Exciting enhancements are coming soon to eCode360! Learn more 🡪
Township of Greenwich, NJ
Gloucester County
By using eCode360 you agree to be legally bound by the Terms of Use. If you do not agree to the Terms of Use, please do not use eCode360.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Code
New Laws (39) Index
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Council of the Township of Greenwich 8-19-1985 by Ord. No. 15-1985;[1] amended in its entirety 4-7-1986 by Ord. No. 4-1986. Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Unfit buildings — See Ch. 258.
Uniform construction codes — See Ch. 310.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance superseded fire prevention legislation adopted 11-6-1961.
Pursuant to Section 11[1] of the Uniform Fire Safety Act (P.L. 1983, c. 383), the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code shall be locally enforced in the Township of Greenwich.
[1]
Editor's Note: See N.J.S.A. 52:27D-202.
[Amended 6-16-2014 by Ord. No. 7-2014]
The local enforcing agency shall consist of the Fire Official and Fire Inspectors.
The local enforcement agency shall enforce the Uniform Fire Safety Act[1] and the codes and regulations adopted under it in all buildings, structures and premises within the established boundaries of the Township of Greenwich, other than owner-occupied one- and two-family dwellings, and shall faithfully comply with the requirements of the Uniform Fire Safety Act and the Uniform Fire Code.
[1]
Editor's Note: See N.J.S.A. 52:27D-192 et. seq.
[Amended 3-16-2020 by Ord. No. 1-2020]
A. 
Required inspections. All firesafety uses shall be inspected annually for compliance with the provisions of this chapter and the Uniform Fire Safety Act.[1] When, in the opinion of the Fire Official, there exist conditions likely to cause fire, contribute to the spread of fire, interfere with firefighting operations, endanger life or violate the provisions or intent of this chapter, additional inspections may be made as often as necessary for the purpose of ascertaining these conditions and causing them to be corrected.
[1]
Editor's Note: See N.J.S.A. 52:27D-192 et seq.
B. 
Payment of fees. The owner of the building is responsible to register and pay the fee for buildings containing common or public areas. The owner/tenant/occupant is responsible to register and pay the fee for the space occupied by the tenant/occupant. All registrations will be for a period of one year and are not subject to refund or proration.
C. 
Registration of buildings and annual fees.
(1) 
Every owner or tenant/occupant subject to this chapter shall file with the local enforcing agency, using forms provided by the local enforcing agency, for a certification or registration. The application shall include but not be limited to the name, address and telephone number of the applicant; name, address and telephone number of the business; owners of the business; description of the business; the name, address and telephone number of the person responsible for the business; and emergency contact information as requested.
(2) 
If the owner or tenant/occupant subject to this chapter fails to complete the registration within 30 days of the date on which it was mailed, the local enforcing agency shall order the owner or tenant/occupant to pay a penalty equal to double the scheduled registration fee.
(3) 
Every owner or tenant/occupant subject to this chapter shall pay to the local enforcing agency an annual registration fee in the amount specified in this chapter. Said annual registration fee shall be paid by the date specified in the invoice, which shall in no event be less than 30 days from the date on which it was mailed.
D. 
Enforcement. If any annual registration fee or any penalty for nonregistration is not paid within 30 days of its stated due date, the same may be sued for and recovered by and in the name of the local enforcing agency in a civil action by a summary proceeding under the Penalty Enforcement Law (N.J.S.A. 2A:58-1 et seq.) in the Township of Greenwich Municipal Court.
[Amended 8-15-1988 by Ord. No. 12-1988; 6-16-2014 by Ord. No. 7-2014]
The local enforcing agency established by § 375-2 of this chapter shall be part of the Department of Public Safety and shall be under the direct supervision and control of the Fire Official, who shall report to the Director of Public Safety.
[Amended 8-15-1988 by Ord. No. 12-1988; 6-16-2014 by Ord. No. 7-2014]
A. 
Appointment of Fire Official. The local enforcing agency shall be under the supervision of the Fire Official, who shall be appointed by the Mayor of the Township with the advice and consent of Council. In making this appointment, the appointing authority shall make the appointment from recommendation of the Director of Public Safety.
B. 
Term of office. The Fire Official shall serve for a term of one year. Any vacancy shall be filled for the unexpired term.
C. 
Inspectors and employees. Such inspectors and other employees as may be necessary in the local enforcing agency shall be appointed by the Mayor of the Township of Greenwich with the advice and consent of the Council.
D. 
Removal from office. The Fire Official, inspectors and other employees of the enforcing agency shall be subject to removal by the Mayor and Council upon recommendation of the Director of Public Safety for inefficiency or misconduct. Each inspector or employee to be so removed shall be afforded an opportunity to be heard by the appointing authority or a designated hearing officer.
Pursuant to Sections 15 and 17 of the Uniform Fire Safety Act,[1] any person aggrieved by any order of the local enforcing agency shall have the right to appeal to the Gloucester County Construction Board of Appeals.
[1]
Editor's Note: See N.J.S.A. 52:27D-206 and 52:27D-208.
[Amended 8-15-1988 by Ord. No. 12-1988; 11-1-2004 by Ord. No. 18-2004; 9-21-2009 by Ord. No. 22-2009]
In addition to the inspection and fees required pursuant to the Act and Regulations of the Department of Community Affairs and/or Division of Fire Safety, additional inspections and fees shall be required as follows:
A. 
Use Group A: Assembly.
(1) 
Use Group A-1-A: $50.
(2) 
Use Group A-1-B: $50.
(3) 
Use Group A-2: $50.
(4) 
Use Group A-3: $50.
(5) 
Use Group A-4: $50.
(6) 
Use Group A-5: $50.
B. 
Use Group B: Business (including office trailers) as defined as places where services are provided.
[Amended 3-16-2020 by Ord. No. 1-2020]
(1) 
One- and two-story, less than 5,000 square feet per floor: $50.
(2) 
One- and two-story, more than 5,000 square feet and less than 10,000 square feet per floor: $100.
(3) 
One- and two-story, more than 10,000 and less than 11,999 square feet per floor: $150.
(4) 
Three- to five-story, less than 5,000 square feet per floor: $200.
(5) 
Three- to five-story, more than 5,000 and less than 10,000 square feet per floor: $300.
(6) 
Three- to five-story, more than 10,000 and less than 11,999 square feet per floor: $400.
C. 
Use Group F: Factory/Industrial.
(1) 
One- and two-story, less than 5,000 square feet per floor: $150.
(2) 
One- and two-story, more than 5,000 and less than 10,000 square feet per floor: $200.
(3) 
One- and two-story, more than 10,000 and less than 11,999 square feet per floor: $300.
(4) 
Three- to five-story, less than 5,000 square feet per floor: $350.
(5) 
Three- to five-story, more than 5,000 and less than 10,000 square feet per floor: $400.
(6) 
Three- to five-story, more than 10,000 and less than 11,999 square feet per floor: $500.
D. 
Use Group M: Mercantile, defined as places where goods are displayed and sold.
[Amended 3-16-2020 by Ord. No. 1-2020]
(1) 
One- and two-story, less than 5,000 square feet per floor: $125.
(2) 
One- and two-story, more than 5,000 and less than 10,000 square feet per floor: $150.
(3) 
One- and two-story. more than 10,000 and less than 11,999 square feet per floor: $175.
(4) 
Three- to five-story, less than 5,000 square feet per floor: $200.
(5) 
Three- to five-story, more than 5,000 and less than 10,000 square feet per floor: $225.
(6) 
Three- to five-story, more than 10,000 and less than 11,999 square feet per floor: $250.
E. 
Use Group R-1: Hotels, Motels and Lodging facilities.
(1) 
One to six units: $50.
(2) 
Seven to 12 units: $100.
(3) 
Thirteen to 20 units: $150.
(4) 
Twenty-one to 50 units: $200.
(5) 
Fifty-one to 70 units: $250.
(6) 
Seventy-one to 90 units: $300.
(7) 
Each additional unit beyond 90 units: $5 per unit.
F. 
Use Group R-2: Residential Multiple-family units (fee per building).
(1) 
One to four units: $50.
(2) 
Five to seven units: $100.
(3) 
Eight to 10 units: $150.
G. 
Use Group R-3: One- and Two-Family Dwelling Units, Non-owner occupied (one- and two-story):
(1) 
Up to 6,000 square feet: $100.
(2) 
More than 6,000 square feet and less than 10,000 square feet: $150.
(3) 
More than 10,000 square feet and less than 11, 999 square feet: $200.
H. 
Use Group R-4: One- and Two-Family Dwelling Units, Non-owner occupied (three- to five-story):
(1) 
Up to 6,000 square feet: $100.
(2) 
More than 6,000 square feet and less than 10,000 square feet: $150.
(3) 
More than 10,000 square feet and less than 11,999 square feet: $200.
I. 
Use Group S-1 (moderate-hazard storage, including storage trailers):
[Amended 3-16-2020 by Ord. No. 1-2020]
(1) 
One- and two-story, less than 5,000 square feet per floor: $125.
(2) 
One- and two-story, more than 5,000 and less than 10,000 square feet per floor: $225.
(3) 
One- and two-story, more than 10,000 and less than 11,999 square feet per floor: $325.
(4) 
Three- to five-story, less than 5,000 square feet per floor: $375.
(5) 
Three- to five-story, more than 5,000 and less than 10,000 square feet per floor: $425.
(6) 
Three- to five-story, more than 10,000 and less than 11,999 square feet per floor: $500.
J. 
Use Group S-2 (low-hazard storage, including storage trailers):
[Amended 3-16-2020 by Ord. No. 1-2020]
(1) 
One- and two-story, less than 5,000 square feet per floor: $100.
(2) 
One- and two-story, more than 5,000 and less than 10,000 square feet per floor: $200.
(3) 
One- and two-story, more than 10,000 and less than 11,999 square feet per floor: $300.
(4) 
Three- to five-story, less than 5,000 square feet per floor: $350.
(5) 
Three- to five-story, more than 5,000 and less than 10,000 square feet per floor: $400.
(6) 
Three- to five-story, more than 10,000 and less than 11,999 square feet per floor: $500.
K. 
Uses not classified in Subsections A through J shall be classified as business uses. Uses required to register with the State of New Jersey as Life Hazard Uses shall not be required to register under this section.
L. 
Vacant buildings shall be charged per square footage and inspected according to the previous use of the building.
M. 
Definitions. All use group definitions shall be those set forth in the Uniform Fire Code, N.J.A.C. 5:70-1.5. In the event that the definitions in the Administrative Code are hereafter amended, this chapter shall, likewise, be deemed amended to conform to any newly phrased definitions.
[Amended 3-16-2020 by Ord. No. 1-2020]
(1) 
Firesafety use groups defined. For the purposes of uniformity, use groups of all buildings contained in this section of this chapter shall be defined using the 2015 International Code Council code and amendments subsequent thereto. Such buildings shall be subject to the registration and periodic inspection requirements established by this chapter. Where two or more firesafety uses exist at the same building or premises, each one shall be considered as separate and distinct for the purposes of this chapter and shall be registered pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
(2) 
Doubtful firesafety use classification. When a building or structure is not specifically classified within a firesafety use group, such building or structure shall be included in the firesafety use group it most nearly resembles in respect to the existing life and fire hazard, and it shall be so classified by the Fire Official.
[Amended 11-1-2004 by Ord. No. 18-2004; 9-21-2009 by Ord. No. 22-2009]
The permit fees charged shall be those established by the Uniform Fire Code. Application fees for the permits are listed in N.J.A.C. 5:70-2.7(b) and shall be paid as provided for in that regulation. Current regulations establish the following application fees for permits:
A. 
Type 1: $42.
B. 
Type 2: $166.
C. 
Type 3: $331.
D. 
Type 4: $497.
[Added 11-1-2004 by Ord. No. 18-2004; amended 9-21-2009 by Ord. No. 22-2009]
Application fees for issuance of a Certificate of Fire Code Status: $35.
[Added 11-1-2004 by Ord. No. 18-2004; 9-21-2009 by Ord. No. 22-2009]
A. 
Penalties for violation of the regulations in this chapter shall be assessed in accordance with N.J.A.C. 5:70-2.12 (a through g, inclusive), as amended.
B. 
Violation of fire lane/zone regulations established under the Uniform Fire Code shall incur penalty of $100 per offense.
The Township Attorney shall act as the legal advisor to the local enforcing agency and undertake such actions at law as the Fire Official shall deem necessary to gain compliance with the code.
[Added 12-17-2018 by Ord. No. 11-2018]
No insurance company shall make payment on any claim in excess of $2,500 for fire damages on any real property located within the Township of Greenwich until such time as all taxes and assessments and all other municipal liens or charges due and payable as appearing on the official certificate of search shall have been paid either by the owner of such real property or by the insurance company, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 17:36-8 et seq.