The following terms, whenever used or referred to in this chapter, shall
have the following meanings:
BUILDING
Any building, or structure or part thereof, whether used for human
habitation or otherwise, and includes any outhouses and appurtenances belonging
thereto or usually enjoyed therewith.
OWNER
The holder or holders of the title in fee simple.
PARTIES IN INTEREST
All individuals, associations and corporations who have interests
of record in a building and any who are in actual possession thereof.
PUBLIC AUTHORITY
Any officer who is in charge of any department of the Borough relating
to health, fire, building regulations or to other activities concerning buildings
in the Borough.
PUBLIC OFFICER
The officer, officers, board or body who is or are authorized by
the Borough to exercise the powers prescribed by this chapter.
The public officer may determine that a building is unfit for human
habitation or occupancy or use if he finds that conditions exist in such building
which are dangerous or injurious to the health or safety of the occupants
of such building, the occupants of neighboring buildings or other residents
or the Borough. Such condition shall be deemed to include the following (without
limiting the generality of the foregoing): defects therein increasing the
hazards of fire, accident, or other calamities; lack of adequate ventilation,
light, or sanitary facilities; dilapidation; disrepair, structural defects;
uncleanliness; failure to comply with the requirements of the building code or the certificate of occupancy.
Complaints or orders issued by a public officer shall be served upon
persons either personally or by registered mail, but if the whereabouts of
such persons is unknown and the same cannot be ascertained by the public officer
in the exercise of reasonable diligence, and the public officer shall make
an affidavit to that effect, then the serving of such complaint or order upon
such persons may be made by publishing same once in a newspaper printed and
published in the Borough or, in the absence of such newspaper, in one printed
and published in the county and circulating in the Borough of Hillsdale. A
copy of such complaint or order shall be posted in a conspicuous place on
the premises affected by the complaint or order. A copy of such complaint
or order shall be duly recorded or lodged for recording with the county recording
officer of the office of the Bergen County Clerk.
The governing body shall, as soon as possible following adoption of
this chapter, prepare an estimate of the annual expenses or cost to provide
the equipment, personnel and supplies necessary for periodic examinations
and investigations of the buildings in the Borough for the purpose of determining
the fitness of such buildings for human habitation or occupancy or use, and
for the enforcement and administration of this chapter. The municipality is
authorized to make such appropriations from its revenues as it may deem necessary
for this purpose and may accept and apply for grants or donations to assist
it in carrying out the provisions of this chapter.