[Adopted 1-23-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-003[1]]
[1]
Editor’s Note: This ordinance also repealed former Art. II, Enforcement of Uniform Code, adopted 6-13-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-020.
Pursuant to Section 11 of the Uniform Fire Safety Act (P.L. 1983 c. 383),[1] the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code (N.J.A.C. 5:70-1 et seq.) shall be locally enforced in the Borough of High Bridge.
[1]
Editor's Note: See N.J.S.A. 52:27D-192 et seq.
The local enforcing agency shall be the Borough of High Bridge Bureau of Fire Prevention.
A. 
The local enforcing agency shall enforce the Uniform Fire Code in all buildings, structures, and premises within the established boundaries of the Borough of High Bridge other than one- and two-unit owner-occupied dwellings used exclusively for dwelling purposes and buildings, structures, and premises owned or operated by federal government, interstate agencies or the state.
B. 
The local enforcing agency shall faithfully comply with all the pertinent requirements of the Uniform Fire Safety Act and the Uniform Fire Code.
A. 
The Bureau of Fire Prevention established by § 180-11 of this article shall be under the direct supervision and control of a Fire Official who shall be appointed by the governing body and shall report to the Business Administrator.
B. 
The Bureau of Fire Prevention shall have at least one paid inspector.
A. 
Appointment and qualifications of the Fire Official. The Fire Official shall be certified by the state and appointed by the governing body.
B. 
Appointment and qualifications of inspectors and other employees. Inspectors and other employees of the enforcing agency shall be appointed by the governing body upon recommendation of the Fire Official. All life hazard use inspectors shall be certified by the state.
C. 
Appointment of legal counsel. The governing body shall specifically appoint legal counsel to assist the agency in enforcing the Uniform Fire Code.
D. 
Term of office. The Fire Official shall serve for a term of a minimum of one year. Any vacancy shall be filled for the unexpired term.
E. 
Removal from office. The Fire Official, inspectors and other employees of the agency shall be subject to removal by the governing body for just cause. Before removal from office, all persons shall be afforded an opportunity to be heared by the governing body or a hearing officer designated by the same.
The Bureau of Fire Prevention established by § 180-11 of this article shall carry out the periodic inspections of life hazard uses required by the Uniform Fire Code on behalf of the Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs.
A. 
In addition to the registrations required by the Uniform Fire Code, the following non-life hazard uses shall register with the Bureau of Fire Prevention. These uses shall be inspected once per year.
Use
Fee
A Assembly
A-1
Eating establishment under 50 (no alcohol)
$25
A-2
Take-out food service (no seating)
$25
A-3
House of worship
$25
B Business/Professional
B-1
Professional use 1 and 2 story less than 5,000 square feet per floor
$25
B-2
1 and 2 story more than 5,000 square feet less than 10,000 square feet per floor
$50
B-3
1 and 2 story more than 10,000 square feet
$75
B-4
3 to 5 story less than 5,000 square feet per floor
$100
B-5
3 to 5 story more than 5,000 square feet less than 10,000 square feet per floor
$150
B-6
3 to 5 story over 10,000 square feet per floor
$200
C Retail (mercantile)
M-1
1 and 2 story less than 5,000 square feet per floor
$125
M-2
1 and 2 story more than 5,000 square feet less than 10,000
$150
M with the exception of hardware store 3,000 square feet, retail store over 12,000 square feet are life hazard uses.
D Manufacturing (factory)
F-1
1 and 2 story less than 5,000 square feet per floor
$75
F exception life hazard uses
S
Storage S-1 (moderate hazard S-1, low hazard S-2)
S-1
1 and 2 story less than 5,000 square feet per floor
$50
S exception life hazard uses.
F Residential (LEA listed with multifamily BHI)
Fee is for each building.
R-1
1 to 6 units
$25
R-2
7 to 12 units
$50
R-3
13 to 20 units
$75
R-4
21 to 50 units
$100
R-5
For each additional unit
$25
R Common areas (each building)
R-1
1 and 2 story less than 5,000 square feet per floor
$50
R-2
1 and 2 story more than 5,000 square feet less than 10,000 square feet per floor
$75
R-3
1 and 2 story more than 10,000 square feet
$100
R-4
3 to 5 story less than 5,000 square feet per floor
$125
R-5
3 to 5 story more than 5,000 square feet less than 10,000 square feet
$150
R-6
3 to 5 story over 10,000 square feet
$200
Common areas (LEA not listed with BHI) (each building)
R-1
1 and 2 story less than 5,000 square feet per floor
$50
R-2
1 and 2 story more than 5,000 square feet less than 10,000 square feet per floor
$75
R-3
1 and 2 story more than 10,000 square feet
$100
R-4
3 to 5 story less than 5,000 square feet per floor
$125
R-5
3 to 5 story more than 5,000 square feet less than 10,000 square feet per floor
$150
R-6
3 to 5 story over 10,000 square feet
$200
B. 
R-A uses shall be inspected and charged a fee only upon sale or change of tenant.
C. 
Uses not classified above that are subject to the Uniform Fire Code will be classified as business uses.
D. 
Uses required to register with the state as life hazard uses shall not be required to register under this section.
E. 
Unoccupied or vacant buildings will be charged and inspected in accordance with requirements of N.J.A.C. 5:70-2.7 and 5:70-2.9 according to the previous use of the buildings.
F. 
All residential uses except R-A uses shall be inspected in the common areas only.
A. 
The application fees for the permits listed in N.J.A.C. 5:70-2.7(b) and 5:70-2.9(c) shall be as provided by state regulation and are currently as follows:
Type 1
$54
Type 2
$214
Type 3
$427
Type 4
$641
B. 
The cost for the issuance of a certificate of Fire Code status shall be $35.
C. 
Borough events requiring a Type 1 permit shall be fee exempt.
[Added 10-27-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-039]
Fees for certificate of smoke alarm and carbon monoxide alarm and portable fire extinguisher compliance (CSACMAPFEC) as required by N.J.A.C. 5:70-2.3, shall be based upon the amount of time remaining before the change of occupant is expected, as follows:
A. 
Requests for CSACMAPFEC received more than 10 business days prior to the change of occupant: $45;
B. 
The application fee for a certificate of smoke detector and carbon monoxide alarm compliance requests for a CSACMAPFEC received four to 10 business days prior to the change of occupant: $90;
C. 
Requests for a CSACMAPFEC received fewer than four business days prior to the change of occupant: $161.
The fees established by this article may be periodically adjusted by resolution of the Borough Council to ensure compliance and consistency with N.J.A.C. 5:70-2.7 and 5:70-2.9.
Pursuant to Sections 15 and 17 of the Uniform Fire Safety Act,[1] any person aggrieved by any action of the local enforcing agency shall have the right to appeal to the Construction Board of Appeals of the County of Hunterdon.
[1]
Editor's Note: See N.J.S.A. 52:27D-192 et seq.
Enforcement, violations, and penalties shall be managed in conformity with the Uniform Fire Safety Act, the Uniform Fire Code and all other laws of the State of New Jersey.
The provisions of this article shall be read in conjunction with the provisions of the Fire Prevention Code of the Borough of High Bridge. If any inconsistencies exist between the contents of these two articles, the provisions governing the Uniform Fire Safety Code shall take precedence and be entitled to full force and effect.
The following ordinances or portions thereof are hereby repealed: §§ 180-10 through 180-19 and Ordinance No. 2019-020. The Borough shall also adopt any other necessary amendments to Chapter 180 to conform to the provisions in this article.
This article shall be effective upon passage and publication as required by law.