All owners of unoccupied or vacant buildings
shall comply with the applicable provisions of the New Jersey Fire
Safety Code N.J.A.C. 5:70 et seq. and any local ordinances and the
following additional standards for safety from fire:
A. No unoccupied or vacant building shall contain any
space utilized for the storage of flammable liquids.
B. No room within any vacant or unoccupied building shall
be used for storage of junk, rubbish or wastes, furniture or building
materials not intended to be used in the existing building.
In order to promote the early detection and
containment of fire, the boarding up of windows and doors shall not
be permitted except with the permission of the Township Construction
Official in emergency situations. When the windows and doors are allowed
to be boarded up, they shall be covered with no less than 1/2 inch
exterior plywood or equivalent and be painted the same color as the
body of the building. In no case shall boarding up of windows or doors
be permitted in excess of six months, except pursuant to an extension
granted as outlined below. Should an owner find it necessary to board
up windows and doors in excess of six months, a written appeal seeking
permission to do so must be filed with the Township Construction Official
at least 14 days prior to the expiration of the initial six month
period. At the time of such appeal, all circumstances shall be set
forth in a written affidavit supporting the owner's request for an
extension of the board-up. Based upon the information set forth in
the affidavit, such other circumstances regarding the property as
may be revealed from an inspection of it, and any other relevant information
or circumstances of which the Township Construction Official may be
aware, bearing upon the request, the Construction Official shall make
a determination whether or not to grant the extension request. Such
determination shall set forth the factors considered and the reasons
for the decision. The written determination shall be sent by regular
mail or personal delivery to the owner. The determination of the Township
Construction Official shall be final unless reversed by a court of
competent jurisdiction.
Violations of the provisions of this article shall be punishable as provided in Chapter
1, Article
II, General Penalty.