At least 50% of the dwelling units located within
the Borough of Highland Park are rental units which are not owner
occupied. There presently exists a downward trend in the maintenance
of these rental units. The intent is to intervene and prevent the
further deterioration of the rental units in the Borough of Highland
Park, and to insure, with efficient and regular inspections, that
the care and maintenance of these structures is kept to a minimum
standard. Thus in order to protect the health, safety and welfare
of the citizens of the Borough of Highland Park, it is necessary to
adopt maintenance standards for rental properties, commercial properties
and hotels and multiple dwellings.
The local enforcement agency shall enforce the
New Jersey State Uniform Construction Code, New Jersey State Uniform
Fire Code, International Property Maintenance Code, New Jersey State
Housing Code, New Jersey Hotel and Multiple Dwelling Code and Regulations
adopted for all buildings, structures and premises within the established
boundaries of the Borough of Highland Park.
All inspections conducted pursuant to this Act
shall be performed in accordance with the procedures set forth in
the current International Property Maintenance Code with the exception
that any inspections conducted pursuant to the Uniform Fire Code shall
be performed in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Uniform
Fire Code.
[Amended 12-18-2007 by Ord. No. 07-1733]
The Department of Code Enforcement shall prepare
appropriate application forms for a certificate of continuing occupancy.
These forms shall be requested and completed by the owner, agent,
realtor, broker, or other individual of such property and a certificate
granted before a change of ownership shall take place.
[Amended 12-18-2007 by Ord. No. 07-1733]
The Department of Code Enforcement shall prepare
appropriate application forms for a certificate of leased occupancy
and the registration of each property. These forms shall be requested
and completed by the owner, agent, broker or other individual of such
rental properties, inspections arranged for, completed, and certificate
granted before any actual change in occupancy shall take place.
[Amended 12-18-2007 by Ord. No. 07-1733; 9-8-2009 by Ord. No. 09-1768; 2-16-2016 by Ord. No. 16-1902]
The following will be a per-unit fee.
Any person or persons who violates any provision
of this article is subject to penalties of not more than $500.
[Added 10-9-2018 by Ord.
No. 18-1970]
A.
The Department of Code Enforcement shall inspect and issue certificates of continued occupancy on the sale of residential multiple-dwelling units and apartment buildings in order to ensure compliance with the various codes set forth in § 135-22 hereinabove. For purposes of this section, a residential multiple dwelling or apartment shall include dwellings of four or more residential units. The purpose of enforcing at the time of sale the codes referenced in § 135-22 hereinabove is to ensure that the care and maintenance of these structures comply with said codes in order to protect the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the Borough of Highland Park.
B.
In performing said inspections, the following fees shall be charged
to the seller of the residential multiple-dwelling unit or apartment
buildings:
