Borough of Northvale, NJ Article III Certificates of Continued Occupancy for Residential Units

[Adopted 7-10-1996 by Ord. No. 702-96]

§ 80-14 Certificate required before occupancy.

From the effective date of this article, no residential premises, property or land used or portion thereof shall be sold, relet, rerented or otherwise occupied by a new owner, tenant or subtenant without the issuance, pursuant to the proper application therefor, and an inspection of and then issuance of a certificate of continued occupancy (CCO).

§ 80-15 Time limit for filing application and scheduling inspection.

Applicants must file an application and schedule an inspection at least 21 business days before the certificate will be required.

§ 80-16 Responsibility of owners.

The owner, landlord or agent of all premises shall be responsible for notification to the Office of Code Compliance and Building Department of the pendency of any new tenancy or ownership and for obtaining the required certificates.

§ 80-17 Inspections; issuance of certificate.

A. The Code Compliance Official/Construction Official or his/her designee shall, upon application for a CCO, conduct an inspection of the premises to ensure compliance with applicable Borough ordinances, rules and regulations affecting the use and occupancy of all such dwelling houses and dwelling units or structures or land. The inspection shall include but not be limited to the following:

(1) The use of the property is a legal permitted use in the zone.

(2) The property is not in violation of Chapter 147, Property Maintenance.

(3) Sump pumps are not connected to the sewer system.

(4) Flue connections are properly sealed.

(5) Pools are fenced, in accordance with requirements.

B. A certificate of continued occupancy shall be issued upon completion of a satisfactory inspection.

§ 80-18 Enforcement.

The Code Compliance Official or his/her designee shall enforce the provisions of this article.

§ 80-19 Fees.

[Amended 3-10-1999 by Ord. No. 735-99]

A fee of $50 shall be paid at the time of filing an application for a CCO in the event of a sale of the property. A fee of $10 shall be charged for a change of tenancy or rental.

§ 80-20 Notification of requirement for certificate.

To assist in the enforcement of this article, a notice shall be included on all tax search and added assessment searches prepared by the Tax Collector of the Borough of Northvale stating that a certificate of continuing occupancy is required upon the sale of the property; provided, however, that a failure to give such notice shall not constitute a defense for a failure to obtain a certificate of continuing occupancy in violation of this article.

§ 80-21 Effect on other municipal ordinances.

Nothing contained in this article shall exempt any of the dwellings or buildings or parts of buildings or land covered by this article from full and complete compliance with any other provisions of any other ordinance or ordinances of the Borough of Northvale as the same may be applicable.

§ 80-22 Compliance with procedures required.

No owner, tenant, occupant or agent shall lease, sublet, transfer title or permit the use or the occupancy of any residential structure or unit without following the procedures set forth in this article.

§ 80-23 Violations and penalties.

Any persons, firms, corporations or any other entity who or which violates any provision of this article shall be punishable as provided in Chapter 1, General Provisions, Article II, General Penalties. Each day of a violation shall be considered a separate offense.