Source: https://ecode360.com/29723647
Timestamp: 2019-04-19 20:38:45+00:00

Document:
§ 148-3 Restoration of vacant property.
§ 148-4 Access to vacant properties.
§ 148-5 Responsible owner, creditor or agent.
§ 148-6 Vacant property owner or creditor requirements.
§ 148-7 Enforcement-Officer-issued rules and regulations.
§ 148-9 Violations and penalties.
Brush, grass and weeds — See Ch. 61.
Unfit buildings — See Ch. 64.
Graffiti — See Ch. 99A.
Public health nuisances — See Ch. 114.
Property maintenance — See Ch. 125.
Any building or structure which is not legally occupied or at which all lawful business or construction operations or renovation work or residential occupancy has substantially ceased, and which is in such condition that it cannot legally be reoccupied without repair or rehabilitation, and/or the property has been determined to be a nuisance by the Enforcement Officer in accordance with N.J.S.A. 55:19-82. A property which contains both residential and nonresidential space may be considered abandoned pursuant to N.J.S.A. 55:19-78 et seq. so long as two-thirds or more of the total net square footage of the building was previously legally occupied as residential or commercial space and none of the residential or commercial space has been legally occupied for at least six months at the time of the determination of abandonment by the Enforcement Officer and the property meets the criteria of either Subsection A or D of this definition.
Any creditor (including out-of-state creditors) including but not limited to service companies, lenders in a mortgage agreement and any agent, servant or employee of the mortgagee, or any successor in interest and/or assignee of the mortgagee's rights, interests or obligations under a mortgage or mortgage note.
Commencing a foreclosure action in the Superior Court of New Jersey or filing a lis pendens.
Includes the title holder, any agent of the title holder having authority to act with respect to a vacant and/or abandoned property, any foreclosing entity that has filed a notice with the municipal clerk pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 46:10B-51, or any other entity determined by the Township of Logan to have authority to act with respect to the property.
Any building or structure which is not legally occupied or at which all lawful business or construction operations or renovation work or occupancy have substantially ceased, and which is in such condition that it cannot legally be reoccupied without repair or rehabilitation, including but not limited to any property meeting the definition of "abandoned property" in N.J.S.A. 55:19-81 or any two of the conditions defined in N.J.S.A. 2A:50-73 exist; provided, however, that any property where all building systems are in working order, where the building and grounds are maintained in good order, or where the building is in a habitable condition, and where the building is being actively marketed by its owner or creditor for sale or rental shall not be deemed a vacant property for purposes of this chapter.
The owner and/or creditor of any abandoned or vacant property as defined herein shall: 1) within 30 calendar days after the building becomes vacant property; or 2) within 30 calendar days after assuming ownership of the vacant property, whichever is later; or 3) within 30 calendar days of receipt of notice by the municipality; file a registration statement for such vacant property with the Code Enforcement Office on forms provided by the Township for such purposes in the manner set forth below. Failure to receive notice by the municipality shall not constitute grounds for failing to register the property.
The registration statement shall include the name, street address, telephone number and e-mail address of a person 21 years of age or older, designated by the owner or creditor or owners or creditors as the authorized agent for receiving notices of code violations and for receiving process in any court proceeding or administrative enforcement proceeding on behalf of such owner or owners or creditors in connection with the enforcement of any applicable code; and the name, street address, telephone number and e-mail address of the firm and the actual name(s) of the firm's individual principal(s) responsible for maintaining the property. The individual or a representative of the firm responsible for maintaining the property shall be available by telephone or in person on a twenty-four-hour-per-day, seven-day-per-week basis. The two entities may be the same or different persons. Both entities shown on the statement must maintain offices in the State of New Jersey or reside within the State of New Jersey.
The registration shall remain valid for one year from the date of registration, except the initial registration, for the fee prescribed in § 148-8 for each vacant property registered.
If the registration fee is not paid within 30 days of notification, a lien will be placed on the property for the amount prescribed in § 148-8.
The owner or creditor shall notify the Enforcement Officer within 30 calendar days of any change in the registration information by filing an amended registration statement on a form provided by the Township for such purpose.
The registration statement shall be deemed prima facie proof of the statements therein contained in any administrative enforcement proceeding or court proceeding instituted by the Township against the owner, owners or creditor of the building.
The owner and/or creditor shall maintain insurance in accordance with § 148-6E below.
The registration statement may include any additional information that the Enforcement Officer may reasonably require.
If, after 30 calendar days, there is no progress taken to address the code violations at the vacant property, taxes are unpaid for one quarter and the water and sewer charges, if applicable, are also delinquent for one quarter, the Township may commence condemnation proceedings to either demolish the structure and/or take title to the property to satisfy the Township's liens and expenses.
Any owner of vacant property who plans to restore the property to productive use and occupancy during the thirty-day period following the date of the initial registration of the property shall file a sufficiently detailed statement of the owner's plans for restoration of the property with the registration statement along with a timeline schedule. Any owner who within the initial registration period completes restoration of the property whereby the property no longer is defined as a vacant property may request a fifty-percent refund of the vacant property registration fee from the Code Enforcement Office upon presentation of a certificate of occupancy who shall forward the request to the Enforcement Officer for approval.
The owner and/or creditor of any vacant property registered under this chapter shall provide access to the Township to conduct exterior and interior inspections of the building to determine compliance with municipal codes, upon reasonable notice to the property owner or creditor or the designated agent. Such inspections shall be carried out on weekdays during the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., or such other time as may be mutually agreed upon between the owner or creditor and the Township.
An owner or creditor who meets the requirements of this chapter with respect to the location of his or her residence or workplace in the State of New Jersey may designate himself or herself as agent or as the individual responsible for maintaining the property.
By designating an authorized agent under the provisions of this section the owner or creditor consents to receive any and all notices of code violations concerning the registered vacant property and all process in any court proceeding or administrative enforcement proceeding brought to enforce code provisions concerning the registered building by service of the notice or process on the authorized agent. Any owner or creditor who has designated an authorized agent under the provisions of this section shall be deemed to consent to the continuation of the agent's designation for the purposes of this section until the owner or creditor notifies the Township of Logan in writing of a change of authorized agent or until the owner or creditor files a new annual registration statement.
Any owner or creditor who fails to register a vacant property under the provisions of this chapter shall further be deemed to consent to receive, by posting on the building, in plain view, and by service notice at the last known address of the owner or creditor of the property on record with the Township of Logan by regular and certified mail, any and all notices of code violations and all process in an administrative proceeding brought to enforce code provisions concerning the building and subject to the provisions stated in § 148-2I.
Board and secure the structure and all unattached accessory structures, garages or similar structures as provided for in the applicable codes of the Township of Logan or as set forth in rules and regulations promulgated by the Construction and/or Housing Code Official.
Ensure that the exterior grounds of the structure, including yards, fences, sidewalks, walkways, rights-of-way, alleys, retaining walls, attached or unattached accessory structures and driveways, are well-maintained and free from trash, debris, loose litter, and grass and weed overgrowth, and in compliance with Chapters 64 and 125 of the Code of the Township of Logan.
Post a sign affixed and protected from the elements, to the structure indicating the name, address and telephone number of the owner or creditor and the owner's or creditor's authorized agent for the purpose of service of process, and the name, address and telephone number of the entity responsible for maintenance of the property, which may be the same as the owner or creditor or authorized agent. The sign shall include the words "no trespassing" and "to report problems with this building, call. . .," shall be 24 inches by 24 inches in size, and shall be placed in a location where it is clearly visible from the nearest public street or sidewalk, whichever is nearer. The sign shall meet the requirements of Logan Township's Unified Development Ordinance.
The owner or creditor of any vacant and/or abandoned property shall acquire and otherwise maintain liability insurance, in an amount of not less than $300,000 for buildings designed primarily for residential use, and not less than $1,000,000 for any other building, including, but not limited to, buildings designed for manufacturing, industrial, storage or commercial uses, covering any damage to any person or any property caused by any physical condition of or in the building or property subject to the provisions of the chapter. Said insurance shall provide a rider for payment of all demolition costs should the vacant building become abandoned and require the Township of Logan to demolish the building. Any insurance policy acquired or renewed after the building has become vacant shall provide for written notice to the Township of Logan Enforcement Officer within 30 calendar days of any lapse, cancellation or change in coverage. The owner or creditor shall attach evidence of the insurance to the owner's or creditor's registration statement. Any registration statement submitted that does not include such evidence shall be deemed to be an invalid registration. Insurance must name Township of Logan as party or payee for demolition costs should the Township deem demolition is required.
Correct any violation of this chapter, including but not limited to the provision of care, maintenance, security and upkeep of the exterior of the property, within 30 days of receipt of the violation notice from the enforcement officer; or within 10 days of receipt of the violation notice if the violation presents an eminent threat to public health and safety. The issuance of a notice pursuant to this chapter shall constitute proof that a property is "vacant and abandoned" for the purposes of N.J.S.A. 2A:50-73.
The Enforcement Officer may issue rules and regulations for the administration of the provisions of this chapter. Such administratively promulgated rules and regulations shall be in writing and shall be provided to the owners or creditor of properties registered under this chapter or their designated agents within 30 calendar days of their effective date.
If not paid within six months of notification by the Township of Logan, the registration fee shall increase to $1,000.
Second and subsequent renewal fee: $2,000.
Any owner or in-state creditor who violates any provision of this chapter or of the rules and regulations issued hereunder shall be subject to a fine of $1,500 for each offense. Every day that a violation continues shall constitute a separate and distinct offense. Fines assessed under this chapter shall be recoverable from the owner or creditor and shall be a lien on the property as described in N.J.S.A. 55:19-100.
Any out-of-state creditor who violates any provision of this chapter or of the rules and regulations issued hereunder shall be subject to a fine of $2,500 for each day a separate violation of this chapter exists. Fines assessed under this chapter shall be recoverable from the owner or creditor and shall be a lien on the property as described in N.J.S.A. 55:19-100.

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