This chapter shall be known as the "Property
Maintenance Code of the City of Passaic," and may be referred to in
this chapter in the short form as "this code."
A.
It is hereby found and declared that there exist in
the City of Passaic structures used for residential and nonresidential
use which are or may become in the future substandard with respect
to structure, equipment and/or maintenance or further that such conditions,
including, but not limited to, structural deterioration, lack of maintenance
and appearance of exterior of premises, infestation, lack of essential
heating, plumbing, lack of maintenance or upkeep of essential utilities
and facilities, existence of fire hazards, inadequate provisions for
light and air, insanitary conditions and overcrowding, constitute
a menace to the health, safety, morals, welfare and reasonable comfort
of the citizens and inhabitants of the City of Passaic. It is further
found and declared that, by reason of lack of maintenance and progressive
deterioration, certain properties have the further effect of creating
blighting conditions and initiating slums and that, if the same are
not curtailed and removed, the aforesaid conditions will grow and
spread and will necessitate in time the expenditure of large amounts
of public funds to correct and eliminate the same and that, by reason
of timely regulations and restrictions as herein contained, the growth
of slums and blight may be prevented and the neighborhood and property
values thereby maintained, the desirability and amenities of residential
and nonresidential uses and neighborhoods enhanced and the public
health, safety and welfare protected and fostered.
B.
It is further found and declared that, by reason of
the peculiar and special conditions existing in lodging houses, the
licensing and regulation of same is necessary so that the aforesaid
regulations may be better enforced in the public interest for the
protection of health, safety and welfare of the public to prevent
slum and blighted conditions from expanding in the City of Passaic
and for the social and economic stability of the city.
The purpose of this code is to protect the public
health, safety, morals and welfare by establishing minimum standards
governing the maintenance, appearance, condition and occupancy of
dwelling units and nonresidential premises; to establish minimum standards
governing utilities, facilities and other physical components and
conditions essential to making the aforesaid facilities fit for human
habitation, occupancy and use; to fix certain responsibilities and
duties upon owners and operators and distinct and separate responsibilities
and duties upon occupants; to require the licensing and regulation
of rooming houses; to authorize and establish procedures for the inspection
of residential and nonresidential premises; to fix penalties for the
violations of this code; to provide for the right of access across
adjoining premises to permit repairs; and to provide for the repair,
demolition or vacation of premises unfit for human habitation or occupancy
or use. This code is hereby declared to be remedial and essential
for the public interest, and it is intended that this code be liberally
construed to effectuate the purposes as stated herein.
