[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council
of the Borough of Park Ridge 9-11-2007 by Ord. No. 2007-6[1]. Amendments noted where applicable.]
Unless the context clearly indicates a different
meaning, the following words or phrases when used in this chapter
shall have the following meanings:
The individual or individuals designated by the owner as
the persons authorized by the owner to perform any duty imposed upon
the owner by this chapter. The term does not necessarily mean a licensed
real estate broker or salesman of the State of New Jersey as those
terms are defined by N.J.S.A. 45:15-1 et seq. However, such term may
include a licensed real estate broker or salesman of the State of
New Jersey if such person designated by the owner as his agent is
so licensed.
A single-family residence rented and not occupied by the
owner, or a two-family residence where one of the units is not occupied
by the owner, or a two-family residence where neither unit is occupied
by the owner, or any multifamily residence including apartments in
and above commercial buildings. Condominiums, townhouses, and garden
apartment complexes are excluded. However, nothing in this chapter
shall exclude any unit subject to the Uniformed Fire Code to be inspected
by the Borough's Fire Prevention Offices in accordance with the Uniformed
Fire Code.
[Amended 10-26-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-34]
The license issued by the Borough Clerk or designee attesting
that the rental unit has been properly registered in accordance with
this chapter.
The person to whom the license is issued pursuant to this
chapter. The term "licensee" includes within its definition the term
"agent" where applicable.
Any person or group of persons, firm, corporation, or officer
thereof, partnership association, or trust, who owns, operates, exercises
control over or are in charge of a rental facility.
An individual, firm, corporation, partnership, association,
trust or other legal entity, or any combination thereof.
Every building, group of buildings or a portion thereof which
is kept, used, maintained, advertised or held out to be a place where
living accommodations are supplied, whether furnished or unfurnished,
for pay or other consideration, to one or more individuals and is
meant to include apartments and apartment complexes.
A dwelling unit as defined in § 81-1 of this chapter.
All residential dwelling units shall hereafter
be registered with the Borough Clerk or designee of the Borough of
Park Ridge or such other person as designated by the Borough Council
on forms which shall be provided for that purpose and which shall
be obtained from the Borough Clerk or designee. Such registration
shall occur on an annual basis as provided herein.
A.
Each dwelling unit shall be registered with the Borough
on each change in occupancy. The license term shall commence on January
1 and shall be valid until December 31 of the following calendar year,
at which time it shall expire and a new registration and license shall
be required.
B.
The initial registration shall occur within 45 days
following the adoption of this chapter. Any lease which has been executed
prior to the adoption of this chapter shall not be affected, but the
rental unit must nevertheless be registered, inspected and licensed
in accordance with this chapter.
C.
No dwelling unit shall hereafter be rented unless
the rental unit is registered and licensed in accordance with this
chapter. However, only one registration for the unit is required each
year.
Without in any way intending to infringe upon
the requirements of N.J.S.A.46:8-28, all dwelling units shall be registered
and licensed as provided herein. Every owner shall file with the Borough
Clerk or designee of the Borough of Park Ridge or such other person
as designated by the Borough Council a registration form for each
unit contained within a building or structure, which shall include
the following information:
A.
The name and address of the record owner or owners
of the premises and the record owner or owners of the rental business
if not the same persons. In the case of a partnership, the names and
addresses of all general partners shall be provided, together with
the telephone numbers for each such individuals indicating where such
individuals may be reached both during the day and evening hours.
If the record owner is a corporation, the name and address of the
registered agent and corporate officers of said corporation shall
be provided, together with the telephone numbers for each of such
individuals indicating where such individuals may be reached both
during the day and evening hours;
B.
If the address of any record owner is not located
in Park Ridge or in Bergen County, the name and address of a person
who is authorized to accept notices from a tenant, to issue receipts
therefor and to accept service of process on behalf of the record
owner;
C.
The name and address of the agent of the premises,
if any;
D.
The name and address, including the dwelling unit
number of the superintendent, janitor, custodian or other individual
employed by the owner or agent to provide regular maintenance service,
if any;
E.
The name, address and telephone number of an individual
representative of the owner or agent who may be reached or contacted
at any time in the event of an emergency affecting the premises or
any unit of dwelling space therein, including such emergencies as
the future of any essential service or system, and who has the authority
to make emergency decisions concerning the building and any repair
thereto or expenditure in connection therewith;
F.
The name and address of every holder of a recorded
mortgage on the premises;
G.
If fuel oil is used to heat the building and the landlord
furnishes the heat in the building, the name and address of the fuel
oil dealer servicing the building and the grade of fuel oil used;
H.
As to each dwelling unit, the exact number of sleeping
rooms contained in the dwelling unit and the number of occupants.
In order to satisfy the requirement of this provision, an owner shall
submit a floor plan which shall become part of the application and
which shall be attached to the registration form when filed. The floor
plan shall show the space allocation for sleeping accommodations as
required by this chapter. (Floor plan approximate dimensions can be
sketched sealed drawing 1/4 inch equals one foot.) The floor plan
shall be drawn on a scale of 1/4 inch equals one foot to represent
the information herein. It does not need to be created by a licensed
professional.
I.
Any other information as may be prescribed by the
Borough.
The Borough Clerk or designee shall index and
file the registration forms. In doing so, the Borough Clerk or designee
shall follow the mandates of N.J.S.A. 46:8-28.1, as amended and supplemented,
so that the filing of the registration form will simultaneously satisfy
the registration requirements of N.J.S.A. 46:8-28 to the extent that
it applies to the property being registered and will also satisfy
the registration requirements of this chapter.
Every person required to file a registration
form pursuant to this chapter, shall file an amended registration
form within 20 days after any change in the information required to
be included thereon. No fee shall be required for the filing of an
amendment except where the ownership of the premises is changed.
[Amended 10-6-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-34; 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-007]
Inspections shall be made at least once every twenty-four-month
period at the discretion of the Housing Task Force and/or Housing
Inspector. Additional inspections may be performed as recommended
by any member of the Housing Task Force or by request of the property
owner or tenant.
A.
The inspection officers are hereby authorized to make
inspections to determine the condition of the dwelling unit in order
that they may promote the purposes of this chapter to safeguard the
health, safety, welfare of the occupants of rental facilities and
rental units of the general public. For the purposes of making such
inspections, the inspecting officers are hereby authorized to enter,
examine and survey rental facilities and rental units at all reasonable
times and in accordance with law. The owner or occupant of every dwelling
unit shall give the inspecting officer free access to the dwelling
unit at all reasonable times for the purpose of such inspections,
examinations and surveys.
B.
Every occupant shall give the owner of the dwelling
unit access to any part of such dwelling unit at all reasonable times
for the purpose of making such repairs or alterations as are necessary
to effect compliance with the provisions of this chapter or any lawful
order issued pursuant thereto.
C.
Complaints. Within 10 business days of receipt of
a complaint alleging a reported violation of this chapter, an inspecting
officer shall conduct an inspection as hereinbefore provided.
No person shall hereafter occupy any dwelling
unit nor shall the owner permit occupancy of any dwelling unit within
the Borough of Park Ridge which is not registered and licensed in
accordance with this chapter.
Upon the filing of a completed registration
form, and payment of the prescribed fee, and a satisfactory inspection,
the owner shall be entitled to the issuance of a license commencing
on the date of issuance and expiring on the same date of the next
calendar year. A registration form shall be required for each rental
unit, and a license shall issue to the owner for each rental unit,
even if more than one dwelling unit is contained in the property.
[Amended 10-26-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-34; 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-007]
At the time of the filing of the registration form, and prior
to the issuance of a license, the owner or agent of the owner must
pay a fee in accordance with the following:
A.
An annual registration and license fee of $100 per year per dwelling
unit.
B.
A re-inspection fee of $50 per unit when any reinspection is required.
C.
If any fee is not paid within 30 days of its due date, a late fee
surcharge in the amount equal to twice the registration fee or reinspection
fee shall be charged.
Every owner shall provide each occupant or tenant
occupying a dwelling unit with a copy of the registration form required
by this chapter. This particular provision shall not apply to any
hotel, motel, or guest house registered with the State of New Jersey
pursuant to the Hotel and Multiple Dwelling Act as defined in N.J.S.A.
55:13A-3. This provision may be complied with by posting a copy of
the registration certificate in a conspicuous place within the rental
units.
The maximum number of occupants shall be posted
in each dwelling unit. It shall be unlawful for any person, including
the owner, agent, tenant or registered tenant to allow a greater number
of persons than the posted maximum number of occupants to sleep in
or occupy overnight the dwelling unit for any period. Any person violating
this provision shall be subject to the penalty provisions of this
chapter.
No dwelling unit may be registered and no license
shall be issued for any property containing a dwelling unit unless
all municipal taxes, water, electric and any other charges are paid
on a current basis.
All dwelling units shall be maintained in accordance with Chapter 80, Property Maintenance.
No dwelling unit shall be operated or used in
a manner which shall result in any unreasonable disturbance or disruption
to the surrounding properties and property owners or of the public
in general, such that it shall constitute a nuisance as defined in
the ordinances of the Borough of Park Ridge or the laws of the State
of New Jersey.
A.
Compliance with other laws. The maintenance of all
dwelling units and the conduct engaged in upon the premises by occupants
and their guests shall at all times be in full compliance with all
applicable ordinances and regulations of the Borough of Park Ridge
and with all applicable state and federal laws.
B.
Penalties. Any landlord, tenant or other person violating
the provisions of this section shall be subject to the penalty provisions
of this chapter.
A.
Grounds. In addition to any other penalty prescribed
herein, an owner may be subject to the revocation or suspension of
the license issued hereunder upon the happening of one or more of
the following:
(1)
Conviction of a violation of this chapter in the Municipal
Court or any other court of competent jurisdiction.
(3)
Continuously renting the dwelling unit or units to
a tenant or tenants who are convicted of a violation of Chapter 65A,
Noise, of the Borough.
(4)
Continuously permitting the dwelling unit to be occupied
by more than the maximum number of occupants as defined in this chapter.
(5)
Maintaining the dwelling unit or units or the property
in which the rental unit is a part in a dangerous condition likely
to result in injury to person or property.
B.
Procedure; written complaint; notice and hearing:
(1)
A complaint seeking the revocation or suspension of
a license may be filed by any one or more of the following: Chief
of Police, Construction Code Official, Fire Inspector, the Zoning
Officer or any other person or office authorized to file such complaint,
including the Housing Task Force or its designee. Such complaint shall
be in writing and filed with the Borough Clerk or designee. The complaint
shall be specific and shall be sufficient to apprise the licensee
of the charges so as to permit the licensee to present a defense.
The individual(s) filing the complaint may do so on the basis of information
and belief and need not rely on personal information.
(2)
Upon the filing of such written complaint, the Borough
Clerk or designee shall immediately inform the Borough Council and
a date for a hearing shall be scheduled which shall not be sooner
than 10 or more than 30 days thereafter. The Borough Clerk or designee
shall forward a copy of the complaint and a notice as to the date
of the hearing to the licensee and the agent, if any, at the address
indicated on the registration form. Service upon the agent shall be
sufficient.
(3)
The hearing required by this section shall be held
before the Borough Council unless, in its discretion, the Borough
Council determines that the matter should be heard by a hearing officer
who shall be appointed by the Borough Council. If the matter is referred
to a hearing officer, such officer shall transmit his findings of
fact and conclusions of law to the Borough Council within 30 days
of the conclusion of the hearing. The Borough Council shall then review
the matter and may accept, reject, or modify the recommendations of
the hearing officer based on the record before such hearing officer.
In the event that the matter is not referred to a hearing officer,
and is heard by the Borough Council, then the Borough Council shall
render a decision within 30 days of the conclusion of the hearing.
Following the hearing, a decision shall be rendered dismissing the
complaint, revoking or suspending the license, or determining that
the license shall not be renewed or reissued for one or more subsequent
license years.
(4)
A stenographic transcript shall be made of the hearing.
All witnesses shall be sworn prior to testifying. The strict rules
of evidence shall not apply, and the evidential rules and burden of
proof shall be that which generally control administrative hearings.
C.
Defenses. It shall be a defense to any proceeding
for the revocation, suspension or other disciplinary action involving
a rental license to demonstrate that the owner has taken appropriate
action and has made a good-faith effort to abate the conditions or
circumstances giving rise to the revocation proceeding, including,
but not limited to the institution of legal action against the tenants,
occupants or quests for recovery of the premises; eviction of the
tenants or otherwise.
No person shall allow any dwelling unit to be
occupied which does not comply with the following requirements:
A.
Every dwelling unit shall contain a kitchen sink in
good working condition and properly connected to a water and sewer
system approved by the Borough.
B.
Every dwelling unit shall contain a room which affords
privacy to a person within said room, and which is equipped with a
flush water closet and a lavatory, basin and a bathtub or shower in
good working condition and properly connected to a water and sewer
system approved by the Borough.
D.
Every dwelling unit shall be supplied with adequate
rubbish and garbage storage facilities and adequate disposal facilities.
Garbage or other organic waste shall be stored in watertight receptacles
of metal or other approved material. Such receptacles shall be provided
with tight-fitting covers. At least one approved-type garbage receptacle
shall be provided for each dwelling unit.
E.
Every water closet, lavatory and bathtub or shower
for each dwelling unit shall be accessible from within the building
without passing through any part of any other dwelling unit.
F.
Every dwelling shall have supplied water-heating facilities
which are properly installed.
G.
Every dwelling unit shall have safe unobstructed means
of egress.
No person shall allow any dwelling unit to be
occupied which does not comply with the following requirements:
A.
Every habitable room shall have at least one window
or skylight facing directly to the outdoors.
B.
Every habitable room shall have sufficient separate
wall-type electric convenience outlets.
C.
Every portion of each staircase, hall, cellar, basement,
landing, furnace room, utility room, and all similar nonhabitable
space located in a dwelling shall have either natural or artificial
light available at all times. Every portion of any interior or exterior
passageway or stairway common to two or more families in a dwelling
shall be illuminated. In dwellings comprising two dwelling units,
such illumination shall not be required at all times if separate switches,
convenient and readily accessible to each dwelling unit, are provided
for the control of such artificial light by the occupants thereof.
D.
Every basement or cellar window used or intended to
be used for ventilation, and every other opening to a basement which
might provide an entry for rodents, shall be supplied with a screen
or such other device as will effectively prevent their entrance.
E.
Every space heater, except electrical, shall be properly
vented to a chimney or duct leading to the outdoors. Unvented portable
space heaters are prohibited unless they are UL rated.
No person shall allow a dwelling unit to be
occupied which does not comply with the following requirements:
A.
Every dwelling unit shall contain at least 150 square
feet of floor space for each occupant thereof up to a maximum of two
occupants, and at least 100 additional square feet of floor space
for every additional occupant thereof, the floor space to be calculated
on the basis of total habitable area.
B.
In every dwelling unit of two or more rooms, at least
one room occupied for sleeping purposes by two occupants shall contain
at least 70 square feet of floor space; and any other room occupied
for sleeping purposes shall contain at least 70 square feet of floor
space for one occupant and at least 50 additional square feet of floor
space for each additional occupant thereof.
C.
No dwelling or dwelling unit containing two or more
sleeping rooms shall have such room arrangements that access to a
bathroom or water closet compartment intended for use by occupants
of more than one sleeping room can be had only by going through another
sleeping room; nor shall room arrangements be such that access to
a sleeping room can be had only by going through another sleeping
room or a bathroom or water closet compartment.
D.
At least one-half of the floor area of every habitable
room shall have a ceiling height of at least seven feet. The floor
area of that part of any room where the ceiling is less than five
feet shall not be considered as part of the floor area in computing
the total floor area of the room for the purpose of determining the
maximum permissible occupancy thereof.
E.
No basement area shall be used as a sleeping room
unless that area fully complies with all the requirements of this
chapter.
No person shall allow a dwelling unit to be
occupied, which does not comply with the following requirements:
A.
Every foundation, floor, wall, ceiling and roof shall
be reasonably weathertight, watertight and rodentproof, capable of
affording privacy, and shall be kept in good repair.
B.
Every window, exterior door and basement hatchway
shall be reasonably weathertight, watertight and rodentproof and shall
be kept in sound working condition and good repair.
C.
Every inside and outside stair, porch and appurtenance
thereto shall be so constructed as to be safe to use and capable of
supporting the load that normal use may cause to be placed thereon
and shall be kept in sound condition and good repair.
D.
Every plumbing fixture and water and waste pipe shall
be properly installed and maintained in good sanitary working condition,
free from defects, leaks and obstructions.
E.
Every water closet compartment floor surface and bathroom
floor surface shall be constructed and maintained so as to be reasonably
impervious to water and so as to permit such floor to be easily kept
in a clean and sanitary condition.
F.
Every supplied facility, piece of equipment or utility
which is required under this chapter shall be so constructed or installed
that it will function safely and effectively and shall be maintained
in satisfactory working condition.
G.
No owner, operator or occupant shall cause any service,
facility, equipment or utility which is required under this chapter
to be removed from or shut off from, or discontinued for, any occupied
dwelling let or occupied by him, except for such temporary interruptions
as may be necessary while actual repairs or alterations are in process
or during temporary emergencies when discontinuance of service is
approved by the public officer.
H.
No owner shall occupy or let to any other occupant
any vacant dwelling unit unless it is clean, sanitary and fit for
human occupancy.
I.
Every porch, balcony, roof and/or similar place higher
than 40 inches above the ground used for egress or for use by occupants
shall be provided with adequate railings or parapets. Such protective
railings or parapets shall be properly balustraded and shall be not
less than three feet in height.
J.
Every building, dwelling and dwelling unit and all
other areas of the premises shall be clean and free from garbage or
rubbish or other hazards to safety. Lawns, hedges and bushes shall
be kept trimmed and shall not be permitted to become overgrown and
unsightly. Brush, weeds, uncut grass and/or obnoxious growths shall
not exceed six inches in height.
K.
Fences shall be kept in good repair.
Responsibilities of the owner are:
A.
To keep every dwelling unit and every part thereof,
including the roof, walls, floors, provided fixtures and equipment
for heating water, including chimneys and smoke pipes, doors, windows,
foundations and rubbish containers, in a state of sound repair and
in a clean and sanitary condition.
B.
To maintain such dwelling so there will not be excessive
heat loss caused by lack of or improper maintenance of the doors,
windows, walls, roofs or other parts of the building.
C.
To refrain from shutting off or causing to have discontinued
or disconnected provided utilities for any occupied dwelling, except
where such interruption of utility service is necessary while in the
actual process of making repairs or during temporary emergencies for
which repairs are being arranged.
D.
To keep the basement or cellar dry and ventilated.
The floors of such basement or cellar shall be paved with brick, cement,
tile, or some other impervious material. The side walls and ceilings
of every basement and cellar shall be kept free from dampness. The
basement or other cellar shall be kept clean and free from an accumulation
of filth, ashes, garbage, rubbish, refuse, junk, soil matter, wood,
paper and other material of a combustible or putrefactive nature.
The use of any cellar for sleeping purposes is prohibited.
E.
To keep side walls and ceilings of such dwelling,
dwelling unit and every habitable room, hall, closet and compartment
clean and well and sufficiently plastered, painted or papered, so
that the same may have clean, smooth and washable surfaces.
F.
To keep the flooring of the halls, stairs and landing
clean and free from filth, ashes, garbage, rubbish, refuse, junk,
soil, water, drainage water, slop, wood, paper and other material
of a putrefactive or combustible nature and free from fire and accident
hazards.
G.
To keep the exterior of the premises and all structures
thereon free of any nuisances or any hazards to the safety of occupants,
pedestrians or other persons utilizing the premises or free of unsanitary
conditions, and any of the foregoing 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 nuisances or free of unsightly
conditions or free of unsanitary conditions or free of hazard or any
combination of the foregoing, which include but are not limited to
the following:
(1)
Refuse: brush, weeds, broken glass, stumps, roots,
obnoxious growths, filth, garbage, trash, refuse and debris.
(2)
Natural growth: dead and dying trees and limbs or
other natural growth which, by reason of rotting or deteriorating
conditions or storm damage, constitutes a hazard to persons in the
vicinity thereof. Trees shall be kept pruned and trimmed to prevent
such conditions.
H.
To maintain and keep chimneys, smokestacks, smokepipes,
flues and provided heating equipment of such dwelling free from defect
and in such condition as to prevent coal or illuminating gas, soot,
smoke or noxious fumes or odors from entering such dwelling, dwelling
unit or habitable rooms, or any dwelling or dwelling unit adjacent
thereto.
I.
To keep the roof, gutters, leaders, side walls, windows
and window frames of such dwelling, and every part thereof, structurally
sound and free from leakage of rainwater. All drainage therefrom shall
be conveyed so as to prevent the dripping of such water upon the ground
or onto property adjacent thereto.
J.
To make and maintain the dwelling reasonably verminproof
and rodentproof and to exterminate same.
K.
To keep and maintain structurally sound and free from
any defects the exterior of the dwelling and the masonry walls, clapboards,
sheathing, shingles, exterior studs, main cornices, foundation wall,
wood sills, corner posts, wood plates, supporting rafters, roofing
boards and coverings; the stoops and porches, flooring, railing and
stair treads; the risers, posts, handrails, balustrades and newels;
window sash frames, sills, stools and apron; the doors and door frames;
the fire escape, flooring, railings, ladders, passageways, weights,
chains, basket and stairs; and the joists and crossbeams of any dwellings
and parts thereof of frame construction and parts subject to erosion
and deterioration. Foundation walls shall be kept structurally sound
and free from any defects.
L.
Every dwelling unit shall contain at least 150 square
feet of floor space for each occupant thereof up to a maximum of two
occupants and at least 100 additional square feet of floor space for
every additional occupant thereof, the floor space to be calculated
on the basis of total habitable area.
M.
To provide in every room in every dwelling a window
or skylight, opening directly to the outer air. Every dwelling, habitable
room and hall shall be equipped with a safe artificial light service,
and all electrical wiring, outlets and fixtures thereof shall be installed
and maintained.
N.
To keep the exterior of the premises, the exterior
or dwelling structures and the condition of accessory structures maintained
so that the appearance of the premises and all buildings thereon shall
reflect a level of maintenance in keeping with the residential standards
of the neighborhood, or such other standards as may be adopted by
the Borough and such that the appearance of the premises and structures
shall not constitute a blighting factor for adjoining property owners
nor an element leading to the progressive deterioration and downgrading
of the neighborhood, with the accompanying diminution of property
values, including the following:
(1)
Storage of commercial and industrial material. There shall not be stored or used at a location visible from the sidewalk, street or other public areas equipment and materials relating to commercial or industrial uses unless permitted under Chapter 101, Zoning.
(2)
Landscaping. Premises shall be kept landscaped, and
lawn, hedges and bushes shall be kept neatly trimmed and from becoming
overgrown and unsightly so as not to constitute a blighting factor
depreciating adjoining property or impairing the good character of
the neighborhood.
O.
To keep any front yard area of premises occupied by
a dwelling free from the parking, stopping of standing of any motor
vehicle, except on driveways and parking area constructed and installed
in compliance with applicable Borough ordinance and not less than
three feet from the interior front sidewalk line adjacent to said
premises.
P.
To provide and maintain adequate runoff drains in
accordance with existing applicable codes.
Q.
To prevent, repair and eliminate ground surface hazards
or unsanitary conditions, holes, excavations, breaks, projections,
obstructions, icy conditions, uncleared snow and the 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 replaced and other conditions
removed where necessary to eliminate hazards or unsanitary conditions
with reasonable dispatch upon their discovery.
It shall be the duty and responsibility of the
occupant:
A.
To keep the dwelling unit, and the portion of the
dwelling and premises over which he has exclusive control, in a clean
and sanitary condition.
B.
To place all garbage and refuse in proper legal containers
supplied by himself or provided by the owner for such purposes.
C.
To refrain from willfully or maliciously damaging
or permitting any member of his family to damage any part or portion
of the dwelling.
D.
To refrain from using any fuel which, by its combustion,
may cause smoke and the rapid discoloration of side walls and ceilings
of the dwelling.
E.
To refrain from chopping wood or other material in
any dwelling.
F.
To maintain in a clean and sanitary condition plumbing
fixtures used by himself or his family. No occupant shall knowingly,
willfully or maliciously deposit or permit any member of his household
to deposit any material in any fixture which would result in stoppage
of or damage to the fixture.
G.
To refrain from using for sleeping purposes for one
occupant any room containing less than 70 square feet of floor space
and every room occupied for sleeping purposes by more than one occupant
if it contains less than 50 square feet of floor space for each occupant
thereof.
Any person who violates any provision of this
chapter shall, upon conviction in the Municipal Court of the Borough
of Park Ridge or such other court having jurisdiction, be liable to
a fine. For the first offense, a minimum fine of no less than $250
or imprisonment for a term not to exceed 30 days, or both. The fine
for the second offense shall be a minimum of $500 or imprisonment
for a term not exceeding 30 days, or both. The fine for a third and
subsequent offenses shall be a minimum of $750 or imprisonment for
a term not exceeding 30 days, or both. Each day that a violation occurs
shall be deemed a separate and distinct violation subject to the penalty
provisions of this chapter.
