[Adopted 3-14-1985 by Ord. No. 3-85 (Ch. 113 of the 1981 Code)]
[Amended 4-23-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-4]
A. 
A certain document, three copies of which are on file in the Township of Marlboro, being marked and designated as the "International Property Maintenance Code, 2018 Edition," as published by the International Code Council (ICC), be and is hereby adopted as the Property Maintenance Code of the Township of Marlboro, County of Monmouth, in the State of New Jersey, for the control of buildings and structures as herein provided, and each and all of the regulations of the "International Property Maintenance Code, 2018 Edition," are hereby referred to, adopted and made a part thereof as if fully set out in this chapter.
B. 
In every case where any newly published addition, modifications or changes in the "International Property Maintenance Code, 2018 Edition" as published by the International Code Council (ICC), are made, any such newly published edition, modification or change will take precedence over any other provision which is inconsistent therewith, and any such provision shall be considered to be conformed to it.
[Amended 9-20-2007 by Ord. No. 2007-19; 12-17-2007 by Ord. No. 2007-25; 4-23-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-4; 2-15-2024 by Ord. No. 2024-002]
A. 
No person shall sell, transfer, lease or rent any structure located within the Township of Marlboro unless a certificate of continued occupancy certifying that said structure is in compliance with all provisions of the current version of the International Property Maintenance Code adopted by the State of New Jersey and all other applicable ordinances of the Township of Marlboro is issued.
B. 
No certificate of continued occupancy shall be issued by the Township until the Zoning Officer determines that all structures were built in conformance with the applicable ordinances of the Township and the property owner submits to the Zoning and Construction Offices a home improvement form, which form has been approved by the Construction Office, Zoning Office and the Township Administrator.
C. 
Housing inspectors performing the CCO inspection are authorized to sign the certificate of smoke detector, carbon monoxide alarm and portable fire extinguisher compliance per N.J.A.C. 5:70-2.3(a)1. No certificate of continued occupancy shall be issued by the Township until a certificate of smoke detector, carbon monoxide alarm and portable fire extinguisher compliance has been issued.
D. 
All nonconforming structures (structures built without the required permit or approval or built in violation of applicable Township ordinances) that existed on a parcel of property prior to 1990 shall be exempt from the requirement to obtain the requisite permit or approval as required by Township ordinance or applicable law for that structure in order to remain in compliance with the Township's ordinances and/or in order to obtain a certificate of continued occupancy, provided that:
(1) 
The structure is not being replaced. If such nonconforming structure is being replaced, the replacement structure must comply with the current version of the International Residential Code adopted by the State of New Jersey and all other applicable zoning standards and ordinances of the Township of Marlboro.
(2) 
The structure does not present a threat to public health, safety, or welfare. If the structure presents a threat to public health, safety and welfare, as determined by the Building Inspector or Zoning Officer, the structure must be replaced in conformance with the current version of the International Residential Code adopted by the State of New Jersey and all other applicable zoning standards and ordinances of the Township of Marlboro.
(3) 
The structure is located solely upon the parcel owned by the property owner and does not encroach or trespass onto any parcel owned by a third party.
(4) 
The property owner submits an affidavit in a form acceptable to the Township attesting that the structure was built prior to 1990 and that the property owner agrees to indemnify and hold the Township of Marlboro, its officers, agents and employees harmless from and on account of any and all incidents and/or damages arising from the structure(s) and/or improvement(s) that were built prior to 1990.
E. 
Any exemption granted under this section for a nonconforming structure built prior to 1990 shall not extend to the requirements under N.J.S.A. 52:27D-119 et seq., and/or N.J.A.C. 5:23-1 et seq.
F. 
Lead inspection required.
(1) 
As required by N.J.A.C. 5:28A-1.2 owners/landlords of rental properties/units constructed prior to 1978 are required to provide a "lead safe certificate" prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy.
(a) 
Every single-family, two-family and multi-family rental dwelling constructed prior to 1978 must be inspected for lead within the dwelling by July 22, 2024;
(b) 
After the initial inspection all rental properties constructed prior to 1978 shall be inspected for lead every three years or upon subsequent rental turnover, whichever is earlier;
(2) 
Every single-family, two-family and multi-family rental dwelling constructed prior to 1978 shall be inspected for lead by the Township's certified lead evaluation contractor, or a DCA-certified lead evaluation contractor;
(a) 
The certified lead evaluation contractor shall examine rental dwellings for deteriorated paint, visible surface dust, debris or residue;
(b) 
Should there be evidence of deteriorated paint, visible surface dust, debris or residue a full inspection and testing shall be conducted. Results of inspection and testing shall be submitted to Marlboro Township;
(3) 
Marlboro Township monitoring and recordkeeping:
(a) 
Marlboro Township shall maintain records of tenant turnovers, inspection schedules and inspection results;
(b) 
Marlboro Township shall maintain copies of all lead safe certificates issued by certified lead evaluation contractors for all rental properties constructed prior to 1978 within Marlboro Township;
(4) 
Enforcement and violations:
(a) 
Marlboro Township shall have authority to enforce owner/landlord compliance with these standards;
(b) 
Any violation of the standards as provided in N.J.A.C. 5:28A-1.2 and Township Code shall be remediated within 30 days of notice of violation;
(c) 
A dwelling will not be considered remediated until a lead safe certificate has been provided by the certified lead evaluation contractor. A certificate of occupancy may not be issued until the lead safe certificate is provided.
[Amended 11-13-1997 by Ord. No. 27-97; 2-17-2011 by Ord. No. 2011-1; 2-12-2015 by Ord. No. 2015-1; 2-25-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-4; 2-15-2024 by Ord. No. 2024-002]
A. 
Certificates for apartment: $100.
B. 
Certificate for a single-family dwelling unit: $125.
C. 
Certificate for commercial property: $100.
D. 
Reinspection: $75.
E. 
Certificate of Fire Code status for commercial property: $35.
F. 
Certificate of smoke alarm, carbon monoxide alarm and fire extinguisher compliance for a one- and two-family dwelling: as per N.J.A.C. 5:70-2.9(d) fee schedule.
G. 
Visual lead inspection by Township: $250.
H. 
Visual lead inspection by contractor: processing of certification: $50.
I. 
Visual lead inspection Department of Community Affairs surcharge: $20.
A certificate of occupancy issued for an apartment unit must contain the name of the tenant. It shall be the obligation of the landlord to ensure that upon the reletting of any apartment unit, a certificate of occupancy inspection is ordered and the appropriate fee paid.
Article 3, Section ES-300.3, of the BOCA Basic/National Existing Structures Code shall be modified to read as follows:
All vacant structures and premises thereof or vacant land shall be maintained in a clean, safe, secure and sanitary condition, as provided herein, so as not to cause a blighting problem or adversely affect the public health or safety. All openings must be made secured, doors and/or windows with one-half-inch plywood and paint the same with the same color as the surrounding trim.
[Added 8-15-1985 by Ord. No. 28-85; amended 12-4-2008 by Ord. No. 2008-39]
All property in the Township shall be maintained so as to provide proper landscaping, grading and drainage to prevent the stagnation of water or the erosion of soils or sediments onto the public right-of-way.
A. 
For purposes of this section, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth herein:
EROSION or ERODE
The detachment, wearing away or movement of soil or rock fragments by the action of water, wind, ice or gravity.
SEDIMENT
Soil material, both mineral and organic, that is in suspension, is being transported or has been moved from its site of origin by erosion.
SOIL
All unconsolidated mineral and organic material of whatever origin which overlies bedrock and which can be readily excavated.
STAGNANT WATER
Rainwater that remains on the surface of a property for more than two days after the last recorded rainfall.
B. 
It shall be a violation of this article for the owner of any property to allow stagnant water to exist on property in the Township. Violators of this section shall be subject to the fines and penalties set forth in § 278-9, Violations and Penalties.
C. 
It shall be a violation of this article for the owner of any property to allow soil or sediment to erode onto any public right-of-way. Violators of this section shall be subject to the fines and penalties set forth in § 278-9, Violations and Penalties.
[Added 6-24-1993 by Ord. No. 27-93]
Article 2, Section PM-201.0, of the BOCA National Property Maintenance Code, Third Edition (1990), shall be revised to read as follows:
Public nuisance: In addition to the items and/or conditions specified as nuisances to the general public in Chapter 246 of the Code of the Township of Marlboro, a "public nuisance" shall include the following:
1.
The use of any premises, property or parcel of land, or the physical condition thereof, in a manner which constitutes a public nuisance at common law. A public nuisance at common law is an unreasonable interference with the health, safety or property rights of the community, affecting an indefinite number of persons, or all or a significant number of the residents of the community, or all or a significant number of those persons who are situated within the extent of its range or operation, although the extent of the annoyance or damage inflicted upon individuals may be unequal. Circumstances that may sustain a determination that an interference with the health, safety or property rights of the community is unreasonable may include the following:
(a)
Whether the conduct involves a significant interference with the public health, the public safety, the public peace, the public comfort or the public convenience; or
(b)
Whether the conduct is proscribed by a statute, ordinance or administrative regulation; or
(c)
Whether the conduct is of a continuing nature or has produced a permanent or long-lasting effect and, as the actor knows or has reason to know, has a significant effect upon the rights of others.
These circumstances are intended to serve as typical situations which may warrant a determination that an unreasonable interference with the health, safety or property rights of the community has occurred. It is not intended to be construed as an exclusive listing of such circumstances.
2.
Any physical condition, use or occupancy of any premises or its appurtenances considered an attractive nuisance to children, including but not limited to abandoned wells, shafts, basements, excavations and unsafe fences or structures; or
3.
Any premises which has unsanitary sewerage or plumbing facilities; or
4.
Any premises designated as unsafe for human habitation or use; or
5.
Any premises which is manifestly capable of being a fire hazard or is manifestly unsafe or insecure as to endanger life, limb or property; or
6.
Any premises from which the plumbing, heating and/or facilities required by this code have been removed, or from which utilities have been disconnected, destroyed, removed or rendered ineffective, or the required precautions against trespassers have not been provided; or
7.
Any premises which is unsanitary, or which is littered with rubbish or garbage, or which has an uncontrolled growth of weeds; or
8.
Any structure or building that is in a state of dilapidation, deterioration or decay; faulty construction; overcrowded; open, vacant or abandoned; damaged by fire to the extent so as not to provide shelter, in danger of collapse or failure and dangerous to anyone on or near the premises.
Any person, firm or corporation who shall violate any provision of this code shall, upon conviction thereof, be subject to the penalties in § 4-3 of the Code. Each day that a violation continues after due notice has been served, in accordance with the terms and provisions hereof, shall be deemed a separate offense.
Anyone affected by any such order shall, within 10 days after service of such order, apply to a court of record for an order restraining the Code Official from razing and removing such structure or parts thereof. The court shall determine whether the order of the Code Official is reasonable and, if found reasonable, the court shall dissolve the restraining order, and if found not reasonable, the court shall continue the restraining order or modify it as the circumstances may require.
[Added 7-26-1992 by Ord. No. 22-92]
In cases where the owner of the affected property has refused or neglected to abate the hazard or nuisance in accordance with the notice of violation and where no restraining order from a court of record pursuant to § 278-8 has been sought or in those circumstances where, in the opinion of the Code Enforcement Officer or Construction Official, there is an imminent public health and safety hazard resulting from the violation of any provision of this chapter or the BOCA Basic/National Existing Structures Code, adopted herein, the Township may, either with Township equipment and labor or by contract with third parties, abate the nuisance, correct the defect or put the premises in proper condition so as to comply with the requirements of the ordinance or BOCA Code provision applicable thereto. Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:48-2.12f, the cost of said abatement shall be charged against the premises, and the amount thereof shall become a lien upon such lands and shall be added to and become and form part of the taxes next to be assessed and levied upon such lands, the same to bear interest at the same rate as taxes, and shall be collected and enforced by the same officers and in the same manner as taxes.
Nothing in this chapter or in the Basic/National Existing Structures Code hereby adopted shall be construed to affect any suit or proceeding impending in any court, or any rights acquired, or liability incurred, or any cause or causes of action acquired or existing under any act or ordinance hereby repealed as cited in the prior section of this chapter; nor shall any just or legal right or remedy of any character be lost, impaired or affected by this chapter.