Borough of Frenchtown, NJ Chapter 13 Property Maintenance

§ 13-1 MAINTENANCE OF VACANT RESIDENTIAL AND NONRESIDENTIAL PREMISES.

§ 13-1.1 Vacant Buildings.

[Ord. No. 661]

The early detection and containment of fire being a valid municipal concern, it is the intent of the Common Council of the Borough of Frenchtown to regulate the boarding up of structures within the Borough.

a. Boarding Up of Structures in Emergency Situations.

1. An emergency shall include fire, storm, flood, wind, broken window, riot, or other similar situation.

2. Permission in emergency situations shall be required of the Code Compliance Officer or public safety official.

3. When doors and windows are boarded up, they shall be covered with no less than 1/2 inch exterior plywood or equivalent.

4. In no case shall the emergency boarding up of doors and windows be permitted in excess of 40 days without application to and approval of the Borough Planning Board. Should permission be granted, the boarded up doors and windows shall be covered with no less than 1/2 inch exterior plywood or equivalent, which shall be the same color as the building exterior.

b. Boarding Up of Structures in Qualified Nonemergency Situations.

1. Exterior Application.

(a) The exterior boarding up of structures in qualified nonemergency situations shall be limited to a structure undergoing renovation or construction, or one that has been scheduled for demolition and for which a demolition permit has been issued.

(b) The application for permission to board up a structure shall be made in writing to the Borough Code Compliance Officer. If the application is approved:

(1) Boarded up doors and windows shall be covered with no less than 1/2 inch exterior plywood or equivalent, which shall be the same color as the building exterior or window trim.

(2) In no case shall the boarding up of doors and windows be permitted in excess of 60 days without a waiver from the Borough Planning Board.

2. Interior Application.

(a) The interior boarding up of structures in qualified nonemergency situations shall be limited to residential dwellings.

(b) Boarded up doors and windows shall be covered with no less than 1/2 inch plywood or equivalent, which shall be black or the same color as the building exterior window trim and shall be attached to the inside of windows and doors.

(c) One window or door on the first floor, which is not facing a public thoroughfare, may be boarded from the outside to allow entry.

(d) In no case shall the interior boarding up of doors and windows be permitted in excess of 120 days without application to and permission from the Borough Planning Board.

c. Vacant structures with security screens, bars and/or grilles on open windows shall include quick-release mechanisms, both of which shall be subject to the approval of the code compliance officer or a public safety official.

d. For all vacant structures, the exterior of the premises and the condition of the accessory structures shall be maintained so that the appearance of the premises and all buildings thereof shall reflect a level of maintenance in keeping with the standards of the neighborhood and such that the appearance of the premises and structures shall not constitute a blighting factor for adjoining property owners nor an element leading to the progressive deterioration and downgrading of the neighborhood with the accompanying diminution of property values.

e. Violations and Penalties. Any person who shall violate any provision of this section shall, upon conviction thereof, be subject to one or more of the following: a fine not exceeding $2,000 or imprisonment in the County jail for a term not exceeding 90 days, or a period of community service not exceeding 90 days, in the discretion of the Municipal Court Judge. Each day that such violation shall continue after due notice has been served shall be deemed a separate offense.