Source: https://www.ecode360.com/28460467
Timestamp: 2019-05-21 08:29:17
Document Index: 587592640

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 558', '§ 558', '§ 558', '§ 558', '§ 558', '§ 558', '§ 558']

Township of Morris, NJ Housing Code
§ 558-1 Designation of enforcing officer.
§ 558-2 Adoption of standards by reference; additional standards.
§ 558-3 Inspections.
§ 558-4 Notice of violation; hearing and correction procedures.
§ 558-5 Additional rules and regulations authorized.
§ 558-6 Use of unfit dwellings.
§ 558-7 Violations and penalties.
Chapter 558 Housing Code
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Health of the Township of Morris 4-11-1963 by Ord. No. H3-63 (Ch. 108 of the 1969 Code). Amendments noted where applicable.]
The Health Administrator of the Township of Morris be and he is hereby designated as the officer to exercise the powers prescribed by the within chapter, and he shall serve in such capacity without any additional salary.
Pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 40:59-5.1, the current New Jersey State Housing Code, as adopted and approved by the Department of Community Affairs and as set forth in N.J.A.C. 5:28-1.1 et seq., be and the same is hereby accepted, adopted and established as the standards to guide the public officer or his agents in determining the fitness of a building for human habitation, use or occupancy. 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 of the Township of Morris and are available to all persons desiring to use and examine the same.
[Amended 2-11-1986 by Ord. No. 1-86[1]]
All sections of the New Jersey State Housing Code referring to heating of rented dwellings are hereby deleted, and in their place and stead the following is added:
[Added 11-9-1983 by Ord. No. 35-83]
As mandated by Title 5, Community Affairs, Chapter 28, New Jersey State Housing Code.[2]
In meeting the aforesaid standards, the owner shall not be responsible for heat loss and the consequent drop in the interior temperature arising out of action by the occupants in leaving windows or doors open to the exterior of the building. The owner shall be obligated to supply required fuel or energy and maintain the heating system in good operating condition so that it can supply heat as required herein, notwithstanding any contractual provision seeking to delegate or shift responsibility to the occupant or third person, except that the owner shall not be required to supply fuel or energy for heating purposes to any unit where the occupant thereof agrees in writing to supply heat to his own unit of dwelling space and the said unit is served by its own exclusive heating equipment for which the source of heat can be separately computed and billed.
The Health Administrator 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 Morris 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 Administrator 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 Administrator 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 Administrator 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; include a statement of the reasons why it is being issued; allow a reasonable time for the performance of any act it requires; and 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 Administrator, provided such person shall file in the office of the Health Administrator a written petition requesting such hearing and setting forth a brief statement of the grounds therefor within 10 days after the day the notice was served. Upon receipt of such petition, the Health Administrator 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 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 Administrator 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 Administrator 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 Administrator 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 Health Administrator within 10 days after such notice is served. The proceedings at such hearing, including the findings and decision of the Health Administrator, shall be summarized, reduced to writing and entered as a matter of public record in the office of the Health Administrator. 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 Administrator may seek relief therefrom in any court of competent jurisdiction, as provided by the laws of the state. Whenever the Health Administrator 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 Administrator 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 Administrator shall continue such order in effect or modify it or revoke it.
The Health Administrator 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 Administrator 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 Morris.
Any person, firm or corporation who shall violate any of the provisions of this chapter shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine not to exceed $200 or by imprisonment in the county jail for a period not to exceed 90 days, or by both such fine and imprisonment, and each violation of any of the provisions of this chapter, and each day the same is violated, shall be deemed and taken to be a separate and distinct offense.