[Added 8-26-1998 by Ord. No. 29-1998]
A. Certification of foundation. Upon completion of the
foundation of any building authorized by any permit and prior to approval
of said foundation, the holder of such permit shall provide the Construction
Official with a survey prepared by a New Jersey licensed surveyor
which shows the top of block elevation and the distance of the foundation
from each property line. No further construction of the structure
is to commence until such time as the elevation and location of the
foundation have been approved by the Construction Official, or his
designee.
B. As-built certification. Upon completion of the erection
or alteration of any building authorized by any permit and prior to
occupancy or use, the holder of such permit shall notify the Construction
Official of such completion. Permit holders completing new construction
shall submit to the Zoning Officer certification from a licensed New
Jersey licensed surveyor demonstrating compliance with approved finished
floor and site grading, height limitations, front, side and rear yard
setbacks and building coverage as set forth by this chapter, or any
modification of these limitations by variance granted by the Planning
Board or Zoning Board of Adjustment.
If at the time of the enactment of this chapter
any building is being used or any building is being constructed or
altered and is completed within three months thereafter, in a manner
or for a purpose which does not conform to the requirements of this
chapter, but which is not prohibited by any other existing ordinance
of the Township, such use, manner or purpose may be continued, nor
shall any change of the title or of right to possession affect such
continuation of an existing use.
No lot hereafter may be used and no building
or part thereof hereafter may be erected, constructed, reconstructed,
moved, extended, converted, altered, maintained or used except in
conformity with the provisions of this chapter.
[Amended 12-8-1982 by Ord. No. 71-1982]
Nothing in this chapter shall prevent the strengthening
or restoring to a safe or lawful condition any part of any building
declared unsafe or unlawful by the Zoning Officer or other duly authorized
Township officials.
A. No yard or other open space provided about any building
for the purpose of complying with the provisions of this chapter shall
be considered as providing a yard or open space for any other building.
B. All yard areas facing on a public street shall be
considered as front yards and shall conform to the minimum front yard
requirements for the particular zone.
C. Where a building lot has frontage upon a street, which
on the Master Plan or Official Map of the Township of Egg Harbor or
in the official plans of Atlantic County or of the State of New Jersey
is contemplated for right-of-way widening, the required front yard
shall be measured from such proposed future right-of-way.
D. The width of any lot measured at the front property
line coexistent with a street line shall be no less than 2/3 of the
minimum required lot width as set forth in the schedule.
E. Every part of a required yard shall be open and unobstructed
from its lowest level to the sky, except for the ordinary projections
allowed by the State Uniform Construction Code, including but not
limited to sills, belt courses, chimneys, flues, buttresses, ornamental
features and eaves; provided, however, that none of the aforesaid
projections shall project into the minimum required yards more than
24 inches, unless otherwise permitted by this chapter. Unroofed entrance
porches or terraces, which do not rise above the height of the floor
level of the ground floor, may extend into any yard, provided that
the total area of all such porches, which extend into such yards,
does not exceed 1,000 square feet.
[Added 6-8-1994 by Ord. No. 25-1994]
A. An accessory building attached to the principal building
shall comply in all respects with the yard requirements of this chapter
in respect to the principal building. Detached accessory buildings
shall be located to the rear of the front building line of the principal
building and shall conform to the yard requirements in respect to
accessory buildings as set forth in the schedule.
B. No garage that is an accessory use to a residential
building in any zone shall be used for living quarters wherein said
garage is detached from the main living quarters of the main house.
A. No lot shall have erected upon it more than one principal single-family residential building. Within the Pinelands Area, no more than one principal use shall be located on any one lot, except for forestry, agriculture, fish and wildlife management, wetlands management, and recreational development on agricultural lands. Outside the Pinelands Area, multiple permitted principal uses are permitted in the commercial and industrial zoning districts as long as approval is granted in accordance with Article
XI of this chapter.
[Amended 7-14-1993 by Ord. No. 30-1993; 6-20-2012 by Ord. No.
27-2012; 12-18-2013 by Ord. No. 44-2013]
C. The area of a lot shall include only land areas above
mean high tide sea level. Further, no land area within a public right-of-way,
regardless of deed description, shall be included as part of the lot
area.
D. All land classified as floodplain and/or tidelands
as shown on United States Department of Agriculture Soils Surveys
of Egg Harbor and/or Department of Environmental Protection Water
Policy Maps shall require Environmental Protection Agency development
approval prior to issuance of a building permit for affected lands.
E. All private schools, as defined herein by §
225-3, shall be located on a lot of no less than five acres and shall have direct access to a street classified as other than a local street in the adopted Master Plan of Egg Harbor Township. Further, all private schools shall comply, where applicable, to the New Jersey Department of Education standards for public schools.
[Added 5-23-1984 by Ord. No. 17-1984]
F. Prior to the issuance of a permit for the erection of any building or structure, the permit applicant must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Construction Official that the lot abuts a public street which meets the requirements of N.J.S.A. 40:55D-35. In addition, such street shall have been certified to be suitably improved in accordance with §
94-46 of the Egg Harbor Township Code for a distance which corresponds to the required minimum lot width for the zone in which the lot is located, or to the driveway for the proposed structure, whichever is greater. In lieu of the street improvement, the applicant may post a performance guaranty in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40:55D-35 to ensure the required road improvements.
[Added 5-10-2000 by Ord. No. 16-2000]
A. The limitations on signs as set forth for the various
zones by this chapter shall not apply to any sign or directional device
erected by the federal, state, county or Township government, or agency
thereof, nor to any "no trespassing" sign erected in accordance with
the applicable statutes of the State of New Jersey.
B. The limitations on sign location and area as set forth
by this chapter for the business and light industry zones shall not
apply to parking lot markers, directional signs and entrance and exit
signs which are erected on the premises, provided that each such sign
does not exceed two square feet in area and does not contain any advertising
of the use on the premises, and further provided that the number and
location of said signs are approved by the Planning Board.
[Added 10-11-2006 by Ord. No. 51-2006]
The following provisions shall not apply to
the required screening of storage or similar areas for business or
industrial uses:
A. The installation of any fence, except for a living
hedge, shall require the submission of an application and procurement
of a permit from the Zoning Officer in accordance with the requirements
of this section.
B. All applications for a fence permit shall be accompanied
by a drawing of the proposed fence design which meets the following
standards and provides the following information:
(1)
The drawing shall be neatly and accurately drawn
at an appropriate scale of not more than 20 feet to the inch.
(2)
The drawing shall show all dimensions and shall
be clearly labeled.
(3)
The drawing shall include the location of any
and all underground utilities on the affected property.
C. Fences may be erected, altered or reconstructed to
a height not to exceed four feet above ground level when located within
25 feet of a right-of-way. When located more than 25 feet from a right-of-way,
fences shall not exceed a height of six feet.
D. Fences located within 25 feet of a right-of-way shall
be constructed in such a manner as to provide at least fifty-percent
open space.
E. Fences on lagoon properties shall be constructed with
fifty-percent open space for a minimum distance of at least 15 feet
from any bulkhead or rear property line along the side line or side
yard of any residential lot so as not to obstruct the view of the
lagoon. The entire rear line or rear yard fence shall also be fifty-percent
open. All living fences and hedges shall adhere to the above-stated
fifteen-foot side line regulations and shall not be constructed (planted)
in a continuous manner.
F. The foregoing restrictions shall not be applied so
as to prevent the erection of an open wire fence not exceeding eight
feet above ground level anywhere within a public park, public playground,
school premises or commercial zone.
G. All fences must be erected within the property lines,
and no fences shall be erected so as to encroach upon adjacent properties
or public rights-of-way. Fence gates shall be designed to prevent
the open swing of the gate from encroaching upon adjacent properties
or public rights-of-way.
H. All fences must be constructed with the face, or finished
side, away from the property and the structural side toward the interior
of the lot(s) on which it is erected.
I. All fencing shall be in conformance with the requirements for visibility at intersections listed in §
225-15 of this chapter.
J. Living fences, hedges or screen plantings shall be
planted no closer than three feet to a property line and shall be
maintained in a neatly trimmed condition on the property so planted.
K. All fences and walls shall be maintained in a safe,
sound and upright condition.
L. If the Zoning Officer, upon inspection, determines
that any fence or portion thereof is not being maintained in a safe,
sound or upright condition, he shall notify the owner of such fence,
in writing, of his findings and state briefly the reasons for such
findings and order such fence repaired or removed within 30 days of
the date of the written notice.
M. Fencing may not be erected in any yard if it acts
to inhibit access to Township fire, police and emergency medical services.
N. These restrictions shall not be applied so as to restrict
the erection of a wall for the purpose of retaining earth.
O. These restrictions shall not be applied so as to restrict
the erection, alteration or reconstruction of fences used in connection
with farms and farm operations except insofar as such fences might
affect the public safety.
P. Temporary fences such as snow fences, expandable fences,
collapsible fences, canvas and cloth fences may be permitted upon
a determination by the Zoning Officer that such fencing is necessary
to inhibit the dispersal of airborne material during construction
activity.
Q. The following fences are prohibited in all residential districts except when constructed as per Subsection
O above:
(4)
Other similar type fences.
R. Adequate
fences and other safety devices must be provided as may be required.
Fences, when used to enclose public utility facilities, shall be built
in accordance with the applicable requirements of the New Jersey Board
of Public Utilities Commissioners and the National Electrical Code
in effect at the time of construction, and such fences may not exceed
a maximum height of 15 feet above grade.
[Added 7-21-2021 by Ord. No. 28-2021]
At the intersection or interception of two or
more streets, no new hedge, fence or wall, other than a single post
or tree not exceeding one square foot in cross-section area, which
is higher than three feet above curb level, nor any obstruction to
vision, shall be permitted in the triangular area formed by the intersecting
street lines and a line joining points each 25 feet distant from said
intersection along said street lines.
Commercial uses in the business zones may display
goods for sales purposes or store goods for sale on the premises outside
of the principal structure in which such use is carried on, provided
that such outdoor selling or storage areas shall not encroach upon
any of the required yard areas or the required off-street parking
areas for the zone in which located, and further provided that the
area set aside for such outdoor selling or storage shall not exceed
an area equal to the gross area of the ground floor of the principal
building. In calculation of the percentage area, the area of such
outdoor selling or storage areas shall be included in the same manner
as the area of the principal building. The area to be used for any
such outdoor selling or storage areas shall be appropriately set forth
at the time of application for a zoning permit. Any subsequent establishment
or relocation of such areas shall be subject to the issuance of a
supplementary zoning permit.
A. No horse training corral or barnyard for the keeping
or training of riding horses for hire shall be permitted to be located
or established within 250 feet of any existing private dwelling not
located on the lot used for the aforesaid purposes, the further provided
that no more than two horses per acre shall be pastured or stabled
at the premises.
B. Keeping of horses shall be permitted as an accessory
use in the RA, R-1, R-1 (PUD) and R-2 Residential Districts. No more
than two horses per acre shall be permitted on such parcel of land,
and further provided that no horses shall be permitted on a lot of
less than 20,000 square feet.
C. The keeping of horses, cows and sheep on a lot whose principal use is a single-family dwelling shall be permitted in any zone, provided that the lot area is 40,000 square feet or more, except as permitted in §
225-17B, and that no more than two such animals are kept at the premises and that a barn or shed to house such animals is not less than 50 feet from any lot line.
[Added 2-24-1993 by Ord. No. 9-1993]
The following uses and activities are specifically
prohibited in all zones of Egg Harbor Township:
A. The use of a lot in any zone primarily for the storage
of bulk oil or gasoline above the ground.
B. The business of selling used lumber, building materials
and defunct motor vehicles or parts thereof; the storage of used lumber
and building materials.
[Amended 12-23-1996 by Ord. No. 42-1996]
C. Junkyards, automobile wrecking yards or disassembly
yards or the sorting or baling of scrap metal, paper, rags or other
scrap material.
D. Any use which emits excessive or objectionable amounts
of dust, fumes, noise, odor, smoke, vibration or waste products.
E. Gravel pits or sand mines.
F. Dismantling of motor vehicles and/or machinery by
burning.
G. Piggeries or the business of raising pigs.
H. The manufacture of explosives, volatile chemicals
or any uses which would produce similar hazard or nuisance, such as
but not limited to the following industrial uses:
|
Abattoir
|
|
Acetylene gas manufacture and/or storage
|
|
Acid manufacture (hydrochloric, nitric, acrid,
sulfuric, sulfonic, carbolic)
|
|
Ammonia, bleaching powder or chlorine manufacture
|
|
Arsenal
|
|
Asphalt manufacture or refining
|
|
Blast furnace
|
|
Blooming mill
|
|
Celluloid manufacture
|
|
Coal distillation
|
|
Coke ovens
|
|
Creosote treatment or manufacture
|
|
Dead animal and offal reduction
|
|
Distillation of bones, coal, petroleum, refuse
grain or wood
|
|
Distillation of tar
|
|
Explosives, fireworks and gun powder manufacture
or storage
|
|
Fat rendering
|
|
Fertilizer manufacture
|
|
Forge plant
|
|
Incineration, reduction, storage or dumping
of slaughterhouse refuse, rancid fats, garbage, dead animals or offal
|
|
Lime, gypsum, plaster of paris manufacture
|
|
Oil cloth or linoleum manufacture
|
|
Ore reduction
|
|
Petroleum or kerosene refining, distillation
or derivation of by products and/or storage
|
|
Potash works
|
|
Rolling mill
|
|
Rubber treatment or reclaiming plant
|
|
Signs or similar devices which move or have
moving parts or moving lights or any light or part simulating movement
|
|
Steel furnace
|
|
Stockyards
|
|
Use of any premises or building in such a manner
that the health, morals, safety or welfare of the community may be
endangered
|
No persons, firm or corporation shall strip,
excavate or otherwise remove topsoil for sale or for use other than
on the premises from which the same shall be taken except in connection
with the construction or alteration of a building on such premises
and excavating or grading incidental thereto.
[Amended 11-2-2022 by Ord. No. 40-2022]
A. No motor
vehicle truck bodies, bus bodies or other temporary structures shall
be placed on any lot or lots in any zone for any purpose whatsoever
except during the period of construction of a principal building on
the same lot or lots.
B. All basketball
hoops and backboards in front yard areas shall be permitted on the
front of the building or on a pole on the driveway only. Permanent
basketball poles shall be located no closer than 10 feet to any property
line.
C. No sporting
equipment of any type is permitted to be within the public streets,
highways and/or rights-of-way within the Township.
[Added 5-28-2008 by Ord. No. 18-2008]
Any variance from the terms of this chapter hereafter granted
permitting the erection or alteration of any structure or structures,
or permitting a specified use of any premises, shall expire by limitation
unless such construction or alteration shall have been actually commenced
on each and every structure permitted by said variance, or unless
such permitted use has actually been commenced, within 18 months from
the date of entry of the judgment or determination of the Board; except,
however, that the running of the period of limitation herein provided
shall be tolled from the date of filing an appeal from the decision
of the Board to a court of competent jurisdiction, until the termination
in any manner of such appeal or proceeding.
[Amended 2-24-1993 by Ord. No. 9-1993; 7-14-1993 by Ord. No. 30-1993]
Public utility installations, public services,
distribution lines and mains, and substations less than 400 square
feet in floor area, but not including equipment material storage yards
and maintenance facilities, shall be permitted uses in all zoning
districts, subject to applicable state and federal regulations.
Regardless of whether the Township or any duly
constituted board, agency or department thereof is acting in or pursuant
to the performance of a governmental function carrying out a legislative
mandate or in the exercise of its private right as a corporate body,
any municipally owned, operated or controlled building, structure,
facility or use, either existing or proposed, shall be permitted in
any class of zone, it being the intention that whatever the Township
may be authorized to do shall constitute a function of government
and that whenever the Township shall act pursuant to granted authority,
it acts as government and not as a private entrepreneur.
[Amended 2-24-1993 by Ord. No. 9-1993]
Uses shall comply with performance standards set forth in Article
X of this chapter and all relevant design and performance standards set forth in Chapter
94 of the Township Code.
[Amended 12-8-1982 by Ord. No. 71-1982; 2-23-1983 by Ord. No. 5-1983; 10-8-1986 by Ord. No. 39-1986; 2-24-1993 by Ord. No. 9-1993]
A. A site plan shall be required in accordance with the procedures, conditions and regulations as set forth in Article
XI of this chapter for all buildings except single-family dwellings, two-family dwellings, farm buildings or for such accessory uses as a private garage, private swimming pool or toolhouse. A site plan shall be required for the land disturbance of any area in excess of 5,000 square feet for the purpose of excavation, soil removal, site clearing or filling of land contemplated for development, excluding agricultural purposes. Additions to residential uses for professional home offices shall require site plan approval. All volunteer fire companies, ambulance and rescue squads of the Township of Egg Harbor shall not have to satisfy site plan requirements.
B. No development involving the use of Pinelands development credits shall be approved until the developer has provided the Commission and the approving authority with evidence of his ownership and redemption of the requisite Pinelands development credits; provided, however, that the approving authority may grant general development plan, preliminary subdivision or site plan approval conditioned upon such evidence being presented as a prerequisite to final subdivision or site plan approval. For such a final subdivision or site plan, the developer shall provide evidence of Pinelands development credit ownership and redemption to secure the same proportion of lots or residential units as was approved for Pinelands development credit use in the preliminary approval or, as appropriate, the general development plan. Notification of any such development approval shall be made to the Pinelands Commission pursuant to §
225-53.4 and to the New Jersey Pinelands Development Credit Bank in accordance with N.J.A.C. 3:42-3. Redemption of the requisite Pinelands development credits shall occur in accordance with N.J.A.C. 3:42-3.6, prior to the memorialization of the resolution granting final subdivision or site plan approval or, if no such approval is required, prior to the issuance of any construction permits.
[Amended 5-23-2001 by Ord. No. 17-2001]
[Added 3-14-2007 by Ord. No. 11-2007; amended 12-22-2008 by Ord. No.
61-2008]
A. Purpose.
(1)
In Holmdel Builder's Association v. Holmdel Township, 121 N.J.
550 (1990), the New Jersey Supreme Court determined that mandatory
development fees are authorized by the Fair Housing Act of 1985 (the
Act), N.J.S.A. 52:27d-301 et seq., and the State Constitution, subject
to the Council on Affordable Housing's (COAH's) adoption of rules.
(2)
Pursuant to P.L. 2008, c. 46 section 8 (N.J.S.A. 52:27D-329.2)
and the Statewide Non-Residential Development Fee Act (N.J.S.A. 40:55D-8.1
through 8.7), COAH is authorized to adopt and promulgate regulations
necessary for the establishment, implementation, review, monitoring
and enforcement of municipal affordable housing trust funds and corresponding
spending plans. Municipalities that are under the jurisdiction of
the Council or court of competent jurisdiction and have a COAH-approved
spending plan may retain fees collected from nonresidential development.
(3)
This section establishes standards for the collection, maintenance,
and expenditure of development fees pursuant to COAH's regulations
and in accordance with P.L. 2008, c. 46, Sections 8 and 32 through
38. Fees collected pursuant to this section shall be used for the
sole purpose of providing low- and moderate-income housing. This section
shall be interpreted within the framework of COAH's rules on development
fees, codified at N.J.A.C. 5:97-8.
B. Basic requirements.
(1)
The Township of Egg Harbor shall not impose development fees
on any applicant pursuant to this section until COAH or a court has
approved the Development Fee Ordinance pursuant to N.J.A.C. 5:96-5.1,
except that residential fees may be collected pursuant to the previously
approved fee ordinance until such time as this section takes effect,
and nonresidential fees shall be collected in accordance with the
Statewide Non-Residential Development Fee Act, N.J.S.A. 40:55D-8.1
et seq.
(2)
The Township of Egg Harbor shall not spend development fees
until COAH or a court has approved a plan for spending such fees in
conformance with N.J.A.C. 5:97-8.10 and N.J.A.C. 5:96-5.3.
C. Definitions. The following terms, as used in this section, shall
have the following meanings:
AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT
A development included in the Housing Element and Fair Share
Plan, and includes, but is not limited to, an inclusionary development,
a municipal construction project or a one-hundred-percent affordable
development.
COAH or the COUNCIL
The New Jersey Council on Affordable Housing established
under the Act which has primary jurisdiction for the administration
of housing obligations in accordance with sound regional planning
consideration in the state.
DEVELOPER
The legal or beneficial owner or owners of a lot or of any
land proposed to be included in a proposed development, including
the holder of an option or contract to purchase, or other person having
an enforceable proprietary interest in such land.
DEVELOPMENT FEE
Money paid by a developer for the improvement of property
as permitted in N.J.A.C. 5:97-8.3.
EQUALIZED ASSESSED VALUE
The assessed value of a property divided by the current average
ratio of assessed-to-true value for the municipality in which the
property is situated, as determined in accordance with sections 1,
5, and 6 of P.L. 1973, c. 123 (N.J.S.A. 54:1-35a through 54:1-35c).
GREEN BUILDING STRATEGIES
Those strategies that minimize the impact of development
on the environment, and enhance the health, safety and well-being
of residents by producing durable, low-maintenance, resource-efficient
housing while making optimum use of existing infrastructure and community
services.
D. Residential development fees.
(1)
Imposed fees.
(a)
All residential developers, except for developers of the types
of development specifically exempted below, shall pay a fee of 1 1/2%
of the equalized assessed value for residential development, provided
no increased density is permitted.
(b)
When an increase in residential density pursuant to N.J.S.A.
40:55D-70d(5) (known as a "d" variance) has been permitted, developers
may be required to pay a development fee of up to 6% of the equalized
assessed value for each additional unit that may be realized. However,
if the zoning on a site has changed during the two-year period preceding
the filing of such a variance application, the base density for the
purposes of calculating the bonus development fee shall be the highest
density permitted by right during the two-year period preceding the
filing of the variance application.
(c)
Example: If an approval allows four units to be constructed
on a site that was zoned for two units, the fees could equal 1 1/2%
of the equalized assessed value on the first two units; and the specified
higher percentage up to 6% of the equalized assessed value for the
two additional units, provided zoning on the site has not changed
during the two-year period preceding the filing of such a variance
application.
(2)
Eligible exactions, ineligible exactions and exemptions for
residential development.
(a)
Affordable housing developments and developments where the developer
has made a payment in lieu of on-site construction of affordable units
shall be exempt from development fees.
(b)
Developments that have received preliminary or final site plan
approval prior to the adoption of a municipal development fee ordinance
shall be exempt from development fees, unless the developer seeks
a substantial change in the approval, or said approval expires without
an extension granted by the respective review board. A substantial
change to the general terms and conditions for which preliminary approval
was granted includes but is not limited to use; layout of streets,
curbs and sidewalks, lot size, yard dimensions and off-tract improvements;
and, in the case of site plan, any conditions peculiar to site plan
approval. Where a site plan approval does not apply, a zoning and/or
building permit shall be synonymous with preliminary or final site
plan approval for this purpose. The fee percentage shall be vested
on the date that the building permit is issued.
(c)
Development fees shall be imposed and collected when an existing
structure undergoes a change to a more intense use, is demolished
and replaced, or is expanded, if the expansion is not otherwise exempt
from the development fee requirement. The development fee shall be
calculated on the increase in the equalized assessed value of the
improved structure.
(d)
Developers of one single-family dwelling unit demolished and
replaced as a result of a natural disaster or as a result of an on-site
residential demolition permit shall be exempt from paying a development
fee.
(e)
The expansion or addition to a single-family dwelling, including
in-law apartments shall be exempt from paying a development fee.
E. Nonresidential development fees.
(1)
Imposed fees.
(a)
Within all zoning districts, nonresidential developers, except
for developers of the types of development specifically exempted,
shall pay a fee equal to 2.5% of the equalized assessed value of the
land and improvements, for all new nonresidential construction on
an unimproved lot or lots.
(b)
Nonresidential developers, except for developers of the types
of development specifically exempted, shall also pay a fee equal to
2 1/2% of the increase in equalized assessed value resulting
from any additions to existing structures to be used for nonresidential
purposes.
(c)
Development fees shall be imposed and collected when an existing
structure is demolished and replaced. The development fee of 2 1/2%
shall be calculated on the difference between the equalized assessed
value of the preexisting land and improvement and the equalized assessed
value of the newly improved structure, i.e. land and improvement,
at the time final certificate of occupancy is issued. If the calculation
required under this section results in a negative number, the nonresidential
development fee shall be zero.
(2)
Eligible exactions, ineligible exactions and exemptions for
nonresidential development.
(a)
The nonresidential portion of a mixed-use inclusionary or market-rate
development shall be subject to the development fee of 2 1/2%,
unless otherwise exempted below.
(b)
The development fee of 2 1/2% shall not apply to an increase
in equalized assessed value resulting from alterations, change in
use within existing footprint, reconstruction, renovations and repairs.
(c)
Nonresidential developments shall be exempt from the payment
of nonresidential development fees in accordance with the exemptions
required pursuant to P.L. 2008, c. 46, as specified in the Form N-RDF
"State of New Jersey Non-Residential Development Certification/Exemption."
Any exemption claimed by a developer shall be substantiated by that
developer.
(d)
A developer of a nonresidential development exempted from the
nonresidential development fee pursuant to P.L. 2008, c. 46, shall
be subject to it at such time the basis for the exemption no longer
applies, and shall make the payment of the nonresidential development
fee, in that event, within three years after that event or after the
issuance of the final certificate of occupancy of the nonresidential
development, whichever is later.
(e)
If a property which was exempted from the collection of a nonresidential
development fee thereafter ceases to be exempt from property taxation,
the owner of the property shall remit the fees required pursuant to
this section within 45 days of the termination of the property tax
exemption. Unpaid nonresidential development fees under these circumstances
may be enforceable by the Township of Egg Harbor as a lien against
the real property of the owner.
F. Collection procedures.
(1)
Upon the granting of a preliminary, final or other applicable
approval for a development, the applicable approving authority shall
direct its staff to notify the construction official responsible for
the issuance of a building permit.
(2)
For nonresidential developments only, the developer shall also
be provided with a copy of Form N-RDF "State of New Jersey Non-Residential
Development Certification/Exemption" to be completed as per the instructions
provided. The developer of a nonresidential development shall complete
Form N-RDF as per the instructions provided. The construction official
shall verify the information submitted by the nonresidential developer
as per the instructions provided in the Form N-RDF. The Tax Assessor
shall verify exemptions and prepare estimated and final assessments
as per the instructions provided in Form N-RDF.
(3)
The construction official responsible for the issuance of a
building permit shall notify the local Tax Assessor of the issuance
of the first building permit for a development which is subject to
a development fee.
(4)
Within 90 days of receipt of that notice, the Municipal Tax
Assessor, based on the plans filed, shall provide an estimate of the
equalized assessed value of the development.
(5)
The construction official responsible for the issuance of a
final certificate of occupancy notifies the local Assessor of any
and all requests for the scheduling of a final inspection on property
which is subject to a development fee.
(6)
Within 10 business days of a request for the scheduling of a
final inspection, the Municipal Assessor shall confirm or modify the
previously estimated equalized assessed value of the improvements
of the development; calculate the development fee; and thereafter
notify the developer of the amount of the fee.
(7)
Should the Township of Egg Harbor fail to determine or notify
the developer of the amount of the development fee within 10 business
days of the request for final inspection, the developer may estimate
the amount due and pay that estimated amount consistent with the dispute
process set forth in subsection b. of section 37 of P.L. 2008, c.
46 (N.J.S.A. 40:55D-8.6).
(8)
Fifty percent of the development fee shall be collected at the
time of issuance of the building permit. The remaining portion shall
be collected at the issuance of the certificate of occupancy. The
developer shall be responsible for paying the difference between the
fee calculated at building permit and that determined at issuance
of certificate of occupancy.
(9)
Appeal of development fees.
(a)
A developer may challenge residential development fees imposed
by filing a challenge with the County Board of Taxation. Pending a
review and determination by the Board, collected fees shall be placed
in an interest-bearing escrow account by Egg Harbor Township. Appeals
from a determination of the Board may be made to the Tax Court in
accordance with the provisions of the State Tax Uniform Procedure
Law, N.J.S.A. 54:48-1 et seq., within 90 days after the date of such
determination. Interest earned on amounts escrowed shall be credited
to the prevailing party.
(b)
A developer may challenge nonresidential development fees imposed
by filing a challenge with the Director of the Division of Taxation.
Pending a review and determination by the Director, which shall be
made within 45 days of receipt of the challenge, collected fees shall
be placed in an interest-bearing escrow account by Egg Harbor Township.
Appeals from a determination of the Director may be made to the Tax
Court in accordance with the provisions of the State Tax Uniform Procedure
Law, N.J.S.A. 54:48-1 et seq., within 90 days after the date of such
determination. Interest earned on amounts escrowed shall be credited
to the prevailing party.
G. Affordable Housing Trust Fund.
(1)
There is hereby created a separate, interest-bearing housing
trust fund to be maintained by the chief financial officer of the
Township of Egg Harbor for the purpose of depositing development fees
collected from residential and nonresidential developers and proceeds
from the sale of units with extinguished controls.
(2)
The following additional funds shall be deposited in the Affordable
Housing Trust Fund and shall at all times be identifiable by source
and amount:
(a) Payments in lieu of on-site construction of affordable units;
(b) Developer-contributed funds to make 10% of the adaptable entrances
in a townhouse or other multistory attached development accessible;
(c)
Rental income from municipally operated units;
(d)
Repayments from affordable housing program loans;
(f)
Proceeds from the sale of affordable units; and
(g)
Any other funds collected in connection with Township of Egg
Harbor's affordable housing program.
(3)
Within seven days from the opening of the trust fund account,
the Township of Egg Harbor shall provide COAH with written authorization,
in the form of a three-party escrow agreement between the municipality,
Sun National Bank, and COAH to permit COAH to direct the disbursement
of the funds as provided for in N.J.A.C. 5:97-8.13(b).
(4)
All interest accrued in the housing trust fund shall only be
used on eligible affordable housing activities approved by COAH or
the court.
H. Use of funds.
(1)
The expenditure of all funds shall conform to a spending plan
approved by COAH or the court. Funds deposited in the housing trust
fund may be used for any activity approved by COAH or the court to
address the Township of Egg Harbor's fair share obligation and may
be set up as a grant or revolving loan program. Such activities include,
but are not limited to, preservation or purchase of housing for the
purpose of maintaining or implementing affordability controls, rehabilitation,
new construction of affordable housing units and related costs, accessory
apartment, market to affordable, or regional housing partnership programs,
conversion of existing nonresidential buildings to create new affordable
units, green building strategies designed to be cost saving and in
accordance with accepted national or state standards, purchase of
land for affordable housing, improvement of land to be used for affordable
housing, extensions or improvements of roads and infrastructure to
affordable housing sites, financial assistance designed to increase
affordability, administration necessary for implementation of the
Housing Element and Fair Share Plan, or any other activity as permitted
pursuant to N.J.A.C. 5:97-8.7 through 8.9 and specified in the approved
spending plan.
(2)
Funds shall not be expended to reimburse the Township of Egg
Harbor for past housing activities.
(3)
At least 30% of all development fees collected and interest
earned shall be used to provide affordability assistance to low- and
moderate-income households in affordable units included in the municipal
Fair Share Plan. One-third of the affordability assistance portion
of development fees collected shall be used to provide affordability
assistance to those households earning 30% or less of median income
by region.
(a)
Affordability assistance programs may include down payment assistance,
security deposit assistance, low-interest loans, rental assistance,
assistance with homeowners' association or condominium fees and special
assessments, and assistance with emergency repairs.
(b)
Affordability assistance to households earning 30% or less of
median income may include buying down the cost of low- or moderate-income
units in the municipal Fair Share Plan to make them affordable to
households earning 30% or less of median income. The use of development
fees in this manner may entitle Egg Harbor Township to bonus credits
pursuant to N.J.A.C. 5:97-3.7.
(c)
Payments in lieu of constructing affordable units on site and
funds from the sale of units with extinguished controls shall be exempt
from the affordability assistance requirement.
(4)
The Township of Egg Harbor may contract with a private or public
entity to administer any part of its Housing Element and Fair Share
Plan, including the requirement for affordability assistance, in accordance
with N.J.A.C. 5:96-18.
(5)
No more than 20% of all revenues collected from development
fees may be expended on administration, including, but not limited
to, salaries and benefits for municipal employees or consultant fees
necessary to develop or implement a new construction program, a Housing
Element and Fair Share Plan, and/or an affirmative marketing program.
In the case of a rehabilitation program, no more than 20% of the revenues
collected from development fees shall be expended for such administrative
expenses. Administrative funds may be used for income qualification
of households, monitoring the turnover of sale and rental units, and
compliance with COAH's monitoring requirements. Legal or other fees
related to litigation opposing affordable housing sites or objecting
to the Council's regulations and/or action are not eligible uses of
the Affordable Housing Trust Fund.
I. Monitoring. The Township of Egg Harbor shall complete and return
to COAH all monitoring forms included in monitoring requirements related
to the collection of development fees from residential and nonresidential
developers, payments in lieu of constructing affordable units on site,
funds from the sale of units with extinguished controls, barrier-free
escrow funds, rental income, repayments from affordable housing program
loans, and any other funds collected in connection with Egg Harbor
Township's housing program, as well as to the expenditure of revenues
and implementation of the plan approved by the court. All monitoring
reports shall be completed on forms designed by COAH.
J. Ongoing collection of fees. The ability for Egg Harbor Township to
impose, collect and expend development fees shall expire with its
substantive certification or judgment of compliance unless the Township
of Egg Harbor has filed an adopted Housing Element and Fair Share
Plan with COAH, has petitioned for substantive certification, or brought
a declaratory relief action in Court pursuant to N.J.S.A. 52:27D-313.
If Egg Harbor Township fails to renew its ability to impose and collect
development fees prior to the expiration of a judgment of compliance,
it may be subject to forfeiture of any or all funds remaining within
its municipal trust fund. Any funds so forfeited shall be deposited
into the "New Jersey Affordable Housing Trust Fund" established pursuant
to section 20 of P.L. 1985, c. 222 (N.J.S.A. 52:27D-320). The Township
of Egg Harbor shall not impose a residential development fee on a
development that receives preliminary or final site plan approval
after the expiration of its substantive certification or judgment
of compliance, nor shall Egg Harbor Township retroactively impose
a development fee on such a development. Egg Harbor Township shall
not expend development fees after the expiration of its substantive
certification or judgment of compliance.