The Housing Officer of the Township of Pilesgrove is hereby
designed as the officer to exercise the powers prescribed by the within
chapter, and shall serve in such capacity according to these regulations.
Pursuant to the provisions of P.L. 1946, c. 21 (N.J.S.A. 40:49-5.1), and except as specifically set forth in §
64-7 below, the New Jersey State Housing Code, New Jersey State Bureau of Fire Safety Code, and the International Property Maintenance Code 2000, all as revised to the date hereof, and together with all revisions following the date hereof, are hereby adopted as the Pilesgrove Township Buildings and Housing Maintenance Codes for the control of buildings and structures as herein provided. All of the regulations, provisions, penalties conditions and terms of the Buildings and Housing Maintenance Codes are hereby adopted and established as the standards for determining whether buildings and structures in the Township of Pilesgrove are safe, sanitary, and fit for human habitation. Three or more copies of above Buildings and Housing Maintenance Codes shall be placed on file and kept current in the office of the Township Clerk and shall be available to all persons desiring to use and examine the same.
Any person affected by any notice which has been issued in connection
with the enforcement of any provision of this chapter or of any rule
or regulation adopted pursuant thereto may request, and shall be granted
a hearing on the matter before the Housing Officer, provided that
such person shall, within 10 days after the day the notice was served,
file in the office of the Housing Officer a written petition requesting
such hearing and setting forth a brief statement of the grounds thereof.
Following receipt of such petition, the Housing Officer shall set
a time and place for such hearing and shall give the petitioner written
notice thereof. At such hearing, the petitioner shall be given an
opportunity to be heard and to show why such notice should be modified
or withdrawn. The hearing shall be commenced not later than 10 days
after the day on which the petition was filed, provided that, upon
request by the petitioner, the Housing Officer may postpone the date
of the hearing for a reasonable time beyond such ten-day period, if,
in the Housing Officer's judgment, the petitioner has submitted
a good and sufficient reason for such postponement. After such hearing,
the Housing Officer shall sustain, modify or withdraw the notice,
depending upon the Housing Officer findings as to compliance or noncompliance
with the provisions of this chapter and the rules and regulations
adopted pursuant thereto. If the Housing Officer sustains or modifies
such notice, it shall be deemed to be an order. Any notice served
pursuant to this chapter shall automatically become an order if a
written petition for a hearing is not filed in the Office of Housing
within 10 days after such notice is served. The proceedings at such
hearing, including the findings and decision of the Housing Officer,
shall be summarized, reduced to writing and entered as a matter of
public record in the office of the Housing Officer. Such records shall
include a copy of every notice or order issued in connection with
the matter. Any person aggrieved by the decision of the Housing Officer
may seek relief therefrom in any court of competent jurisdiction,
as provided by the laws of the state. Whenever the Housing Officer
finds that an emergency exists which requires immediate action to
protect the public health or safety, the Housing Officer may, without
notice or hearing, issue an order reciting the existence of such an
emergency and requiring that such action be taken as the officer deems
necessary to meet the emergency. Notwithstanding the other provisions
of this chapter, such order shall be effective immediately, and any
person to whom such order is directed shall comply therewith immediately
but, upon petition to the Housing Officer, shall be afforded a hearing
as soon as possible. After such hearing, depending upon the officer
findings as to compliance with the provisions of this chapter and
the rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto, the Housing Officer
shall continue such order in effect, or modify or revoke it.
The Housing Officer is hereby authorized and empowered to make
and adopt such written rules and regulations as the officer may deem
necessary for the proper enforcement of the provisions of this chapter;
provided, however, that such rules and regulations shall not be in
conflict with the provisions of this chapter, nor in any way alter,
amend or supersede any of the provisions thereof. The Housing Officer
shall file a certified copy of all rules and regulations which the
Housing Officer may adopt in both the office of the Housing Officer
and in the office of the Township Clerk.
Any person, firm or corporation who shall violate any of the
provisions of this chapter shall, upon conviction, be punished by
a fine not to exceed $1,250, community service, or imprisonment in
the county jail for a period of not to exceed 90 days, or by a combination
of fines, community service and/or imprisonment, and each violation
of any of the provisions of this chapter and each day the same is
violated shall be deemed and taken to be a separate and distinct offense.