This chapter shall be applicable to all buildings, every residential and nonresidential building and the premises on which it is situated in the Township, used or intended to be used for dwelling, commercial, business or industrial occupancy which buildings shall comply with the provisions of this code, whether or not such building shall have been constructed, altered or repaired before or after the enactment of this code, and irrespective of any permits or licenses which shall have been issued for the use or occupancy of the building, or for the installation or repair of equipment or facilities prior to the adoption of the ordinance codified in this chapter. This code establishes minimum standards for the initial and continued occupancy and use of all such buildings, and does not replace or modify standards otherwise established for the construction, repair, alteration or use of the building, equipment or facilities contained therein, except as provided for in this chapter.
In any case where the provisions of this code impose a higher standard than set forth in any other ordinances of the Township or under the laws of the State of New Jersey, then the standards as set forth herein shall prevail, but if the provisions of this code impose a lower standard than any other ordinances of the Township or of the laws of the State of New Jersey, then the higher standard contained in any such other ordinance or law shall prevail.
All licenses and permits shall be issued upon compliance with this code as well as compliance with the ordinances under which such licenses and permits are granted.
A. 
No license or permit or other certification of compliance with this code shall constitute a defense against any violation of any other ordinance of the Township applicable to any structure or premises, nor shall any provision herein relieve any owner, operator or occupant from complying with any such other provisions, nor any official of the Township from enforcing any such other provision.
B. 
At the time of such inspection, the inspector shall not issue any certificate evidencing approval under the code unless the dwelling complies with N.J.A.C. 5:70 (regarding smoke detector regulations).
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. III)]
Owners and operators shall have all the duties and responsibilities as prescribed in this code and the regulations promulgated pursuant thereto, and no owner or operator shall be relieved from any such duty and responsibility nor be entitled to defend against any charge of violation thereof by reason of the fact that the occupant is also responsible therefor and in violation thereof.
Occupants shall have all the duties and responsibilities as prescribed and the occupant shall not be relieved from any such duty and responsibility nor be entitled to defend against any charge of violation thereof by reason of the fact that the owner or the operator is also responsible therefor and in violation thereof.
Unless expressly provided to the contrary in this code, the respective obligations and responsibilities of the owner and operator on one hand, and the occupant on the other, shall not be altered or affected by an agreement or contract by and between any of the aforesaid or between them and other parties.