A. 
The Borough of Lincoln Park is committed to the preservation of good housing and the enhancement of high-quality residential neighborhood environment, and in this regard the governing body finds the regulation of rental housing space in dwellings to be an appropriate focus of policymaking.
B. 
Further, the rental of housing space in dwellings in the Borough is an important area of concern to the governing body in consideration of the fact that a large portion of households in the Borough occupy rented housing space.
C. 
Under the police powers granted to the Borough and in order to protect the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the Borough, it is necessary to regulate the circumstances under which housing space may be rented.
D. 
Existing programs have not kept pace with the need for code enforcement, and an appropriate opportunity to intervene in the downward cycle of housing deterioration is presented on the re-renting of a housing space. Therefore, this article makes provision for code enforcement through requiring the obtaining of a certificate of re-rental approval in each instance of the re-rental of housing space.
The following terms, whenever used or referred to in this article, shall have the following respective meanings for the purposes of this article, unless a different meaning clearly appears from the context:
DEPARTMENT
The Department of Health of the Borough of Lincoln Park.
DWELLING
Any building or structure rented or offered for rent to one or more tenants for family residential units.
HOUSING SPACE
Includes that portion of a dwelling rented or offered for rent for living and dwelling privileges, services, furnishings, furniture, equipment, facilities and improvements connected with the use or occupancy of such portion of the rental property, save that the term "housing space" shall not apply to a two-family dwelling in which one housing space is occupied by the owner of such dwelling and the other housing space is rented or offered for rental.
MINOR VIOLATION
A departure from this chapter which still leaves the housing space in substantial compliance with such chapter.
SERVICE
The provision of electricity, power, heat, hot water, maintenance, painting, elevator service, air conditioning, storm windows, screens, superintendent service and any other benefit, privilege or facility connected with the use or occupancy of any dwelling or housing space.
A. 
A certificate of re-rental approval shall be obtained from the Department of Health by the landlord of every dwelling which is subject to the provisions of this article immediately prior to allowing a new tenant to take possession of a housing space.
B. 
The inspection required by § 367-55 shall be conducted within 30 days prior to the new tenant's possession of the housing space.
C. 
The provisions of this article shall not apply to an attached two-family dwelling, located upon a single lot, in which one of the two units of dwelling space is personally occupied by the owner or owners as their principal residence or to any multiple dwelling subject to periodic inspection pursuant to N.J.S.A. 55:13A-1 et seq. (Hotel and Multiple Dwelling Law).
A. 
The required certificate of re-rental approval shall be granted in respect of any housing space within a dwelling only after such housing space shall have been physically inspected to ascertain its compliance with this chapter.
B. 
The inspection shall be carried out within three business days following receipt of the request for a certificate of re-rental approval and payment of any required fee(s). If such inspection is not completed by 4:00 p.m. of the third business day following receipt of the request for inspection and payment, the owner shall be granted a temporary certificate of re-rental approval and may permit a tenant to occupy the housing space pending completion of the inspection.
A. 
Requests for inspection to the Department shall be accompanied by a fee as provided in Chapter 34, Fees, § 34-20. If such inspection reveals the presence of no violations of the standards, specifications or requirements set forth herein, the Department shall issue a certificate of re-rental approval. If any violations are found and are not deemed to be minor violations, no certificate of re-rental approval shall be issued. The results of all inspections (or reinspections) under this article shall be served upon the owner in accordance with § 367-15.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
B. 
Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, it shall not be grounds for denial of a certificate of re-rental approval if, at the time of inspection, utilities serving the premises (electricity, gas or water) have been temporarily disconnected pending occupancy by a new tenant; provided, however, that the owner shall still be required, at the time of such inspection, to have housing spaces supplied and connected with all facilities and equipment required by this chapter.
The Department shall, in accordance with the rules set forth in § 367-54, conduct reinspection of dwelling spaces for which no certificate of re-rental approval was issued after a prior inspection, due to the existence of code violations. Any such request shall be accompanied by a reinspection fee as provided in Chapter 34, Fees, § 34-20.
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
Whenever an owner requests inspection of more than one housing space, at any single street address, the fees provided in Chapter 34, Fees, § 34-20, shall accompany said application.
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
In the event a tenant fails to take possession of the housing unit on a date required by or specified to the owner and a reinspection is required because a prior inspection or reinspection is not deemed to be immediately prior to the tenant's possession, the owner may require the tenant to pay the entire cost of such reinspection.
To enforce the terms of this article, the Department shall have the authority to promulgate:
A. 
Such rules and regulations as are necessary to carry out the provisions hereof.
B. 
Inspection application forms, expedited inspection application forms, certificate of re-rental approval forms and any other necessary forms.
A. 
Any person aggrieved by a denial of a certificate of re-rental approval may appeal, in writing, to the Borough Administrator of the Borough of Lincoln Park. The Borough Administrator shall hear the appeal, render a decision thereon and file his decision with a statement of the reasons therefor with the Department not later than 10 business days following the submission of the appeal, unless such period of time has been extended with the consent of the applicant. Such decision may affirm, reverse or modify the decision of the Department or remand the matter for further action.
B. 
A copy of the decision shall be forwarded by certified or registered mail to the party taking the appeal.
C. 
Failure to hear an appeal and render and file a decision thereon within the time limits prescribed in this section shall be deemed a denial of the appeal for purposes of a complaint, application or appeal to a court of competent jurisdiction.
D. 
A record of all decisions made by the Borough Administrator, properly indexed, shall be kept and shall be subjected to public inspection during business hours.
Any person who violates any provision of this article shall, upon conviction thereof, be subject to a penalty as provided in § 367-18. A separate offense shall be deemed committed on each day during or on which a violation occurs or continues.
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).