[1988 Code § 64-1]
To provide for the orderly method of the repair, closing or demolition of dwellings in this municipality unfit for human habitation, creating the hazards of fire, accidents or other calamities, and to carry out the provisions of N.J.S.A. 40:48-2.3, the Construction Official of this municipality is hereby designated and appointed to exercise the powers prescribed in said statute and provided herein, and he may exercise such powers either in his own person or by the appointment of such agent or agents as he may designate.
[1988 Code § 64-2]
Whenever a petition is filed with the Construction Official or his agents by any public authority or by at least five residents of the municipality charging that any dwelling therein is unfit for human habitation or whenever it appears to the Construction Official that any dwelling is unfit for human habitation, he shall cause to be made a preliminary investigation, and, if that investigation discloses a basis for such charges, he shall cause to be issued and served upon the owner of and the parties in interest in such dwelling a complaint in such form as he shall prescribe, stating the charges in that respect and containing a notice that a hearing will be held before the Construction Official or his designated agent at a place fixed in said notice and at a time not less than seven days nor more than 30 days after the serving of such complaint. The owner and the parties in interest may file an answer to the complaint and may appear in person or otherwise and give testimony at the time and place so fixed.
[1988 Code § 64-3]
If, after such notice and hearing, the Construction Official determines that the dwelling under consideration is unfit for human habitation, he shall so determine in writing and shall state, in writing, his findings of fact in support of such determination.
[1988 Code § 64-4]
Such determination and findings of fact shall, among other things, find if the repair, alteration or improvement of said dwelling can be made at a reasonable cost in relation to the value of the dwelling or whether such repair, alteration or improvement cannot be made at a reasonable cost in relation to the value of the dwelling. Such reasonable cost, for the purpose hereof, is hereby fixed at 35% of said value.
[1988 Code § 64-5]
a. 
If it is found that the repair, alteration or improvement of the dwelling can be made at a reasonable cost as aforesaid, the Construction Official shall cause to be issued and served upon the owner thereof and the parties in interest an order requiring the owner, to the extent and within the time specified in said order, to repair, alter or improve said dwelling to render it fit for human habitation or, at the option of the owner, to vacate and close the dwelling as a human habitation.
b. 
If it is found that the repair, alteration or improvement of said dwelling cannot be made at a reasonable cost as aforesaid, such order shall require the owner within the time specified therein to remove or demolish such dwelling.
[1988 Code § 64-6]
If the owner fails to comply with an order to repair, alter or improve the dwelling or, in the alternative, to vacate and close the dwelling, the Construction Official may cause such dwelling to be repaired, altered or improved or, in the alternative, to be vacated and closed; the officer shall cause to be posted on the main entrance of the closed dwelling a placard containing the following words: "This building is unfit for human habitation; the use or occupation of this building for human habitation is prohibited and unlawful."
[1988 Code § 64-7]
If the owner fails to comply with an order to remove or demolish the dwelling, the Construction Official may cause such dwelling to be removed or demolished.
[1988 Code § 64-8]
The amount of the cost of such repairs, alterations or improvements to such dwelling or the vacation and closing thereof or the removal or demolition thereof, including the clearance and, if necessary, leveling of the site, shall be a municipal lien against the real property with respect to which such cost was incurred.
[1988 Code § 64-9]
Such costs shall be determined by the Construction Official, and a comprehensive and itemized statement thereof shall be prepared and filed, one copy with the Municipal Clerk and one copy with the Tax Collector, The Tax Collector, upon receipt of the statement of cost, shall enter the total amount as a lien against the property and shall proceed in all respects as with other liens for unpaid taxes and assessments.
[1988 Code § 64-10]
If the building shall be removed or demolished by the Construction Official, he shall sell the materials of such dwelling and shall credit the proceeds of such sale against the cost of removal or demolition, and any balance remaining shall be deposited by him in the Superior Court, to be there disposed of as directed by law.
[1988 Code § 64-11]
The Construction Official may determine that a dwelling is unfit for human habitation if he finds that conditions exist in such dwelling which are dangerous and injurious to the health or safety of the occupants of such dwelling, the occupants of neighboring dwellings or the residents of the Borough, and such conditions may include the following but without limiting the generality of the foregoing:
a. 
Defects therein increasing the hazards of fire, accidents or other calamities.
b. 
Lack of adequate ventilation, light or sanitary facilities.
c. 
Dilapidation.
d. 
Disrepair or structural defects.
e. 
Uncleanliness.
[1988 Code § 64-12]
Complaints, notices or orders issued by the Construction Official pursuant hereto shall be served either personally or by registered mail, but if the whereabouts of the persons to be served is unknown and the same cannot be ascertained by the Construction Official in the exercise of reasonable diligence, the Construction Official shall make an affidavit to that effect, after which services may be made by publishing the same once in a newspaper printed and published in the Borough or, in the absence of such newspaper, one printed and published in the County and circulating in the Borough. A copy of the complaint and order shall be posted in a conspicuous place on the premises affected, and a copy shall be recorded or lodged for record with the County Clerk of the County of Cape May.
[1988 Code § 64-13]
The Construction Official is hereby authorized to exercise such general powers as may be necessary to effect the purpose and provisions of the statute pursuant to which this chapter is enacted, including the following powers, in addition to others granted:
a. 
To investigate the dwelling conditions in the municipality in order to determine which dwellings are unfit for human habitation.
b. 
To administer oaths, affirmations, examine witnesses and receive evidence.
c. 
To enter upon premises for the purpose of making examinations.
d. 
To appoint and fix the duties of such officers, agents and employees as he deems necessary to carry out the purposes hereof.
e. 
To delegate any of his functions and powers under the chapter to such officers and agents as he may designate.