[Amended 9-21-1994 by Ord. No. 7-94; 2-6-2008 by Ord. No. 02-2008]
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 52:27D-202 of the Uniform Fire Safety Act (P.L. 1983, c. 383), the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code shall be locally enforced in the Township of West Amwell.
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of West Amwell as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Adopted 8-15-1985 by Ord. No. 6-85]
[Amended 9-21-1994 by Ord. No. 7-94; 11-3-1999 by Ord. No. 20-99]
The local enforcing agency shall be the Township of West Amwell which, for the purposes of this article, shall be designated as the Bureau of Fire Prevention of the Township of West Amwell.
[Amended 9-21-1994 by Ord. No. 7-94]
The local enforcing agency shall enforce the Uniform Fire Safety Act, the Uniform Fire Code and the codes and regulations adopted under it in all buildings, structures and premises within the established boundaries of the Township of West Amwell, other than owner-occupied one- and two-family dwellings and buildings owned or operated by the federal government, the state and interstate agencies, and shall faithfully comply with the requirements of the Uniform Fire Safety Act and the Uniform Fire Code.
The local enforcing agency established by § 88-2 of this article shall carry out the periodic inspections of life hazard uses required by the Uniform Fire Code on behalf of the Commissioner of Community Affairs.
A.
Appointment of Fire Official. There shall be a Fire Official who shall be appointed by the Township Committee pursuant to the Uniform Fire Code.
[Amended 9-21-1994 by Ord. No. 7-94; 11-3-1999 by Ord. No. 20-99]
B.
Term of office. The Fire Official shall serve for a term of one year from date of appointment. Any vacancy shall be filled for the unexpired term.
C.
Inspectors and employees. Such inspectors and other employees as may be necessary in the local enforcing agency shall be appointed by the governing body upon there commendation of the Fire Official.
D.
Removal from office. The Fire Official, inspectors and other employees of the enforcing agency shall be subject to removal by the governing body for inefficiency or misconduct. Each person to be so removed shall be afforded an opportunity to be heard by the appointing authority or a designated hearing officer.
[Amended 9-21-1994 by Ord. No. 7-94]
[Amended 2-6-2008 by Ord. No. 02-2008]
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 52:27D-192 of the Uniform Fire Safety Act, any person aggrieved by any order of the local enforcing agency shall have the right to appeal to the Construction Board of Appeals of Hunterdon County.
[Amended 9-21-1994 by Ord. No. 7-94; 11-3-1999 by Ord. No. 20-99; 11-21-2001 by Ord. No. 01-16; 2-6-2008 by Ord. No. 02-2008; 2-18-2009 by Ord. No. 2-2009; 10-6-2021 by Ord. No. 08-2021]
A.
All structures, except one- or two-family owner-occupied properties, one- or two-family rental properties and agricultural buildings, shall be inspected annually. The fee for each building or structure at least 1,000 square feet or more shall be $60.
B.
Any structure or event that is required to have a permit will obtain permit application and pay the proper fee that is set forth in the Uniform Fire Code and have an inspection by the Fire Official prior to event or use.
(1)
Type 1 shall be $60, unless a higher fee is adopted by the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code, N.J.A.C. 5:70-2.9(c)1.
(2)
Type 2 shall be $215, unless a higher fee is adopted by the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code, N.J.A.C. 5:70-2.9(c)2.
(3)
Type 3 shall be $430, unless a higher fee is adopted by the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code, N.J.A.C. 5:70-2.9(c)3.
(4)
Type 4 shall be $641, unless a higher fee is adopted by the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code, N.J.A.C. 5:70-2.9(c)4.
(5)
Type 5, which is currently reserved and has no fee, unless a fee is adopted by the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code, N.J.A.C. 5:70-2.9(c)5.
C.
Fee structure for life hazard uses in buildings and around buildings is based on fee schedule set forth by the State of New Jersey Uniform Fire Code.
D.
Fee schedule for non-life-hazard uses is based on fee schedule below:
Fees for Inspection of Non-Life-Hazard Uses | ||
|---|---|---|
UCC Code Type | Annual Fee | |
Business Use Group | ||
Under 2,500 square feet | $75 | |
2,500 through 4,999 square feet | $100 | |
5,000 through 9,999 square feet | $150 | |
10,000 square feet and over | $200 | |
Factory Use Group | ||
F-1 | Under 6,600 square feet | $200 |
Under 12,000 square feet | $400 | |
F-2 | Under 6,600 square feet | $200 |
Under 12,000 square feet | $400 | |
Mercantile Use Group | ||
M-1 | Under 6,000 square feet | $150 |
M-2 | 6,000 through 11,999 square feet | $300 |
Storage Use Group | ||
S-1 | Under 6,000 square feet | $75 |
Under 12,000 square feet | $150 | |
S-2 | Under 10,000 square feet | $75 |
Under 10,000 square feet | $150 | |
Residential Use Group | ||
3 to 6 units | $75 | |
7 to 12 units | $150 | |
13 to 20 units | $250 | |
Over 20 units | $400 | |
Utilities Use Group | ||
U-1 | Under 2,500 square feet | $75 |
U-2 | 2,500 square feet and over | $125 |
Assembly Use Group | Under 5,000 square feet | $175 |
Over 5,000 square feet | $300 | |
NOTES: | |||
|---|---|---|---|
1. | Uses not classified above will be classified as business uses. | ||
2. | Uses required to be registered with the state as life hazard uses shall not be required to register under this subsection. | ||
3. | Any buildings, structures or premises that are tax exempt according to the official tax records of the Township will be exempt from the non-life-hazard use registration fee. However, these buildings will be inspected as required by the Uniform Fire Code. | ||
4. | Vacant buildings will be charged and inspected according to the previous use of the building. | ||
5. | Residential uses shall be inspected in the common areas and each dwelling unit. | ||
6. | Exceptions: Any not-for-profit building that is not a life hazard use will be exempt from fee but still must be inspected and any violations abated. | ||
E.
The application fee for a certificate of smoke detector compliance, CSDSMAC, as required by N.J.A.C. 5:70-2.3, shall be $75 with more than 10 days' notice; with four to 10 days' notice; and $175 with less than four days' notice.