[1]
Editor's Note: Former Art. XII, Department of Community Affairs, previously codified in this section, added 7-11-1991 by Ord. No. MC-2670, as amended, was repealed 9-26-1996 by Ord. No. MC-3238. Said Ord. No. MC-3238 was vetoed by the Mayor 10-10-1996, but said veto was overridden by a two-thirds vote of the Council 10-17-1996.
There shall be a Department of Code Enforcement, which shall be headed by a Director of Code Enforcement, who shall be appointed in the manner provided by law.
A. 
Except to the extent that the functions and supervision of the employees of the Department are regulated by state law, the Director shall direct and supervise all code enforcement activities in the City of Camden.
B. 
The powers granted to the Director and his subordinates shall not be construed to limit or impair the concurrent powers of the Police Department to enforce municipal ordinances and orders or those enforcement powers granted to the Fire Department under the Uniform Fire Code.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 363, Fire Prevention and Protection and Emergency Services Mitigation.
C. 
The Director shall be required to and shall be empowered to coordinate the activities of the Department with enforcement agencies established by local, state or federal law.
D. 
The Director shall be the public officer designated to carry out the duties prescribed by N.J.S.A. 40:48-2.5 relating to buildings that are unfit for human habitation, occupancy or use.
The Department of Code Enforcement shall be organized into two divisions: the Division of Inspections and the Division of Enforcement Control. The Divisions shall be headed by either the Director or the assistant director.
The following bureaus, offices and functions shall hereby be transferred to the Department of Code Enforcement and allocated amongst the divisions of the Department by the Director:
A. 
Bureau of the Construction Code Official.
B. 
Bureau of Housing Inspections.
C. 
Bureau of License and Inspection.
D. 
Office of Rent Control.
E. 
(Reserved)[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Subsection E, Sanitation Inspections, was repealed 12-10-2019 by Ord. No. MC-5232.
F. 
Bureau of Weights and Measures.
G. 
Sidewalks Inspections.
H. 
Street Openings.
I. 
Zoning Enforcement Officer.
J. 
Bureau of Animal Control.[2]
[Added 5-13-2008 by Ord. No. MC-4387]
[2]
Editor's Note: This bureau was formerly transferred to the Police Department 4-22-2004 by Ord. No. MC-3946. Additionally, former Subsection K, Sanitary Inspections, which immediately followed this subsection, was repealed 12-10-2019 by Ord. No. MC-5232.
[Amended 5-8-2003 by Ord. No. MC-3837[1]]
There shall be an Office of Rent Control whose function shall be to administer and enforce the provisions of legislation adopted by the City Council for rent control on March 12, 1981, as Ordinance No. MC-1719.[2] The specific powers and functions of said Office of Rent Control are set forth in § 650-12 of the Code of the City of Camden.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance provided for the transfer of the Office of Rent Control to the Department of Code Enforcement from the Department of Development and Planning.
[2]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 650, Rent Control.
[Amended 5-8-2003 by Ord. No. MC-3837[1]; 12-10-2024 by Ord. No. MC-5534]
The Bureau of Housing Inspection is hereby established within the Department of Code Enforcement.
A. 
The head of the Bureau of Housing Inspection and the Supervisor of Housing Inspection shall be and are hereby designated to be the Director of the Department of Code Enforcement, or his designee.
B. 
The duties of the head of the Bureau of Housing Inspection and the Supervisor of Housing Inspection shall be:
(1) 
Conducting and supervising the inspection of all occupied residential structures to ensure compliance with all housing ordinances and laws.
(2) 
Being the public officer charged with carrying out the duties authorized by Chapter 450, Housing Standards, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:48-2.5.
(3) 
Issuing certificates of occupancy for all residential structures, except for those newly constructed or substantially rehabilitated.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance provided for the transfer of the Bureau of Housing Inspection to the Department of Code Enforcement from the Department of Development and Planning.
[Amended 5-8-2003 by Ord. No. MC-3837[1]]
A. 
The Bureau of the Construction Code Official is hereby established within the Department of Code Enforcement.
B. 
The Chief Building Inspector shall head the Bureau and shall serve as the Construction Code Officer of the City of Camden. The Bureau shall also consist of such other subcode officials as are required by law.
C. 
The Chief Building Inspector shall:
(1) 
Conduct and administer the inspection of all nonresidential and unoccupied residential structures to assure compliance with all building ordinances and laws.
(2) 
Be the public officer charged with carrying out the duties imposed by the Construction Code, as adopted by the City of Camden.[2]
[2]
Editor's Note: For provisions relating to the Uniform Construction Code, see Ch. 270.
(3) 
Be in charge of issuing building permits and certificates of occupancy for new and substantially rehabilitated structures.
(4) 
Assure compliance with the requirements of the electrical standards of the City of Camden.[3]
[3]
Editor's Note: For the electrical standards, see Ch. 270.
(5) 
Assure compliance with the requirements of the plumbing maintenance standards of the City of Camden.[4]
[4]
Editor's Note: For the plumbing maintenance standards, see Ch. 270.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance provided for the transfer of the Bureau of the Construction Code Official to the Department of Code Enforcement from the Department of Planning and Development.
[Amended 7-11-1991 by Ord. No. MC-2670; 9-8-1994 by Ord. No. MC-3032[1]; 4-23-1998 by Ord. No. MC-3384[2]; 5-8-2003 by Ord. No. MC-3837[3]]
There shall be a Bureau of Weights and Measures, the head of which shall be the Superintendent of Weights and Measures. The Bureau shall inspect and seal weights and measures and enforce all laws and ordinances relating thereto. This Bureau shall take all measures to ensure that the consumers within the City of Camden shall receive fair weights and measures for articles purchased.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance provided for the transfer of the Bureau of Weights and Measures to the Department of Law from the Department of Human Services.
[2]
Editor's Note: This ordinance provided for the transfer of the Bureau of Weights and Measures to the Department of Public Works from the Office of the City Attorney.
[3]
Editor's Note: This ordinance provided for the transfer of the Bureau of Weights and Measures to the Department of Code Enforcement from the Department of Public Works.
[Added 5-13-2008 by Ord. No. MC-4387]
A. 
Within the Department of Code Enforcement, there shall be a Bureau of Animal Control. The head of the Bureau shall be the Supervising Animal Control Officer, who shall supervise the animal control officers. The Supervising Animal Control Officer shall serve under the supervision of the Director of Code Enforcement.
B. 
All City of Camden certified animal control officers authorized pursuant N.J.S.A. 4:19-15.16a et seq. shall have the authority within the City of Camden to enforce all laws or ordinances enacted for the protection of animals, including but not limited to animal control, animal welfare and animal cruelty laws of the State of New Jersey or ordinances of the City of Camden. A certified animal control officer is authorized to refer investigations to the Camden City Police Department and all other appropriate law enforcement agencies concerning any violation of an animal control, animal welfare or animal cruelty law of the State of New Jersey or ordinance of the City of Camden.
C. 
The Supervising Animal Control Officer shall be appointed by the Mayor, with the advice and consent of City Council.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Art. XIIA, Department of Development and Redevelopment, which previously followed this section, added 9-8-1994 by Ord. No. MC-3032, as amended, was repealed 9-26-1996 by Ord. No. MC-3238. Said Ord. No. MC-3238 was vetoed by the Mayor 10-10-1996, but said veto was overridden by a two-thirds vote of the Council 10-17-1996.