[HISTORY: Derived from Ch. X, Sec. 10-17, of the Revised General Ordinances of the Borough of Fort Lee, 1978, adopted 3-1-1979; amended in its entirety 11-10-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-22. Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
A. 
No person shall occupy or use any portion of a commercial, industrial or residential building after such building or portion thereof has been vacated or sold, or in which there has been a change in occupancy, until the owner/landlord shall have applied for and secured a certificate of compliance therefor from the enforcement officer of the Borough of Fort Lee.
B. 
A property owner reoccupying a commercial, industrial or residential building previously occupied by a tenant shall be required to apply for and secure a certificate of compliance therefor; however, the application fee for same shall be waived.
Upon receipt by the enforcement officer of an application for a certificate of compliance upon his inspection payment of the requisite fee, the enforcement officer shall conduct an inspection of the premises in question to ensure compliance with applicable building, health, safety and fire codes, regulations, ordinances and statutes of the Borough of Fort Lee and State of New Jersey.
The enforcement officer shall issue a certificate of compliance upon his inspection and satisfaction that no violations of the aforementioned codes, regulations, ordinances and statutes exist. No certificate of compliance shall be issued for any dwelling unit in a structure used or intended for use for residential purposes unless the enforcement officer shall determine that the unit for which the certificate is sought is equipped with a carbon monoxide sensor device or devices, in proper working order, as required by Chapter 349, Article II, Carbon Monoxide Sensors, of this Code.
A. 
If violations are found to exist, there shall be no new occupancy or use of the premises until compliance with this chapter has been obtained. If compliance is not obtained within a reasonable time after inspection and notice, the enforcement officer is authorized to take appropriate legal action.
B. 
A property owner who allows his property to be occupied without first obtaining a certificate of compliance therefor shall receive a violation, the penalty for which shall not exceed $1,000.
The enforcement officer shall provide a form to be completed by each applicant. A fee of $100 shall accompany each application; provided, however, that the enforcement officer shall waive the fee if any inspection of the same premises has been made within 180 days. The application fee for a property owner reoccupying a commercial, industrial or residential building previously occupied by a tenant shall be waived.
The authority to make inspections for building, fire and safety violations as required by this chapter and to otherwise carry out the purpose and intent of this chapter shall be vested in the Construction Official and Fire Official of the Borough of Fort Lee.