The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1893-07-26
new BUILDING LAWS.
The Aldermen Accept Sew
eral Excellent Sugges-
tions of Inspector
Macarthur.

In addition to presenting a fire escape
ordinance at the meeting of the Board OF
Aldermen last night, the Committee on
Laws and Ordinance also presented a fire
limit ordinance which necessitates sew
eral changes 10 tins old limits.
The new limits are included within
the following boundarles:- BEGINNING az
the intersection of the middle line of the
Hudson River and the middle of the old
Morris canal basin prolonged to the
middle line of the Hudson River ana
thence running westerly along said pro-
longation aud the middle line of said
basin and the middle line OF the Morris
canal, Its several courses to the middle
line Of Jersey avenue TO Golden street,
thence westerly along Golden street to
Varick street, to Bright street, to
Brunswick street, to Division. TO Fiji
teeutb. to Coles, to Eighteenth, to The
middle of the Hudson River.
NO FRAME BUILDINGS.
Within these uudar no frame
building or wooden building in whole or
in part space be pullo or erected. The
fine for Gisregarding the ordinance is $40
per day for every day the building tai
after proDer notice has been served.
FOR FIRMER FOUNDATIONS.
Building Inspector Macarthur has been
finding that some of the city contractors
nave been putting up large buildings on
exceedingly slight foundations. Accord
lngly, through the Committee on
Laws ana Ordinances, he secured
the presentation of an ordinance
which compels contractors to lay all
foundation walls at least four feet below
the curb level, aud when the nature of
the earth requires it on u bottom OF piles
driven to proper depth or LAID on timbers
Of sufficient size to keep the walls from
settling. The base course uuder all
foundations resting on earth shall be or
stone or concrete, and ut least twelve
inches wider than the bottom width OF
such piers, columns or posts. The
thickness of all footing courses shall not
be less than one-tnlrd their width
and no concrete footing shall be
less than twelve inches thick.
Every foundation wall must be OF brick
or stone and must be at least 4 inches
wider than the wall which rests upon IT.
If stone is used it must be IS niche thick
and at least 8 inches wider than the wall
which it supports. In buildings 25 feet
wide, 25 feet high and As feet deep the
foundation walls may be of brick II
inches thick or stone Is inches thick.
Outside walls must be of brick or stone
10 inches thick and party walls 5 inches
thick. When walls do not exceed 30 feet
ia height they shall not be less than IL
1uCICS ~ u ~ VI LIZ Z dbOFo
the curb level or to the tier of teams next
above i'll height. When walls exceed IS
feet but not 45 feet they shall be not less
than IL inches in width to the height of
80 feet. When higher thar 40 feet, II
iuch walls to the top must be used. aud
above As feet l6-inch walls. Dwelling
houses require buf s inch walls.
PENALTY FoR VIOLATION.
For the violation oil auy part of this
ordinance a fine of $40 per day is i'm
posed.
EXCAVATIONS.
Building inspector Macarthur also had
an ordinances relative to excavations pre-
sented. It prohibits any excavation
eight feet below the curt line without
giving due notice TO the owner or owners
of adjoining property 20 that adjoining
buildings may be protected aud cared for.
If the owner Of adjoining property after
ten days notice does not properly protect
his building the person making the ex-
cavation may properly protect The build
| ings at the cost of the owner.
Proper precaution must also be taken
to prevent Sdjoipiug earth from cavlng
in whenever an adjoining wall is TO be
used as a party wall; tue person or per-
sons ing the excavation shall, at his
| own expense and under the supervision
of the Inspector of Buildings, take all
| necessary measures to preserve and pro-
tect II support sucn wall during the
progress of such excavation. A fine or
$40 per day is imposed for the violation of
| any part of this ordinance.
Inspector Macarthur Is anxious that
these ordinances shall be passed, as ne
believes them necessary for the protec-
tion 10 life and limb. The ordinances
will probably be passed.
William Thormer was elected a city
weighmaster at his own solicitation.
l. Alderman DuaQpilRPrv nraaidad in fha
| absence of Chairman Simpsou, WHO was
in New York with the Finance Board
discussing the tax budget with Mayor
Wanser.