As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
VACANT BUILDING
Any building or structure, including any appurtenances thereto, which
has been unoccupied for a period of 60 days or more or which has become unoccupied
due to fire, flood or other natural calamity or which has been ordered vacated
because the building has been declared unfit for habitation or as a hazard
to life, limb or the general welfare of the occupants or the general public;
except that this shall not apply to any building which is unoccupied because
of a current alteration being performed under application and plan approved
by the construction official having jurisdiction.
Every building that shall become vacant shall be sealed or closed by
the owner of said building, in the following manner, to prevent unauthorized
entry within the time prescribed by the Construction Official of the City
of Passaic in accordance with the Uniform Construction Code of the State of
New Jersey, after said building shall become vacant:
A. Every opening with the exception of the entry door shall
be sealed with five-eighths-inch plyscore overlapping the casing on the exterior.
B. Each piece of plyscore shall have two two-by-fours nailed
on each side with ten-penny clinched nailing and fastened to the building
with two five-eighths-inch or four three-eighths-inch carriage bolts fastened
through two two-by-fours overlapping the casing on the interior.
C. The entrance door shall be sealed in the same manner,
except that the door must have attached to it a hasp with padlock, which key
shall be available to all city agencies for inspection purposes.
D. Each opening shall be painted with two coats of exterior
oil base paint of a color to match or blend with the existing exterior color
of the building.
If the owner fails to comply with an order to seal a building, the Construction
Official may cause such building to be sealed and all costs that are incurred
by this action shall be placed as a municipal lien against the real property
upon which such costs were incurred.