[1]
Editor's Note: Ordinance No. 2021-8, adopted 4-12-2021, provided that this article shall become effective for all property closings scheduled after 7-31-2021.
A. 
Prior to a change in ownership or occupancy of any commercial or residential property within the Township of Mount Laurel, the owner or their authorized agent must apply to the Construction Official for, and obtain, a certificate of continuing occupancy. Prior to issuing said certificate, the Construction Official or his or her designee shall inspect the property pursuant to Article I and confirm it is in compliance with the IPMC and the Township Code.
B. 
Upon completion of the application and payment of the fee as provided for in § 89-18 of the Code of the Township of Mount Laurel, the Construction Official shall schedule an inspection of the premises. It is the responsibility of the owner or their authorized agent to ensure that the Construction Official has access to the premises for inspection.
C. 
The housing inspection is a visual examination of all accessible physical components of the structure to determine continued occupancy. This inspection does not include a complete electrical, plumbing and heating equipment guarantee by the Construction Official.
[Amended 4-12-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-8]
D. 
The certificate of continued occupancy must be obtained within 90 days of the closing date. If the closing date is delayed, the seller may request an extension of the ninety-day deadline from the Construction Code Official, and, if good cause is shown, the Official shall authorize a reasonable extension until the closing. The seller shall identify the new closing date in the request for an extension.
[Amended 4-12-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-8]
E. 
If the property has received and passes its annual rental inspection and paid that required fee, the property owner shall not be required to pass a second inspection under this chapter, nor pay an additional fee and the construction code official, upon request from the owner, shall issue the certificate of continuing occupancy which shall be valid until the end of the calendar year.
[Added 4-12-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-8]
If the property does not comply with the requirements, no certificate of occupancy shall be issued. Upon inspection, if the Construction Official or his or her designee identifies any violations of the IPMC or the Township Code, the property owner shall have 90 days to correct any deficiencies and to schedule a reinspection of the property.
A. 
If requested 11 days prior to closing or longer, the fee for an initial inspection shall be $75. If requested between four and 10 days prior to closing, the fee shall be $100; and if requested three or less days prior to closing, the fee for inspection shall be $125. The fee for any required reinspections shall be $25 per reinspection. The Township will not guarantee scheduling availability if scheduled within the 10 days prior to closing. If the reinspection occurs within 30 days of the initial inspection and all items originally found deficient have been cured or corrected to the satisfaction of the Township inspector, the $25 reinspection fee shall be waived.
[Amended 4-12-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-8]
B. 
If the property is encumbered with a low- or moderate-income housing deed restriction and/or the primary owner of the property is aged 65 or older, the fees identified in Subsection A above shall be reduced by 50%.
[Added 4-12-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-8[1]]
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also redesignated former Subsection B as Subsection C.
C. 
It is the responsibility of the owner or their authorized agent to provide 24 hours' notice to cancel or reschedule an inspection, or the initial fee will still be assessed as if the inspection had taken place.
Failure to apply for or obtain a certificate of continuing occupancy shall constitute a violation of this chapter and shall be subject to the penalties provided for in § 89-6.