As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ABANDONED PROPERTY
Any property that is determined to be abandoned pursuant to P.L. 2003, c. 210 (N.J.S.A. 55:19-78 et seq.), as follows:
A. 
Property must not have been legally occupied for six months and must meet any one of the following criteria:
(1) 
Property is in need of rehabilitation, in the reasonable judgment of the public officer, and no rehabilitation has taken place during that six month period.
(2) 
Construction was initiated and discontinued prior to completion, leaving the building unsuitable for occupancy, and no construction has taken place for at least six months as of the date of determination that the building is abandoned.
(3) 
At least one installment of property tax remains unpaid and delinquent as of the date of determination.
(4) 
The property has been determined to be a nuisance by the public officer as defined in this section.
B. 
Exceptions to abandoned property.
(1) 
A property on which an entity other than the Township holds a tax sale certificate is not deemed to be abandoned if the owner of the certificate:
(a) 
Continues to pay all municipal taxes and liens when due; and
(b) 
Initiates foreclosure proceedings within six months after the property is eligible for foreclosure.
(2) 
A property used on a seasonal basis is deemed to be abandoned only if it meets any two of the criteria set forth in N.J.S.A. 55:19-81.
C. 
A property which contains both residential and nonresidential space may be considered abandoned pursuant to N.J.S.A. 55:19-78 et seq. so long as 2/3 or more of the total net square footage of the building was previously legally occupied as residential space and none of the residential space has been legally occupied for at least six months at the time of the determination of abandonment by the public officer.
ABANDONED PROPERTY LIST
The list of abandoned properties established and maintained by the Township’s public officer pursuant to Article III of this chapter, which shall only include properties that fit the criteria for “abandoned property” as defined in this Article I.
APPLICABLE CODES
Includes, but is not limited to, the following Township of Pennsauken Codes: zoning, property rehabilitation and maintenance code,[1] along with the state and county building and fire codes.
APPLICABLE ORDINANCES
Includes, but is not limited to, the Township of Pennsauken's Neighborhood Improvement Ordinance, Solid Waste Ordinance, as well as Residential and Commercial Recycling Ordinance.
CREDITOR
A state chartered bank, savings bank, savings and loan association or credit union, any person required to be licensed under the provisions of the “New Jersey Residential Mortgage Lending Act,” sections 1 through 21 39 of P.L. 2009, c. 53 (C.17:11C-51 through C.17:11C-89), and any entity, agent, or assignee acting on behalf of the creditor named in the debt obligation including, but not limited to, servicers, who has filed a complaint in the Superior Court seeking to foreclose upon a residential or commercial mortgage. A creditor shall not include the state, a political subdivision of the state, or a state, county, or local government entity, or their agent or assignee, such as the servicer.
DEFAULT
That the mortgagor has not complied with the terms of the mortgage on the property, or the promissory note, or the evidence of the debt, referred to in the mortgage.
ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
Any law enforcement officer, building official, zoning inspector, code enforcement officer, fire inspector or building inspector, or other person authorized by the Township to enforce the applicable code(s).
FORECLOSURE
Legal process by which a mortgagee, or other lienholder, terminates a property owner's equitable right of redemption to obtain legal and equitable title to the real property pledged as security for a debt or the real property subject to the lien. This definition shall include, but is not limited to public notice of default, a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure, sale to the mortgagee or lienholder, certificate of title and all other processes, activities and actions, by whatever name, associated with the described process. The process is not concluded until the property obtained by the mortgagee, lienholder, or their designee, by certificate of title, or any other means, is sold to a nonrelated bona fide purchaser in an arm's length transaction to satisfy the debt or lien.
LIENHOLDER or MORTGAGE HOLDER
Any person or entity holding a note, mortgage or other interest secured by the building or any part thereof.
MORTGAGEE
The creditor, including but not limited to trustees, mortgage service companies, and lenders in a mortgage agreement, any agent, servant or employee of the creditor, any successor in interest, or any assignee of the creditor's rights, interests or obligations under the mortgage agreement. The definition for "mortgagee" shall only apply to Article III of Chapter 244.
NUISANCE
Any property that is determined by the public officer to be a nuisance if any one of the following applies:
A. 
The property is found to be unfit for human habitation, occupancy or use pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:48-2.3;
B. 
The condition and vacancy of the property materially increases the risk of fire to the property and adjacent properties;
C. 
The property is subject to unauthorized entry leading to potential health and safety hazards; the owner has failed to take reasonable and necessary measures to secure the property; or the Township has secured the property in order to prevent such hazards after the owner has failed to do so;
D. 
The presence of vermin or the accumulation of debris, uncut vegetation or physical deterioration of the structure or grounds has created potential health and safety hazards and the owner has failed to take reasonable and necessary measures to remove the hazards; or
E. 
The dilapidated appearance or other condition of the property materially affects, including the economic welfare of, the residents of the area in close proximity to the property and the owner has failed to take reasonable and necessary measures to remedy the conditions.
OWNER
Includes the title holder, any agent of the title holder having authority to act with respect to a vacant property, any holder of legal or beneficial title, any foreclosing entity subject to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 46:10B-51 (P.L. 2008, c. 127, § 17) or any other entity determined by the Township of Pennsauken; also means the holder or holders of title to an abandoned property. The definition of "owner" shall only apply to Article III of Chapter 244.
PUBLIC OFFICER
The compliance officer, or such other public officer designated or appointed by the Township Committee pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:48-2.5.
QUALIFIED REHABILITATION ENTITY
An entity organized or authorized to do business under the New Jersey Statutes which shall have as one of its purposes the construction or rehabilitation of residential or nonresidential buildings, the provision of affordable housing, the restoration of abandoned property, the revitalization and improvement of urban neighborhoods, or similar purpose, and which shall be well-qualified by virtue of its staff, professional consultants, financial resources, and prior activities set forth in P.L. 2003, c. 10 (N.J.S.A. 55:19-78 et seq.), to carry out the rehabilitation of vacant buildings in urban areas.
REAL PROPERTY
Any improved residential or commercial land, buildings, leasehold improvements and anything affixed to the land or portion thereof identified by a block and lot number, located in the Township of Pennsauken arc considered improved land.
TOWNSHIP
The Township of Pennsauken, County of Camden, State of New Jersey.
VACANT AND ABANDONED
A property shall be deemed "vacant and abandoned" for purposes of Article II, §§ 244-2 to 244-4, if:
A. 
The property is not legally occupied by a mortgagor or tenant, and
B. 
The property cannot be legally reoccupied, because of at least two of the following conditions:
(1) 
Overgrown or neglected vegetation;
(2) 
The accumulation of newspapers, circulars, flyers, or mail on the property;
(3) 
Disconnected gas, electric, or water utility services to the property;
(4) 
The accumulation of junk, litter, trash, or debris on the property;
(5) 
The accumulation of junk, litter, trash, or debris on the property;
(6) 
The absence of window treatments such as blinds, curtains, or shutters;
(7) 
The absence of furnishings and personal items;
(8) 
Statements of neighbors, delivery persons, or government employees indicating that the property is vacant and abandoned;
(9) 
Windows or entrances to the property that are boarded up or closed off, or multiple window panes that are damaged, broken, and unrepaired;
(10) 
Doors to the property that are smashed through, broken off, unhinged, or continuously unlocked;
(11) 
A risk to the health, safety, or welfare of the public or any adjoining or adjacent property owners due to acts of vandalism, loitering, criminal conduct, or the physical destruction or deterioration of the property;
(12) 
An uncorrected violation of a municipal building, housing, or similar code during the preceding year, or an order by municipal authorities declaring the property to be unfit for occupancy and to remain vacant and unoccupied;
(13) 
The mortgagee or other authorized party has secured or winterized the property due to the property being deemed vacant and unprotected or in danger of freezing;
(14) 
A written statement issued by a mortgagor expressing the clear intent of all mortgagors to abandon the property; or
(15) 
Any other reasonable indicia of abandonment.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Chs. 141, Development Regulations, and 243, Property Maintenance.