[Amended in entirety 11-14-2022 by Ord. No. MC 2022-50. Prior history
includes MC 1978-20, § 1, Aug. 21, 1978; MC 1986-15, September
2, 1986; MC 1989-18, November 21, 1989; MC 1993-27, August 16, 1993;
MC 1994-10, July 18, 1994; MC 2004-26, September 7, 2004;MC 2004-36,
December 6, 2004; MC 2009-19, October 13, 2010; MC 2014-09, May 12,
2014; MC 2014-35, December 8, 2014; MC 2014-36, December 8, 2014;
and Ord. No. MC 2019-23, 9-9-2019.]
There is hereby adopted by the City of Plainfield a Property
Maintenance Code pursuant to the provisions of N.J.R.S. 40:49-51.
A copy of the code is annexed hereto and made a part hereof without
the inclusion of the text thereof herein.
The said code established and adopted by this article is described
and commonly known as "The Property Maintenance Code of the City of
Plainfield, New Jersey".
Three copies of "The Property Maintenance Code of the City of
Plainfield" will remain on file therein until final action is taken
on this article for the use and examination of the public.
Reserved.
Three copies shall remain on file in the office of the Clerk
of the City of Plainfield as long as this article is in effect, and
three copies shall remain on file in the office of the Chief Building
and Housing Inspector of the City of Plainfield as long as this article
is in effect, for the use and examination of the public.
This article and the code established therein shall take effect
on the first day of September 1978.
To the extent not expressly set forth herein, the City of Plainfield
hereby adopts and incorporates the provisions of the Abandoned Properties
Rehabilitation Act, N.J.S.A. 55:19-79 et seq., together with any amendments
or supplements thereto ("Abandoned Properties Act"), as if fully set
forth in this section.
(a)
The Public Officer is hereby directed to identify abandoned
properties in the City of Plainfield for the purpose of establishing
an abandoned property list. Each item of abandoned property so identified
shall include the tax block and lot number the name of the owner of
record, if known, and the street address of the property.
(b)
The list of abandoned properties shall be determined and maintained
by the Public Officer in accordance with the requirements of the Abandoned
Properties Act.
(c)
The Public Officer shall comply with the notification, filing
and publication requirements set forth in N.J.S.A. 55:19-55.
(a)
Except as provided in N.J.S.A. 55:19-83, any property that has
not been legally occupied for a period of six months and which meets
any one of the following additional criteria may be deemed to be abandoned
property upon a determination by the Public Officer that:
(1)
The property is in need of rehabilitation in the reasonable
judgment of the Public Officer and no rehabilitation has taken place
during that six month period;
(2)
Construction was initiated on the property and was discontinued
prior to completion, leaving the building unsuitable for occupancy,
and no construction has taken place for at least three months as of
the date of a determination by the Public Officer pursuant to this
section;
(3)
At least one installment of property tax remains unpaid and delinquent on that property in accordance with Chapter
4 of Title 54 of the Revised Statutes as of the date of a determination by the Public Officer pursuant to this section; or
(4)
The property has been determined to be a nuisance by the Public
Officer in accordance with N.J.S.A. 55:19-82.
(b)
The Public Officer's abandoned property list shall not include
any properties excluded under the provisions of the Abandoned Properties
Rehabilitation Act.
(c)
A determination that a property is abandoned property under
the provisions of N.J.S.A. 55:19-81 et al. shall not constitute a
finding that the use of the property has been abandoned for purposes
of municipal zoning or land use regulation.
(a)
Any interested party may submit in writing a request to the
Public Officer that a property be included on the abandoned property
list prepared pursuant to N.J.S.A. 55:19-55, specifying the street
address and block and lot number of the property to be included and
the grounds for its inclusion. Within 30 days of receipt of any such
request, the Public Officer shall provide a written response to the
party, either indicating that the property will be added to the list
of abandoned properties or, if not, the reasons for not adding the
property to the list. For the purposes of this section, "interested
party" shall include any resident of the City, any owner or operator
of a business within the City or any organization representing the
interests of residents or engaged in furthering the revitalization
and improvement of the neighborhood in which the property is located.
(b)
Any interested party may participate in any redetermination
hearing held by the Public Officer pursuant to N.J.S.A. 55:19-55.
Upon written request by any interested party, the Public Officer shall
provide the party with at least 20 days notice of any such hearing.
The party shall provide the Public Officer with notice at least 10
days before the hearing of its intention to participate, and the nature
of the testimony or other information that it proposes to submit at
the hearing.
The Public Officer is authorized to file complaints via a summary
action otherwise to transfer possession and control of abandoned property
in need of rehabilitation in the Superior Court. Said complaints shall
be filed, served and prosecuted in the manner required by law.
The Public Officer is further authorized to commence and maintain
such further proceedings required for the conservation, protection
or, disposal of the property or any part thereof that are required
to rehabilitate the property, necessary to recoup the cost and expenses
of rehabilitation, filing of municipal liens, and where appropriate
for the sale of the property subject to the requirements of N.J.S.A.
55:19-52. The City shall maintain, safeguard and maintain insurance
on property, but this shall not relieve the owner of any civil or
criminal liability or any duty imposed by reasons of acts or omissions
of the landlord.
(a)
The City may hold special tax sales with respect to those properties
eligible for tax sale pursuant. to N.J.S.A. 54:5-19 which are also
on the abandoned property list established by the City in accordance
with the requirements and procedures set forth in the Abandoned Properties
Act and N.J.S.A. 54:5-19.
(a)
The Public Officer shall maintain a register of all dwelling units of Registrable Properties in the City of Plainfield except for such units exempt from registration under subsection
(b)(1) below.
(b)
Registration: promulgation of rules.
(1)
Except for the governments of the United States and the State
of New Jersey and their instrumentalities, the owner or owners, a
creditor serving a summons and complaint in an action to foreclose
on a mortgage on residential or commercial property in the City of
Plainfield, regardless of occupancy, shall register it within 30 days
after serving of summons and complaint on the foreclosure action or
the date on which regulations are promulgated pursuant to this article.
(2)
For purposes of this section, the following terms are defined
as set forth herein:
OWNER
Shall include the title holder, any agent of the title holder
having authority to act with respect to a vacant property, any foreclosing
entity that has filed a notice with the Municipal Clerk pursuant to
the provisions of N.J.S.A. 46:10B-51 (P.L. 2008. c. 127, Sec. 17 as
amended by P.L. 2009 c. 296), a creditor serving a summons and complaint
in an action to foreclose on a mortgage on residential or commercial
property or any other entity determined by the City of Plainfield
to have authority to act with respect to the property.
REGISTRABLE PROPERTY
Shall mean:
(A)
Any Real Property located in the City, whether vacant or occupied,
that a complaint and summons has been filed with respect to foreclosure
on a mortgage, has had a lis pendens filed against it by the lender
holding a mortgage on the property, is subject to an ongoing Foreclosure
Action by the Mortgagee or Trustee and a Judgement has been entered,
or has been the subject of a Foreclosure sale where the title was
transferred to the beneficiary of a mortgage involved in the Foreclosure
and any properties transferred under a deed in lieu of foreclosure/sale.
The designation of a property as "registrable" shall remain in place
until such time as the property is sold to a nonrelated bona fide
purchaser in an arm's length transaction or the Foreclosure Action
has been dismissed and any Default on the mortgage has been cured;
or
(B)
Any property that is vacant for more than 30 days or any cancellation
of Utility or Service, whichever occurs first.
VACANT PROPERTY
Shall mean any parcel of land in the City that contains any
building or structure that is not lawfully occupied.
(3)
Registration.
(A)
Failure to receive notice by the municipality shall not constitute
grounds for failing to register the property.
(B)
Each property having a separate tax block and lot number shall
be registered separately.
(C)
The registration shall include the information required under
subsection (b)(5) of this section, the insurance certificate required
under subsection (b)(8) of this section, as well as any additional
information that the Director of Inspections may reasonably require.
(D)
The registration shall remain valid for one year from the date
of registration. The owner shall be required to renew the registration
annually as long as the building remains vacant property and shall
pay a registration or renewal fee in the amount prescribed in subsection
(b)(6) for each vacant property registered.
(E)
The Director of Community Development may establish, for purposes
of efficient administration, that all registrations shall be renewed
by a single date in each year which date shall be established by the
Director of Community Development. No pro-rates for registrations
will be given.
(F)
Restoration.
(i) Any owner of vacant property who plans to restore
the property to productive use and occupancy during the twelve-month
period following the date of the initial registration of the property
shall file a detailed statement of the owner's plans for restoration
of the property with the registration statement and shall be exempt
from payment of the registration fee but shall comply with all other
provisions of this section. In the event that the property has not
been restored to productive use and occupancy at the end of the twelve-month
period, the owner shall be liable for any fee waived. The Director
of Community Development may extend the waiver of the registration
fee for not more than one additional year in response to a written
request by the property owner where the Director of Community Development
finds that compelling conditions outside the owner's control made
it impossible for the owner to restore the property within the initial
twelve-month period.
(ii) Where the owner is an entity experienced in rehabilitation
or redevelopment of vacant properties, and where the property subject
to this section is being held for a project of rehabilitation or redevelopment
consistent with municipal plans and ordinances, and where by virtue
of financing, market or other conditions that project may require
more than one year for realization, the Director of Community Development
may extend the waiver of the registration fee on an annual basis without
limitation upon written request by the owner as long as he/she finds
that the owner is making reasonable progress toward completion of
the project.
(G)
The owner shall notify the Division of Community Development
within 30 days of any change in the registration information by filing
an amended registration statement on a form provided by the Director
of Inspections for such purpose.
(H)
The registration statement shall be deemed prima facie proof
of the statements therein contained in any administrative enforcement
proceeding or court proceeding instituted by the City against the
owner or owners of the building.
(4)
At any time after filing a registration statement or a renewal
of a registration statement, the owner of any vacant property shall
provide access to the City to conduct exterior and interior inspections
of the building to determine compliance with municipal codes, on reasonable
notice to the property owner or the designated agent.
(5)
Authorized agent and person responsible for maintenance.
(A)
The registration statement shall include the name, street address
and telephone number of a natural person 21 years of age or older,
designated by the owner or owners as the authorized agent for receiving
notices of code violations and for receiving process in any court
proceeding or administrative enforcement proceeding on behalf of such
owner or owners in connection with the enforcement of any applicable
code; and the name, street address and a telephone of the firm or
individual responsible for maintaining the property. The individual
or a representative of the firm responsible for maintaining the property
shall be available by telephone or in person on a 24 hour per day,
seven day per week basis. The two entities may be the same or different
persons. Both entities shown on the statement must maintain offices
in the State of New Jersey (or in the County of Union) or reside within
the State of New Jersey (or in the County of Union).
(B)
An owner who is a natural person and who meets the requirements
of this section with respect to the location of his or her residence
or workplace may designate him or herself as agent or as the individual
responsible for maintaining the property.
(C)
By designating an authorized agent under the provisions of this
section the owner consents to receive any and all notices of code
violations concerning the registered vacant property and all process
in any court proceeding or administrative enforcement proceeding brought
to enforce code provisions concerning the registered building by service
of the notice of process on the authorized agent. Any owner who has
designated an authorized agent under the provisions of this Section
shall be deemed to consent to the continuation of the agent's designation
for the purposes of this section until the owner notifies the Director
of Community Development in writing of a change of authorized agent
or until the owner files a new annual registration statement.
(D)
Any owner who fails to register a vacant property under the
provisions of this Section shall further be deemed to consent to receive,
by posting at the building, any and all notices of code violations
and all process in an administrative proceeding brought to enforce
code provisions concerning the building.
(6)
The registration and renewal fee for each building shall be
as follows:
(A)
At the time of the initial registration and at each annual registration,
a nonrefundable registration fee in the amount of $500 per property
and an additional $2,000 per property annually if the property is
vacant or abandoned pursuant to the definition in this article when
the summons and complaint in an action to foreclose is filed, or becomes
vacant or abandoned at any time thereafter while the property is in
foreclosure.
(B)
If the Foreclosing or Foreclosed Property is not registered,
or the registration fee is not paid within 30 days of when the registration
or renewal is required pursuant to this section, a late fee equivalent
to 10% of the Semi-Annual Registration fee shall be charged for every
thirty-day period, or portion thereof, the property is not registered
and shall be due and payable with the registration.
(C)
At the time of initial registration of a vacant property not
subject to foreclosure the following fees will apply:
Initial registration
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$500
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First renewal
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$1,500
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Second renewal
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$3,000
|
Any subsequent renewal
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$5,000
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(7)
The owner of any structure that has become vacant property and
any person responsible for maintaining any such building that has
become vacant shall within 30 days of the structure becoming vacant
or 30 days of the owner taking title to the property shall:
(A)
Enclose and secure the structure as provided in the applicable
codes of the City of Plainfield, or as set forth in rules and regulations
adopted by the City to supplement those codes;
(B)
Ensure that the grounds of the structure, including yards, fences,
sidewalks, walkways and driveways are well-maintained and free from
trash or debris;
(C)
Post a sign affixed to the structure indicating the name, address
and telephone number of the owner and the owner's authorized agent
for the purpose of service of process and the name address and telephone
number of the entity responsible for maintenance of the property which
may be the same as the owner or authorized agent. If the structure
is set back from the street the sign may be posted on a well-secured
post or stake in the front yard of the property. The sign shall be
at least 18 inches x 24 inches in dimension, shall include the words
"to report problems with this building, call...", and shall be placed
in a location where it is clearly legible from the nearest public
street or sidewalk, whichever is nearer; and
(D)
Maintain the structure in a secure and closed condition, keep
the grounds in a clean and well-maintained condition, and ensure that
the sign is visible and intact until the building is again occupied
or demolished or until repair or rehabilitation of the building is
complete.
(8)
The owner of any vacant property shall acquire or otherwise
maintain liability insurance in an amount of not less than $300,000
for buildings designed primarily for use as residential units and
not less than $1,000,000 for any other building, including, but not
limited to, buildings designed for manufacturing, industrial, storage
or commercial uses, covering any damage to any person or any property
caused by any physical condition of or in the building. Any insurance
policy acquired or renewed after the building has become vacant shall
provide for written notice to the Director of Community Development
within 30 days of any lapse, cancellation or change in coverage. The
owner shall attach evidence of the insurance to the owner's registration
statement. Any registration statement submitted that does not include
such evidence shall not be deemed to be a valid registration.
(9)
The Director of Health and Social Service and/or the Director
of Community Development may issue rules and regulations for the administration
of the provisions of this section.
(10)
Violations and penalties.
(A) Any person who violates any provision of this section
or of the rules and regulations issued hereunder shall be fined not
less than $500 and not more than $2,000 for each offense. Every day
that a violation continues shall constitute a separate and distinct
offense. Fines assessed under this article shall be recoverable from
the owner and shall be a lien on the property.
(B) For purposes of this section, failure to file a
registration statement within 30 days after a building becomes vacant
property or within 30 days after assuming ownership of a vacant property,
whichever is later, or within 10 days of receipt of notice by the
municipality, failure to provide correct information on the registration
statement, failure to comply with the provisions of subsections (b)(6)
or (b)(7) of this section, or such other matters as may be established
by the rules and regulations of The Director of Health and Social
Service and/or the Director of Community Development shall be deemed
to be violations of this section.
(a)
A creditor that serves a notice of intention to foreclose on
a mortgage on residential property in the City of Plainfield pursuant
to the "Fair Foreclosure Act." P.L. 1995. c. 244 (N.J.S.A. 2A:50-53
et seq.), shall serve the City Clerk with a copy of the notice at
the same time that the creditor serves the notice on the owner of
the property. The creditor shall include the full name and contact
information of a person located within the State of New Jersey who
is authorized to accept service on behalf of the creditor with a copy
of the notice served on the City Clerk.
(b)
If the residential property becomes vacant at any time after
the creditor files the notice of intention to foreclose, but prior
to vesting of title in any third party, the creditor shall register
the vacant property and pay the vacant property registration fee as
set forth in this article. If the City determines that the property
is in violation of any applicable State or local housing code, property
maintenance code or any other rule or regulation addressing the maintenance
of property within the City, the City shall notify the creditor of
the violation, by providing a copy of the notice to the person located
within the State who is authorized to accept service on behalf of
the creditor and may require the creditor to correct the violation.
(c)
The notice to correct a violation pursuant to this section shall
include a description of the conditions that gave rise to the violation
with the notice of violation and shall provide a period of not less
than 30 days from the creditor's receipt of the notice for the creditor
to remedy the violation. If the creditor fails to remedy the violation
within that time period, the City may impose penalties allowed for
the violation of municipal ordinances pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:49-5.
(d)
For purposes of this section "creditor" means a Federal or State
chartered bank, savings bank, savings and loan association or credit
union, any person required to be licensed under the provisions of
the "New Jersey Licensed Lenders Act" P.L. 1996, c. 157 (N.J.S.A.
17:11 C 1 et seq.), and any entity acting on behalf of the creditor
named in the debt obligation including but not limited to servicers.
(a)
Notification.
(1)
A creditor serving a summons and complaint in an action to foreclose
on a mortgage on property in the City of Plainfield shall, within
10 days of serving the summons and complaint, notify the City Clerk
that a summons and complaint in an action to foreclose on a mortgage
has been filed against the subject property. The creditor's notice
shall contain the name and contact information for the representative
of the creditor who is responsible for receiving complaints of property
maintenance and code violations, may contain information about more
than one property and shall be provided by mail or electronic communication
at the discretion of the City Clerk. The City Clerk shall forward
a copy of the notice to the public officer or shall otherwise provide
it to any other local official responsible for the administration
of any property maintenance or public nuisance code. In the event
the property being foreclosed on is an affordable unit pursuant to
the "Fair Housing Act." P.L. 1985, c. 222 (N.J.S.A. 52:27D-301, et
al), then the creditor shall identify that the property is subject
to the Fair Housing Act. The notice shall also include the street
address, lot and block number of the property, and the full name and
contact information of an individual located within the State who
is authorized to accept service on behalf of the creditor. The notice
shall be provided to the City Clerk within 10 days of service of a
summons and complaint in an action to foreclose on a mortgage against
the subject property.
(2)
Any creditor that has initiated a foreclosure proceeding on
any property which is pending in Superior Court shall provide to the
City Clerk a listing of all properties in the municipality for which
the creditor has foreclosure actions pending by street address and
lot and block number. The City Clerk shall forward a copy of the notice
to the public official.
(b)
If the owner of a property vacates or abandons any property
on which a foreclosure proceeding has been initiated or if a property
becomes vacant at any point subsequent to the creditor's filing the
summons and complaint in an action to foreclose on a mortgage against
the subject property, but prior to vesting of title in the creditor
or any other third party, the creditor shall register the property
and pay the applicable registration fee as set forth in this Chapter
and if the property is found to be a nuisance or in violation of any
applicable State or local code, the local public officer, City Clerk
or other authorized municipal official shall notify the creditor,
which shall have the responsibility to abate the nuisance or correct
the violation in the same manner and to the same extent as the title
owner of the property to such standard or specification as may be
required by State law or municipal ordinance.
The City shall include a description of the conditions that
gave rise to the violation with the notice of violation and shall
provide a period of not less than 30 days from the creditor's receipt
of the notice, or within 10 days of receipt of the notice if the violation
presents an imminent threat to public health and safety, for the creditor
to remedy the violation. If the creditor fails to remedy the violation
within that time period, the City may impose penalties allowed for
the violation of municipal ordinances pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:49-5.
(c)
If the City expends public funds in order to abate a nuisance or correct a violation on a property in situations in which the creditor was given notice pursuant to the provisions of subsection
(b) hereof, but failed to abate the nuisance or connect the violation as directed, the City shall have the same recourse against the creditor as it would have against the title owner of the property, including but not limited to, the recourse provided under section 23 of P.L. 200:3. c. 210 (N.J.S.A. 55:19-100) which recourse includes placement of a lien against the property and against any asset of the creditor, against any asset of the partner of a creditor, if a partnership, and against any asset of any owner of a 10% interest or greater if the creditor is a corporation.
(a) Subsection 4.17 Penalties, of Section 4. Administrative Provisions
of the Property Maintenance Code of the City of Plainfield is amended
and supplemented as follows:
Section 4.17 Penalties.
Fines. A violation of any section or subsection
of this Code shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed $2,000 for
each violation committed hereunder. Each violation of a section or
subsection of this Code shall constitute a separate and distinct violation
independent of any other section or subsection.
Additional Penalties. Where an owner, operator,
or occupant has been convicted of a violation of this Code and, within
12 months thereafter, has been found by the Judge of the Municipal
Court to be guilty of a second violation of this Code, the Court may,
if it finds that the second offense was willful and inexcusable, sentence
the offender, in addition to or in lien of the fine set forth in the
above paragraph, to imprisonment for a period of time not to exceed
90 days, and for the equivalent in community service.
Multiple Dwellings. Each dwelling unit of a
multiple dwelling shall be deemed separate and distinct offenses.
The term "multiple dwelling" shall mean any building or structure
of one or more stories and any land appurtenant thereto, in which
three or more units of dwelling space are occupied or intended to
be occupied by three or more persons who live independently of each
other.
Liability of Officers and Agents. Where the
defendant is other than a natural person or persons, this section
shall also apply to any agent, officer, member, or partner who shall
alone or with others have charge, care, or control of the premises.
(b) Amend and supplement Chapter
6. Property Maintenance Code Article 2. Section 2.22 as follows:
Heating Requirements. Except as hereinafter stated,
from October 1 of each year to the next succeeding May 1, the interior
of every dwelling unit or rooming unit, bathroom and water closet
compartment shall be maintained at least at sixty-eight degrees Fahrenheit
(68° F.) whenever the outside temperature falls below fifty-five
degrees Fahrenheit (55° F.) during the daytime hours from 6:00
a.m. in the morning and 11:00 p.m. in the evening. At times other
than those specified, interiors of units of dwelling space shall be
maintained at least at sixty-five degrees Fahrenheit (65° F.)
whenever the outside temperature falls below forty degrees Fahrenheit
(40° F.).
Except as hereinafter stated, from May 1 to October 1, every
dwelling unit, rooming unit, bathroom and water closet compartment
shall be maintained at a temperature of sixty-eight degrees Fahrenheit
(68° F.) during the daytime hours from 6:00 a.m. in the morning
and 11:00 p.m. in the evening whenever the outside temperature falls
below fifty-five degrees Fahrenheit (55° F.). At times other than
those specified, interiors of units of dwelling space shall be maintained
at least at sixty-five degrees Fahrenheit (65° F.) whenever the
outside temperature falls below forty degrees Fahrenheit (40°
F.)
In meeting the aforesaid standards, the owner shall not be responsible
for heat loss and the consequent drop in the interior temperature
arising out of action by the occupant in leaving windows or doors
open to the exterior of the building.
(c) Sec. 4.06(a) Notice of Procedure for Sections 2.01, 2.02, 2.03,
2.13 and 2.14. Written notice from the Public Officer for these
sections shall be by summons and complaint and shall be served on
the person or persons responsible for the correction thereof.
(d) Sec 4.07 Contents of Notice, Summons and Complaint. Except
as provided in 4.07(a) the notice, Summons and Complaint shall specify
the violation(s), what must be done to correct same, a reasonable
period of time not to exceed 30 days to correct or abate the violation(s)
unless extenuating circumstances warrant otherwise, the right of the
person served to request a hearing, and that the notice shall become
an order of the Public Officer in 10 days after service unless a hearing
is requested pursuant to Section 4.09.
(e) Sec 407(a) Contents of Notice, Summons end Complaint for Sections
2.01, 2.02, 2.03, 2.13, and 2.14. A violation notice, which
will be in the form of a summons and complaint, shall be mailed to
the owner of record. The notice shall specify the violations, what
must be done to correct same, a period of not less than five working
days to accomplish same, and Hearing provisions as prescribed in Section
4.09(a).
(f) Sec. 4.09(a) Hearing Procedure for Sections 2.01, 2.02, 2.03,
2.13, and 2.14. A property owner or agent may request a Hearing
on the violations charged. Said Hearing will be at the Plainfield
Municipal Court, 325 Watchung Avenue, Plainfield New Jersey, on the
date stated on the summons and complaint. However, it is incumbent
upon the property owner or agent to notify the Municipal Court Administrator
within five days of the Hearing date that they intend to appear in
Court and contest the violations.
(g) Sec 2.14 Garbage Removal. The owner or operator shall
have the duty and responsibility of removing garbage from the premises
no less than twice weekly.
(h) Sec 4.01(a) Agents. The Public Officer hereby supplements
its enforcement capabilities by designating the Director of the Department
of Public Works, The Director of Health and Social Services, The Public
Safety Director, The Health Officer of the Department of Health and
Social Services or their authorized representatives as its agents.
(i) Sec 4.17(a) Violation; Penalty-First Offense. Violations
of Sections 2.01, 2.02, 2.03, 2.13, and 2.14 as listed below shall
be punishable by fines of not less than the amounts listed below and
not more than $500.00 for the first offense as follows:
2.01
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Failure to remove trash and debris
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$150.00
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2.02
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Failure to cut and maintain lawn
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$150.00
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2.03
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Failure to remove abandoned/disabled vehicle
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$200.00
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2.13
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Improper garbage storage
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$150.00
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2.14
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Failure to provide garbage removal services no less than twice
weekly
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$150.00
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(j) Sec. 4.17(b) Violation; Penalty-Second Offense. Violations
of Sections 2.01, 2.02, 2.03, 2.13, and 2.14 as listed above shall
be punishable by fines of not less than $250 and not more than $750
for the second offense and/or not more than three days imprisonment
and/or the equivalent in community service.
(k) Sec 4.17(c) Violation; Penalty-Third and Subsequent Offenses. Violations of Sections 2.01, 2.02, 2.03, 2.13 and 2.14 as listed
above shall be punishable by fines of not less than $500 and not more
than $1,000 for a third offense and all offenses thereafter with a
term of imprisonment and/or the equivalent in community service of
not less than five days but not more than 10 days.
All fines are due and payable to the Division of Community Development,
515 Watchung Avenue, upon expiration of the violation notice. Failure
to pay fine and correct violation(s) will result in further Court
action.
(I)
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Sec 2.03 Parking or storage of motor vehicles on private property.
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(a)
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Findings. It is hereby determined and declared that the outdoor
storage, parking, repair, or accumulation of abandoned, wrecked, junked,
inoperable, unregistered, uninspected, damaged or inoperable motor
vehicles upon private property within the City is contrary and inimical
to the public welfare in that the exposure to view of such motor vehicles
or parts is detrimental to the surrounding neighborhood and the community
at large due to danger of injury and hazards to children and others
attracted to such vehicles, creation of unsightly and offensive views
for adjoining residents and property owners, creating unsafe and nuisance
conditions, and contributing to the devaluation of property values
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(b)
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No person shall place, abandon, leave, keep, park or maintain,
or permit the placing, abandoning, leaving, keeping, parking or maintaining
of any motor vehicle described below out of doors upon any private
land in the City of Plainfield for more than five days if said vehicle:
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(1)
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Does not have a current and valid registration and inspection
sticker, or
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(2)
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Does not have all of its main component parts attached, or
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(3)
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Is wrecked, junked, stripped, inoperable or in a state of disrepair
such that it is unsightly or unsafe, or
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(4)
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Is in such mechanical or physically damaged or deteriorating
condition that it could not be immediately operated in a safe manner
or if operated on a public roadway would be subject to a violation
of N.J.S.A. 39:3-44 (unsafe vehicle)
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(A)
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A motor vehicle shall be deemed "inoperable" where any of the
following conditions exist:
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(i)
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It is being dismantled for sale salvage, reclamation of parts,
or repair.
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(ii)
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It does not have all of its main component parts properly attached.
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(iii)
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Where any other additional conditions exist which cause the
vehicle to be incapable of being driven lawfully and safety under
its own power.
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(B)
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"Main component parts" means fenders, hood, wheels, radiator,
motor, windows, doors. Muffler, body or essential parts of the engine,
and all such other parts or equipment as are necessary for the vehicle
to be lawfully driven
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(c)
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Exceptions
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(1)
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Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the placing,
keeping or storage of a motor vehicle referenced above if said vehicle
is stored in an enclosed garage or building or no more than one such
vehicle per property is stored in the driveway or backyard of the
premises under a form fitting car cover specifically manufactured
and sold for the type of vehicle stored.
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(2)
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The provisions of this section shall also not apply to any lawfully
existing new or used car dealers or junkyard which otherwise complies
with all Federal, State and municipal laws, nor shall it apply to
the temporary storage of registered, insured vehicles awaiting repairs
at service stations.
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(d)
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Parking or storage of motor vehicles on public property. The
parking of storage of motor vehicles on public property shall be governed
by State law or as otherwise provided by City ordinance.
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Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:48-2.12f: by resolution of the City
Council, the City of Plainfield may attach a lien upon real property
to recover costs to abate a nuisance, correct a defect, or put a premises
in proper condition. A nuisance may include, but is not limited to,
property maintenance activities, law enforcement activities associated
with abandoned and foreclosed properties, and any other activities
reasonably related to the abatement of any nuisance created by abandoned
or foreclosed properties
Prior to the adoption of a resolution to attach a lien to real
property, a member of the administration with knowledge of the abatement
activities must furnish a certification setting forth the following:
(a) The activities performed;
(b) The reasonable cost of the activities performed; and
(c) Both the activities and costs were necessary and reasonable under
the circumstances.