There is hereby created three separate offices, that of the
Construction Official, Zoning Official and Code Enforcement Officer,
which positions may be held by and administered by different individuals.
The appointment of each position shall be made by a majority vote
of the Council.
A. The powers, duties and functions of the Construction Official shall
be as follows:
(1) He or she shall be charged with the administration of all building
codes adopted by the City of Somers Point and of any and all state
or federal building codes or regulations where the enforcing officer
is designated as the Construction Official.
(2) He or she shall perform all the duties and functions of a Construction
Official as set forth in all ordinances.
(3) The Construction Official or a representative, in his or her absence,
shall inspect buildings, plans or premises for compliance with building
codes and order, in writing, the correction of any condition found
to exist which is in violation of these provisions.
(4) He or she shall issue building, construction and all subcode permits,
and collect the fees for same.
(5) He or she shall issue certificates of occupancy as set forth in Chapter
100, Construction Codes, Uniform, and collect the fees for same.
(6) He or she shall make monthly reports to the Tax Assessor and City
Clerk of all certificates issued and of building permits issued.
(7) He or she shall issue all builders' licenses upon receipt of a building
contractor's license application and collect the fees for same.
(8) He or she shall investigate the condition of buildings and dwelling houses within the City of Somers Point as to their condition of health and safety and whether they are unfit for human habitation, and have the authority to issue violations for any violations of the City's building codes or the requirements of Chapter
100, Construction Codes, Uniform.
(9) He or she shall issue and act as the custodian of the building, electrical,
plumbing and fire code (all subcode) permits and collect all fees
associated with same.
(10) He or she, or the Construction Official's designee, shall inspect
all new business premises.
(11) He or she, or the Plumbing Subcode Official, shall review the results
of all inspections made by the Sewer Utility through the Superintendent
of the Public Works of all grease, oil and sand interceptors, and
enforce all violations relative to the use, operation and maintenance
of same.
(12) All fees collected by the office of the Construction Official shall
be made payable to the City of Somers Point.
B. The powers, duties and functions of the Zoning Official shall be
as follows:
(1) He or she shall administer and enforce the zoning laws and ordinances, including those contained in Chapter
114, Development Regulations, and issue any necessary zoning permits.
(2) He or she shall perform all the duties and functions of a Zoning
Official as set forth in all ordinances.
(3) He or she shall review all building and construction plans to ensure same are in compliance with the provisions of Chapter
114, Development Regulations. No building permits shall be issued unless an approved zoning permit accompanies the plans. No zoning permit shall be issued unless the proposed structure, use, temporary activity or construction activities are in compliance with Chapter
114, Development Regulations. In cases involving the new use of an existing structure, a certificate of occupancy for the new tenant shall not be issued until a zoning permit has been issued.
(4) He or she, or a representative, in his/her absence, shall inspect buildings, plans or premises for compliance with the zoning regulations of Chapter
114, Development Regulations, and order, in writing, the correction of any condition found to exist which is in violation of these provisions.
(5) He or she may assist in the promulgation of zoning regulations. The
Zoning Official shall prepare and supervise the preparation of reports
for the Planning Board and Zoning Board.
(6) He or she shall prepare clear, sound, accurate and informative reports
containing findings, conclusions and recommendations as shall be necessary
or convenient to the processing of any application filed with the
Planning or Zoning Board.
(7) He or she shall perform such other duties as may be assigned to him/her
by this chapter, by the rules of the Planning and/or Zoning Board,
and by the City.
C. The powers, duties and functions of the Code Enforcement Officer
shall be as follows:
(1) He or she shall investigate the condition of vacant parcels of land,
land and buildings, and dwelling houses within the City of Somers
Point, as to their condition of health and safety and whether they
are fit for human habitation.
(2) He or she shall enforce all zoning, land use, construction, business
operation or residential use ordinances of the City of Somers Point.
(3) He or she shall be the code enforcer as to violations of Chapter
174, Mercantile Licenses.
(4) He or she shall be responsible for enforcing any and all other ordinances
of the City where said ordinances do not specifically designate who
the enforcing officer shall be.
D. It shall be unlawful for any person holding any of the aforesaid
offices to act as an employee of a builder or as a builder contractor
within the City of Somers Point.
The Police Chief, and or any police officer acting under his
direction, shall also have the duty of enforcing the following laws
and/or departments:
A. He or she shall have the authority to enforce all zoning ordinances
of the City of Somers Point.
B. He or she shall have the authority to act as an enforcer as to violations of Chapter
174, Mercantile Licenses.