[Adopted 5-1-2017 by Ord. No. 2017-06]
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
OWNER
Shall include the title holder, any agent of the title holder having authority to act with respect to a vacant property, any foreclosing entity subject to the provisions N.J.S.A. 46:10B-51 (P.L. 2008, c. 127, Sec. 17, as amended by P.L. 2009, c. 296), or any other entity determined by the Township of Lower to have authority to act with respect to the property.
VACANT PROPERTY
Any real property located in Lower Township, whether vacant or occupied, that is the subject of a foreclosure judgment; or is in default on a mortgage; or has had a lis pendens filed against it by a lender holding a mortgage on the property; or is subject to any ongoing foreclosure action by a lender; or is subject to an application for a tax deed or pending tax assessor's lien sale; or has been transferred to a lender under a deed in lieu of foreclosure; or that meets the definition of abandoned property under N.J.S.A. 2A:50-73, N.J.S.A. 55:19-80 et seq. or any other New Jersey statute defining "vacant" or "abandoned" property. The designation of a property as "vacant" shall continue until the property is sold or transferred to a new owner, the foreclosure action has been dismissed and any default on the mortgage has been cured.
A. 
Effective immediately, the owner of any vacant property as defined herein shall, within 30 calendar days after the building becomes vacant property, or within 30 calendar days after assuming ownership of the vacant property, whichever is later, or within 10 calendar days of receipt of notice by the municipality (failure to receive notice by the municipality shall not constitute grounds for failing to register the property), file a registration statement for such vacant property with the Township Clerk's office on forms provided by the Township or its contractor.
B. 
The owners of property that is vacant on the effective date of this article shall have 30 days to register that property as set forth herein:
(1) 
Each property having a separate block and lot number as designated in official records of the municipality shall be registered separately.
(2) 
The registration statement shall include the name, street address, telephone number, and email address (if applicable) of a person 21 years or older designated by the owner or owners as the authorized agent for receiving notices of code violations and for receiving process in any court proceeding or administrative enforcement proceeding on behalf of such owner or owners in connection with the enforcement of any applicable code; and the name, street address, telephone number, and email address (if applicable) of the firm and the actual name(s) of the firm's individual principal(s) responsible for maintaining the property. The individual or representative of the firm responsible for maintaining the property shall be available by telephone or in person on a twenty-four-hour per day, seven-day per week basis. The two entities may be the same or different persons. Both entities shown on the statement must maintain offices in the State of New Jersey or reside within the State of New Jersey.
(3) 
The registration shall remain valid for 12 months from the date of registration. The owner shall be required to renew the registration annually as long as the building remains a vacant property and shall pay a registration or renewal fee in the amount prescribed in § 500-8 of this article for each vacant property registered.
(4) 
The annual renewal shall be completed within 15 days of the prior year's registration form's expiration date. A notice and invoice will be sent 30 days in advance of the renewal due date.
(5) 
The owner shall notify the Township Clerk's office within 30 days of any change in the registration information by filing an amended registration statement.
(6) 
The registration statement shall be deemed prima facie proof of the statements contained therein in any administrative enforcement or court proceeding instituted by the Township against the building owner.
The owner of any vacant property registered under this article shall provide access to the Township to conduct exterior and interior inspections of the building to determine compliance with municipal codes, upon reasonable notice to the property owner or the designated agent. Such inspections shall be carried out on weekdays between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., or such other time as may be mutually agreed upon between the owner and the Township.
A. 
An owner may designate an agent or individual responsible for maintaining the property.
B. 
By designating an authorized agent under this section, the owner agrees that service on the agent of any notices of code violations and all process concerning the registered vacant property constitutes service on the owner. Any owner who has designated an authorized agent under the provisions of this section shall be deemed to consent to the continuation of the agent's designation for the purposes of this section until the owner notifies Lower Township in writing of a change of authorized agent or until the owner files a new annual registration statement.
C. 
Any owner who fails to register vacant property under this article shall be deemed to consent to service of notices or process by the posting of same in plain view on the building or by regular and certified mail service at the owner's last known address on record with Lower Township.
The initial registration fee for each building shall be $500. Registrations must be renewed every year for an additional fee of $500.
The owner of any building that has become vacant, and any person operating or collecting rent for any such building, shall, within 30 days thereof:
A. 
Enclose and secure the building against unauthorized entry as provided in the applicable provisions of the Township Code.
B. 
Post a sign on the building indicating the name, address and telephone number of the owner and/or the owner's agent for the purpose of service of process, as well as the name, address and phone number of the person responsible for day-to-day management of the building. The sign shall be at least eight inches by 10 inches in size and shall be legible from the nearest street or sidewalk.
C. 
Secure the building and maintain the same until the building is again legally occupied, demolished, or repair is complete.
D. 
Ensure that the exterior grounds of the structure are well-maintained and free from trash, debris, litter and grass and weed growth.
A. 
Any person who violates any provision of this article or of the rules and regulations issued hereunder shall be fined not less than $100 and not more than $1,000 for each offense. Every day that a violation continues shall constitute a separate and distinct offense. Fines assessed under this article shall be recoverable from the owner and shall be a lien on the property.
B. 
Failure to file a registration statement within 30 calendar days after a building becomes vacant property or within 30 calendar days after assuming ownership of a vacant property, whichever is later, or within 10 calendar days of receipt of notice by the municipality; failure to provide correct information on the registration statement; or failure to comply with the provisions of such provisions contained herein shall be deemed to be violations of this article.