The purpose of this article is to protect the
public health, safety, morals and welfare by establishing minimum
standards governing the maintenance, appearance and condition of nonresidential
premises and multifamily dwellings by establishing standards governing
facilities and conditions of said facilities and fixing penalties
for the violation of this article.
The following terms, wherever used herein, shall
have the following meanings:
COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL PROPERTIES
A building or buildings or any part thereof and the lot or
tract of land upon which the building or buildings are situated, where
commercial and/or industrial activity of any kind takes place.
ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
The Township Enforcement Officer shall be defined as the
Zoning Officer, Health Officer, Chief Construction Official, Township
Engineer or any other Township officials so designated by the Township
Committee to enforce the provisions of this article. Nothing herein
shall preclude any Township employee engaged in the enforcement of
laws and ordinances from enforcing the provisions hereof.
EXTERIOR OF THE PREMISES
Those portions of a building which are exposed to public
view and the open space of any premises outside of any building erected
thereon.
MULTIFAMILY DWELLING
This means any building or structure and any land appurtenant
thereto and any portion thereof, in which three or more dwelling units
are occupied or intended to be occupied by three or more persons living
independently of each other. Multifamily dwelling also means any group
of 10 or more buildings on a single parcel of land or on contiguous
parcels under common ownership, in each of which two dwelling units
are occupied or intended to be occupied by two persons or households
living independently of each other, and any land appurtenant thereto,
and any portion thereof.
With respect to every industrial, commercial
and multifamily dwelling property and accessory structures related
thereto:
A. The exterior of every structure or accessory structure,
fence or other improvement on the premises shall be kept in good repair
and all exposed surfaces subject to deterioration shall be protected
against weathering or deterioration by a protective coating appropriate
for the particular material involved as needed.
B. All exterior windows and window frames shall be painted
with at least one coat of suitable exterior paint or other preservative
as needed, except where constructed of an approved atmospheric corrosion/resistant
metal or other equivalent material.
C. All exposed surfaces susceptible to decay shall be
kept at all times painted or otherwise provided with a protective
coating sufficient to prevent deterioration. Damage to materials must
be repaired or replaced. Places showing signs of rot, leakage, deterioration
or corrosion, weathering or seepage are to be restored and protected.
D. The exterior surfaces shall be maintained to eliminate
conditions reflective of deterioration or inadequate maintenance such
as broken glass, loose shingles, crumbling stone or brick or excessive
peeling of paint.
E. The exterior of the buildings shall be free of loose
material that may create a hazard by falling on persons utilizing
the premises.
F. All exterior walls, roofs, windows, window frames,
doors, door frames, sky lights, foundations and other parts of the
structure shall be maintained as to keep water from entering the structure
to prevent excessive drafts or heat loss during cold or inclement
weather and to provide a barrier against infestation. Damaged or badly
worn materials shall be repaired or replaced and places showing signs
of rot, leakage or deterioration or corrosion shall be treated or
restored to prevent weathering or seepage.
G. Leaders and drain pipes shall be securely fastened
to the building and maintained in good condition free of leaks, kept
clean and free of obstructions and shall direct storm waters in to
draining systems and away from the foundation walls of the structure.
The Township Enforcement Officer upon becoming
aware of a violation of the standards set forth herein, shall immediately
post a notice of the violation with the property owner or leave said
notice in a noticeable place on the property. Said notice shall advise
the owner that the violation is to be removed within 10 days and shall
indicate that, upon failing same, a municipal official may see to
said removal at the owner's expense.
With respect to multifamily dwelling properties,
this article is intended to supplement that section of the New Jersey
Administrative Code entitled "Regulations Per Maintenance of Hotels
and Multifamily Dwellings" as promulgated by the State of New Jersey,
Department of Community Affairs, Division of Housing. The owners of
multifamily dwellings are to understand that they are required to
comply with both the state code with respect to multifamily dwellings
and the regulations contained within this article. In any case where
the provisions of this article impose a higher standard than as set
forth in the Regulations for Maintenance of Hotels and Multifamily
Dwellings, the standards set forth herein shall prevail but, if the
provisions of this article impose a lower standard than the state
code with respect to multifamily dwellings, then the higher standard
contained in the state regulations are to apply.
Any person who violates any provision of this
article shall, upon conviction thereof, be punished by a fine not
exceeding $1,250 by imprisonment for a term not exceeding 90 days,
or both. A separate offense shall be deemed committed for each day
during or on which a violation occurs or continues.