[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Palisades Park 5-9-1996 by Ord. No. 1244.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Housing Inspector — See Ch. 48, Art. I.
Unfit buildings — See Ch. 104.
Uniform construction codes — See Ch. 116.
Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms — Ch. 143, Art. V.
Housing standards — See Ch. 159.
Multiple dwellings — See Ch. 189.
Zoning — See Ch. 300.
[1]
This ordinance also repealed former Ch. 198, Occupancy Permits, adopted as follows: Art. I, 7-8-1976 as Section 8-6 of the Revised General Ordinances of 1975; Art. II, 7-8-1976 as Section 8-7 of the Revised General Ordinances of 1975.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
The Construction Official of the Borough of Palisades Park or such other officer designated by the Mayor and Council to enforce the provisions of this chapter.
MULTIPLE DWELLING
Any building or structure containing three or more rented or leased dwelling units occupied or intended to be occupied by three or more persons, together with all appurtenant land, buildings and structures.
OCCUPANCY
The lawful possession of a dwelling unit, commercial or industrial space.
OWNER
The person or persons holding a legal or equitable fee-simple interest in a commercial, industrial or residential building, or in case of premises held in the cooperative form of ownership, the person or persons holding legal or equitable title to the cooperative shares allocated to a dwelling unit.
RESIDENTIAL BUILDING
Includes one-, two- and three-family homes, multiple-family dwellings and units therein and individual condominium and cooperative units.
No person shall occupy or use any portion of a commercial, industrial or residential building after such building or portion thereof has been vacated or sold, or when there has been a change in use or occupancy of such building or any portion thereof, until the owner or landlord thereof shall have applied for and secured a certificate of continuing occupancy. Such certificate shall be issued upon a general inspection of the visible parts of the building and the portion thereof that has been vacated or sold or in which there has been a change in use and occupancy, and there shall be no imminent hazards and that the premises in question shall be in compliance with applicable building, health, safety and fire codes, regulations, ordinances and statutes of the Borough of Palisades Park and the State of New Jersey.
Prior to the rental, lease or sale of any commercial, industrial or residential building or the rental, lease or sale of any individual unit in a multiple-family dwelling involving a new occupancy, continued occupancy or change of use, the Enforcement Officer shall issue a certificate of continuing occupancy in accordance with the standards set forth in § 198-2 of this chapter.
The Enforcement Officer shall conduct an inspection of said commercial, industrial or residential building, or portion thereof, which is to be sold, rented or leased within a reasonable time, not exceeding 30 days after completion of said application, and shall issue a certificate of continuing occupancy, provided that the standards set forth in § 198-2 of this chapter have been satisfied and, in the case of a residential building, that the premises are in compliance with the requirement of installation of a smoke detector alarm system.
If, after inspection by the Enforcement Officer, a certificate of continuing occupancy may not be issued to the commercial, industrial or residential building or portion thereof because of the existence of a violation of any code or failure to comply with the standards set forth in § 198-2 of this chapter, notice shall be given by the Enforcement Officer to the owner detailing the violations of applicable laws, regulations or ordinance. The Enforcement Officer shall have the authority to issue any summons or complaint for any violation of any ordinance, statute or regulation against the owner and/or occupant of the commercial, industrial or residential building or portion thereof wherein the violation exists. In the event that any violations are found to exist, there shall be no new occupancy or use of the premises until the criteria has been satisfied for the issuance of the certificate of continuing occupancy.
[Amended 10-17-1996 by Ord. No. 1251]
In the event that, upon inspection of the enforcement officer, a violation exists which reveals that the property is being utilized as a multifamily dwelling, i.e., three or more families, in violation of the local zoning ordinance,[1] the following shall be required in order to satisfy the Enforcement Officer that said condition has been abated:
A. 
If separate and distinct utility services are installed at the premises for the "illegal units", these utility services must be removed to the satisfaction of the Enforcement Officer; and
B. 
The present owner and contract purchaser, if any, must execute a statement, under oath, acknowledging that they are aware that the premises are to be used in a manner which is consistent with all local and state laws and they are further aware that all providers of municipal services and other municipal officials shall be obligated to report any violation of this chapter or any other ordinances of the Borough of Palisades Park and that they will be subject to fines and other penalties consistent with law in the event of said future violation.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 300, Zoning.
[Amended 4-23-2009 by Ord. No. 1528]
The following fees are hereby enacted:
A. 
Business certificates of occupancy.
(1) 
Business applications: $350.
B. 
Apartments certificates of occupancy.
(1) 
Application: $50.
C. 
Resales.
(1) 
One-family: $50.
(2) 
Two-families: $75.
(3) 
Business or commercial: $300.
(4) 
Additional 1,000 square feet, add: $50.
D. 
Zoning review: $25.
E. 
Reinspections: $15.
F. 
Fences.
(1) 
Up to six feet: $60.
(2) 
Over six feet: $25 per $1,000 cost of construction.
G. 
Dumpsters.
(1) 
On private property: no fee.
(2) 
On public property, per day: $15.