[Added 12-12-2016 by Ord. No. O-16-18]
It is the intent of the Township Council of the Township of Gloucester to regulate the appearance of the vacant and fire-damaged structures within the Township of Gloucester in order to minimize the negative impact that vacant and fire-damaged homes and structures have on the image of a neighborhood and/or our community as a whole.
A. 
Any business or individual that offers services to a residential or commercial property owner, for the purpose of securing a vacant or fire-damaged building or structure, shall be deemed a "canvasser" or "solicitor" as recognized under Chapter 58, Article I, Canvassers and Solicitors, of the Code of the Township of Gloucester. The application required under this article shall be provided by the Township Clerk. The registration certificate shall be valid for one year.
B. 
The applicant may be refused if such investigation reveals the following:
[Added 5-8-2017 by Ord. No. O-17-18]
(1) 
Conviction involving crimes of a sexual nature or endangering the welfare of children at any time;
(2) 
Conviction of any crime involving arson, aggravated assault, burglary, embezzlement, conspiracy, conversion and misappropriation of funds, extortion, larceny, loan sharking, possession or use of a controlled dangerous substance, and other crimes occurring in the past 10 years; or
(3) 
A conviction of a disorderly persons or petty disorderly persons offense within the past three years.
In addition to the registration certificate requirements set forth, businesses or individuals governed by this article shall also provide to the Township Clerk, at the time of registration, with proof of commercial general liability insurance providing for a minimum of $1,000,000 of insurance coverage. The applicant shall pay an annual registration certificate fee of $25.
Each business or individual, upon being so registered, shall be issued a registration certificate by the Township Clerk, upon which shall be affixed one photograph of the applicant and the signature of the Township Clerk or the Clerk's authorized representative.
Each representative of a business or individual governed by this article shall carry the original registration certificate at all times when providing services within the Township and shall exhibit same to any fire or police officer upon request.
A. 
The following regulations apply to all structures that are being secured (boarded-up) by property owners, hired vendors, lien holders, insurance company or governmental agencies. All board-up shall be completed within 72 hours. Any boards or other materials that are used to secure windows, doors, or other openings in any structure shall be painted white and shall have applied to them a light gray grid as shown on the attached sketch.[1] Except in the case of emergency requiring immediate board up, plain board material may be used but replaced and the structure shall be painted white with a light gray grid applied as shown on the attached sketch within 72 hours.
[Amended 5-8-2017 by Ord. No. O-17-18]
[1]
Editor's Note: The sketch is available from the Township Clerk's office.
B. 
No person subject to the terms of this article shall enter or attempt to enter the building or structure of any resident or commercial owner, or approach any such property owners, while the Fire Department is operating on the incident scene, with established fire lines in place as per N.J.S.A. 40A:14-54.1, and until the fire scene has been released by the officer in charge of the fire scene.
C. 
No person subject to the terms of this article shall enter or attempt to enter the building or structure of any resident or commercial owner, or approach any such property owners, without the registration certificate in his/her possession.
D. 
No person subject to the terms of this article shall conduct himself/herself in such a manner as to harass or annoy any person while soliciting within the Township of Gloucester.
E. 
No person subject to the terms of this article shall interfere with, hinder, or obstruct any member of the Gloucester Township Fire Departments, Gloucester Township Police Department, Gloucester Township Emergency Medical Services, or any other emergency service personnel from performing their duties in accordance with the general protection, health, and welfare of the residents of the Township of Gloucester.
F. 
Any boards or other materials that are used to secure windows, doors, or other openings in any structure shall be painted white and shall have applied to them a light gray grid as shown on the attached sketch. Copy of the sketch is on file in the office of the Township Clerk.
A. 
Any person who shall violate any provision of this article shall, upon conviction thereof, be subject to one or more of the following: a fine not exceeding $1,000 or imprisonment in the county jail for a term not exceeding 90 days, or a period of community service not exceeding 90 days, in the discretion of the Municipal Court Judge. Each day that such violation shall continue after due notice has been served shall be deemed a separate offense.
B. 
Any violation of this article shall further result in the revocation of a registration certificate for the period of one year, whereupon the issuance of a new registration certificate shall be governed by the procedures and requirements set forth within this article.