[Ord. No. 2002-23; Ord. No. 2003-05; Ord. No. 2005-11; Ord. No. 2012-08; Ord. No. 2014-03; Ord. No. 2015-10; Ord. No. 2015-16; Ord. No. 2017-02; Ord. No. 2018-04]
Every residential and nonresidential building and the premises upon which it is situated in the Borough of Hightstown, previously or presently used or intended to be used for dwelling, commercial, business or industrial occupancy, 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 effective date of this code. 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.
[Ord. No. 2002-23; Ord. No. 2003-05; Ord. No. 2005-11; Ord. No. 2012-08; Ord. No. 2014-03; Ord. No. 2015-10; Ord. No. 2015-16; Ord. No. 2017-02; Ord. No. 2018-04]
No certificate of occupancy, as set forth in § 28-18-8 of the Revised General Ordinances of the Borough of Hightstown, shall be issued for any building unless it complies with the provisions of this Property Maintenance Code.
[Ord. No. 2002-23; Ord. No. 2003-05; Ord. No. 2005-11; Ord. No. 2012-08; Ord. No. 2014-03; Ord. No. 2015-10; Ord. No. 2015-16; Ord. No. 2017-02; Ord. No. 2018-04]
In any case where the provisions of this code impose a higher standard than set forth in any other ordinance of the Borough of Hightstown, or under the laws of the State of New Jersey, then the standards set forth herein shall prevail, but if the provisions of this code impose a lower standard than other ordinances of the Borough of Hightstown or of the laws of the State of New Jersey, then the higher standard contained in any such other ordinance or law shall prevail.
[Ord. No. 2002-23; Ord. No. 2003-05; Ord. No. 2005-11; Ord. No. 2012-08; Ord. No. 2014-03; Ord. No. 2015-10; Ord. No. 2015-16; Ord. No. 2017-02; Ord. No. 2018-04]
No certification of compliance with this code shall constitute a defense against any violation of any other ordinance of the Borough of Hightstown applicable to any structure or premises.
[Ord. No. 2002-23; Ord. No. 2003-05; Ord. No. 2005-11; Ord. No. 2012-08; Ord. No. 2014-03; Ord. No. 2015-10; Ord. No. 2015-16; Ord. No. 2017-02; Ord. No. 2018-04]
All conditions of approval incorporated in resolutions or other acts of the Hightstown Borough Council or of any duly constituted board or agency of the Borough of Hightstown shall be adhered to and shall be construed to be continuing conditions of approval. Any on-site improvements of every kind or nature including, without limitation, sidewalks, curbs, landscaping, catch basins, storm drains and driveways installed pursuant to the requirements of the Hightstown Borough Council or of any duly constituted board or agency of the Borough of Hightstown shall be maintained in good and serviceable condition at all times.
[Ord. No. 2002-23; Ord. No. 2003-05; Ord. No. 2005-11; Ord. No. 2012-08; Ord. No. 2014-03; Ord. No. 2015-10; Ord. No. 2015-16; Ord. No. 2017-02; Ord. No. 2018-04]
A. 
Owners and operators. Owners and operators shall have all the duties and responsibilities as prescribed in this code, and no owner or operator shall be relieved from any such duties and responsibilities 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.
B. 
Occupants. Occupants shall have all the duties and responsibilities as prescribed in this code, and the occupant shall not be relieved from any such duties and responsibilities nor be entitled to defend against any charge of violation thereof by reason of the fact that the owner or operator is also responsible therefor and in violation thereof.
C. 
Contracts not to alter responsibilities. 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 any agreement or contract by and between any of the aforesaid or between them and other parties.