[1991 Code § 121-46; Ord. No. 823; Ord. No. 94-6; Ord. No. 2018-03]
Pursuant to N.J.S. 40:48-2.2(a), at least 30 days prior to the scheduled date of a new occupancy of any dwelling house which has been sold or is under contract to be sold, the seller or buyer thereof, or the authorized agent of either, shall apply to the Housing Office for a certificate stating that the building and premises comply with the requirements of this chapter. A Certificate of Compliance is still required for any dwelling house which has been sold and in which occupancy is not immediately planned. The new owner has to obtain the Certificate of Compliance within 10 business days after closing on the house. The Housing Inspector needs to determine the safety of the house and inform First Responders of any hazardous conditions in the dwelling unit. In the event occupancy is to take place more than 120 days after the issuance of the certificate, an additional inspection and new certificate shall be required prior to occupancy. No such dwelling shall be occupied prior to the issuance of such a certificate unless such occupancy is permitted in writing, on a temporary basis, by the Housing Inspector, for a term to be determined by him depending upon the particular circumstances of each case; provided, however, that such term shall not exceed a cumulative period of 120 days. The Housing Inspector may, upon receiving a written petition detailing unique circumstances, and upon good cause shown, permit an extension of the 120 day term for an additional 60 days. A dwelling house shall mean an owner-occupied single-family house or an owner-occupied dwelling unit in a building containing more than one owner-occupied dwelling unit, including a condominium unit. See § 13-8-1 for Certificate of Occupancy requirements for rental units.
[1991 Code § 121-47; Ord. No. 823; Ord. No. 94-6; Ord. No. 2004-31; Ord.
No. 2008-09; Ord. No. 2015-22; Ord. No. 2018-03]
The Housing Code Certificate required by § 13-7-1 hereof shall be secured from the Borough Housing Inspector. At the time of the fully completed application for such certificate, a fee of $100 shall be paid, if submitted a minimum of 10 business days prior to the closing date. For fully completed applications submitted less than 10 business days prior to the closing date, a fee of $150 shall be paid. For fully completed applications submitted less than five business days prior to the closing date, a fee of $200 shall be paid. The fee shall cover the application and initial inspection of the premises and the issuance of the Certificate. In the event that any additional inspections of the premises are required because of a failure of the owner to comply with the provisions of this chapter, an additional fee of $50 shall be paid for each additional inspection required. All fees shall be made payable to the Borough of Hightstown and be delivered to the Borough Offices and turned over to the Borough Treasurer. In the event of cancellation of a requested inspection, the Housing Department must be notified within 24 hours prior to the scheduled inspection time. Failure to do so will result in forfeiture of the inspection fee.
