break in and steal; and
D.
That the operation of the establishments for a twenty-four-hour-a-day
period constitutes an invasion of the peace and quiet which the citizens of
Fort Lee should enjoy in their homes.
No laundry, launderette, laundermat, laundromat or dry-cleaning establishment
shall be open for the conduct of business on any day of the week other than
between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., prevailing time.
Business licensed under the provisions of this chapter shall be subject
to the following rules and regulations:
A.
All applicable provisions of the building, electrical,
plumbing, heating and ventilating codes and Fire Department regulations must
be complied with.
B.
All unused electrical outlets located in public areas
must be disconnected or covered with plates.
C.
Vent flues for gas-fired equipment must conform to the
standards established by the American Gas Association.
D.
The area used by the public must be adequately lighted
during business hours.
E.
The area used by the public must not be obstructed to
view from the outside.
F.
The water heating system must be completely enclosed
and locked to the general public.
G.
Soft drink vending machines shall be of the type which
dispense the drink from the machine directly into paper containers.
H.
Public telephones shall be wall hung and may not be enclosed.
I.
Coin-operated music and amusement machines may not be
located within the licensed premises.
J.
Washers shall be installed so that their backs are inaccessible
to the general public.
K.
Dryers shall be installed so that their tops and backs
are inaccessible to the general public.
L.
Dryer doors shall be so equipped that they can be opened
from the inside.
M.
Dryers shall be equipped with a device which will cause
them to cease operating upon opening of their doors.
N.
Washers installed after this chapter takes effect shall
be equipped with a device that causes them to cease operating upon the opening
of their doors, or with safety locks on their doors so that they cannot be
opened during the spin dry cycle of the washer.
O.
Washers shall not exceed 25 pounds capacity. Washers
having over 20 pounds capacity shall be anchored to the floor so as to prevent
them from moving.
P.
Dryers shall not exceed 50 pounds capacity.
Q.
Separate extractor machines shall not exceed 16 pounds
capacity; shall be securely anchored to the floor and shall be equipped with
safety locks so that their doors cannot be opened while the machine is in
operation. Installation of separate extractor machines, whether it be an original
installation or a replacement of an existing one, shall not be allowed from
the date this chapter takes effect.
R.
Children under 12 years of age shall not be permitted
on the licensed premises unless accompanied by an adult and a sign to that
effect shall be displayed in a prominent place on the licensed premises.
S.
Rest rooms for the use of the public shall not be allowed
on the licensed premises.
T.
A "No Loitering" sign shall be prominently displayed
in all licensed premises.
U.
Each licensee shall in the application for license set
forth the name, address and telephone number of the person in charge of the
conduct of the business and shall also advise in writing the Secretary of
the Fire Prevention Bureau of the borough of the name, address and telephone
number of the person in charge. This person shall be required, upon notification
by any borough official or the Fire Prevention Bureau, forthwith, to do any
act required by such official which he deems necessary for the health, safety
or welfare of the general public.
The Mayor and Council may for cause suspend or revoke the license of
any person or corporation after due notice to the licensee and hearing before
the Mayor and Council if a hearing is requested by the licensee within 48
hours after service of the notice. The notice referred to in this chapter
shall be in writing and signed by the Borough Clerk and shall state the nature
of the complaint and shall be served on the licensee personally or by leaving
it at the residence address as given in the application for such license.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
Any establishment of the so-called "coin" variety, whereby the facilities
of such an establishment are available to a patron by the insertion of a coin
or coins to set the machinery in motion.
The license fee for laundry and dry-cleaning machines, for each revenue-producing
machine, shall be $5 per year.
