Source: https://www.ecode360.com/6667357
Timestamp: 2020-07-12 10:08:16
Document Index: 617604672

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 157', '§ 157', '§ 157', '§ 157', '§ 157', '§ 157', '§ 157', '§ 157', '§ 157']

Township of Cranbury, NJ Housing Standards
§ 157-1 Designation of Enforcement Officer.
§ 157-2 Adoption of standards.
§ 157-3 Inspections; grant of access.
§ 157-4 Notice of violation.
§ 157-5 Hearings; emergency conditions.
§ 157-6 Authorization to adopt rules and regulations.
§ 157-7 Construal of provisions.
§ 157-8 Conformance required.
§ 157-9 Effect on existing dwellings.
Township of Cranbury, NJ / Part III: Board of Health
Chapter 157 Housing Standards
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Health of the Township of Cranbury 6-6-2002. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The Construction Official of the Township of Cranbury, or his duly qualified designee, be and is hereby designated as the officer to exercise the powers prescribed by this chapter, and he shall serve in such capacity without any additional salary.
Pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 26:3-69.2, the New Jersey State Housing Code, as approved by the Departments of Health and Conservation and Economic Development and filed in the Secretary of State's office, is hereby accepted, adopted and established as a standard to be used as a guide in determining whether dwellings in this municipality are safe, sanitary and fit for human habitation and rental. A copy of the New Jersey State Housing Code is annexed to this chapter, and three copies of the same have been placed on file in the office of the Township Clerk and are available to all persons desiring to use and examine the same.
The Health Officer of the Township of Cranbury is hereby authorized and directed to make inspections to determine the condition of dwellings, dwelling units, rooming units and premises located within the Township of Cranbury in order that he may perform his duty of safeguarding the health and safety of the occupants of dwellings and of the general public. For the purpose of making such inspections, the Health Officer of the Township of Cranbury is hereby authorized to enter, examine and survey at all reasonable times all dwellings, dwelling units, rooming units and premises. The owner or occupant of every dwelling, dwelling unit and rooming unit, or the person in charge thereof, shall give the Health Officer of the Township of Cranbury free access to such dwelling, dwelling unit or rooming unit and its premises at all reasonable times for the purpose of such inspection, examination and survey. Every occupant of a dwelling or dwelling unit shall give the owner thereof, or his agent or employee, access to any part of such dwelling or dwelling unit or its premises at all reasonable times for the purpose of making such repairs or alterations as are necessary to effect compliance with the provisions of this chapter or with any lawful rule or regulation adopted or any lawful order issued pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
Whenever the Health Officer of the Township of Cranbury determines that there are reasonable grounds to believe that there has been a violation of any provision of this chapter or of any rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto, he shall give notice of such alleged violation to the person or persons responsible therefor as hereinafter provided. Such notice shall be put in writing, shall include a statement of the reasons why it is being issued, shall allow a reasonable time for the performance of any act it requires and shall be served upon the owner or his agent, or the occupant, as the case may require, provided that such notice shall be deemed to be properly served upon such owner or agent, or upon such occupant, if a copy thereof is served upon him personally or if a copy thereof is sent by registered mail to his last known address or if a copy thereof is posted in a conspicuous place in or about the dwelling affected by the notice or if he is served with such notice by any other method authorized or required under the laws of this state. Such notice may contain an outline of remedial action which, if taken, will effect compliance with the provisions of this chapter and with rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto.
Any person affected by any notice which has been issued in connection with the enforcement of any provision of this chapter or of any rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto may request and shall be granted a hearing on the matter before the Health Officer, provided that such person shall file in the office of the Township Clerk a written petition requesting such hearing and setting forth a brief statement of the rounds therefor within 10 days after the day the notice was served. Upon receipt of such petition, the Health Officer of the Township of Cranbury shall set a time and place for such hearing and shall give the petitioner written notice thereof. At such hearing, the petitioner shall be given an opportunity to be heard and to show why such notice should be modified or withdrawn. The hearing shall be commenced not later than 10 days after the day on which the petition was filed, provided that, upon application of the petitioner, the Health Officer of the Township of Cranbury may postpone the date of the hearing for a reasonable time beyond such ten-day period if, in his judgment, the petitioner has submitted a good and sufficient reason for such postponement.
After such hearing, the Health Officer of the Township of Cranbury shall sustain, modify or withdraw the notice, depending upon his findings as to whether the provisions of this chapter and of the rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto have been complied with. If the Health Officer of the Township of Cranbury sustains or modifies such notice, it shall be deemed to be an order. Any notice served pursuant to this chapter shall automatically become an order if a written petition for a hearing is not filed in the office of the Township Clerk within 10 days after such notice is served.
The proceedings at such hearing, including the findings and decision of the Health Officer of the Township of Cranbury, shall be summarized, reduced to writing and entered as a matter of public record in the office of the Township Clerk. Such record shall also include a copy of every notice or order issued in connection with the matter. Any person aggrieved by the decision of the Health Officer of the Township of Cranbury may seek relief therefrom in any court or competent jurisdiction, as provided by the laws of the state.
Whenever the Health Officer finds that an emergency exists which requires immediate action to protect the public health or safety, he may, without notice or hearing, issue an order reciting the existence of such an emergency and requiring that such action be taken as he deems necessary to meet the emergency. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this chapter, such order shall be effective immediately. Any person to whom such order is directed shall comply therewith immediately but, upon petition to the Health Officer, shall be afforded a hearing as soon as possible. After such hearing, depending upon his findings as to whether the provisions of this chapter and of the rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto have been complied with, the Health Officer shall continue such order in effect or modify it or revoke it.
The Health Officer of the Township of Cranbury is hereby authorized and empowered to make and adopt such written rules and regulations as he may deem necessary for the proper enforcement of the provisions of this chapter; provided, however, that such rules and regulations shall not be in conflict with the provisions of this chapter nor in anywise alter, amend or supersede any of the provisions thereof. The Health Officer shall file a certified copy of all rules and regulations which he may adopt in his office and in the office of the Clerk of the Township of Cranbury.
Nothing in this chapter nor in any section thereof nor in the New Jersey State Housing Code hereby adopted shall be construed to require structural alterations of the foundation or any of the wall or ceiling beams of any dwelling in existence on the date of adoption hereof.
No person shall occupy, as owner-occupant, or rent to another for occupancy any dwelling or dwelling unit for the purpose of living therein which does not conform to the provisions of the New Jersey State Housing Code established hereby as the standard to be used in determining whether a dwelling is safe, sanitary and fit for human habitation.
Anything to the contrary contained herein notwithstanding, the provisions of this chapter shall not be deemed to affect any dwellings, dwelling units or rooming units in existence on the date of final adoption of this chapter until a date three years thereafter, at which time said chapter shall become effective as to said existing dwellings, dwelling units or rooming units.
Any person, firm or corporation who shall violate any provision of this chapter shall, upon conviction thereof, be punishable by a fine of not more than $500 nor less than $5.