This chapter shall be known as the "Property Maintenance Code of the Township of Egg Harbor" and may be referred to in this chapter in the short form as the "Property Maintenance Code" or as "this code."
A. 
It is hereby found and declared that there exist in the Township of Egg Harbor structures and vacant lots which are or may become in the future substandard with respect to structural integrity, equipment or maintenance or, further, that such conditions, including but not limited to structural deterioration; lack of maintenance of exterior premises and vacant lots; infestation; existence of fire hazards, constitute a menace to the health, safety, welfare and reasonable comfort of the citizens and inhabitants of the Township of Egg Harbor.
B. 
It is further found and declared that, by reason of lack of maintenance and ensuing progressive deterioration, certain properties have the further effect of creating blighting conditions and that, if the same are not curtailed and removed, the aforesaid conditions will grow and spread and will necessitate in time the expenditure of large amounts of public funds to correct and eliminate the same and that, by reason of timely regulations and restrictions as herein contained, the growth of blight may be prevented and the neighborhood and property values thereby maintained, the desirability and amenities of dwellings and neighborhoods enhanced and the public health, safety and welfare protected and fostered.
A. 
The purpose of this code is to:
(1) 
Protect the public health, safety and welfare by establishing minimum standards governing the exterior maintenance, condition and structural integrity of residential and nonresidential premises.
(2) 
Authorize and establish procedures for the inspection of residential and nonresidential premises.
(3) 
Fix penalties for the violations of this code.
(4) 
Permit repairs.
(5) 
Provide for the repair, demolition or vacation of premises unfit for human habitation or occupancy or use.
B. 
This code is hereby declared to be remedial and essential for the public interest, and it is intended that this code be liberally construed to effectuate the purposes as stated herein.
A. 
Interchangeability. Words used in the present tense include the future; words in the masculine gender include the feminine and neuter; the singular number includes the plural and the plural the singular.
B. 
Terms defined in Building Code. Where terms are not defined in this section and are defined in the Building Code, they shall have the meanings ascribed to them as in the Building Code.
C. 
Terms not defined. Where terms are not defined under the provisions of this code or under the provisions of the Building Code, they shall have ascribed to them their ordinarily accepted meanings or such as the context herein may imply.
D. 
Meaning of certain words. Whenever the words "accessory structure," "building," "dwelling," "dwelling unit" or "structure" are used in this code, they shall be construed, unless expressly stated to the contrary, to include the plurals of these words and as if they were followed by the words "or any part thereof." The word "shall" shall be applied retroactively as well as prospectively.
E. 
Applied meaning of words and terms. Unless otherwise expressly stated, the following terms shall, for the purposes of this code, have the meanings indicated in this section:
ACCESSORY STRUCTURE
A detached building which is customarily used as an incidental building to a principal building and is located on the same lot with such principal building.
APPROVED
As applied to a material, device or method of construction, approved by the Building Inspector under the provisions of this code, or approved by other authority designated by law to give approval in the matter in question.
BUILDING
A structure enclosed with exterior walls or fire walls, built erected and framed of component structural parts, designed for the housing shelter, enclosure and support of individuals, animals or property of any kind. When used herein, building and structure shall be interchangeable except where the context clearly indicates otherwise.
BUILDING INSPECTOR
The official designated by the Township to enforce building, zoning, or similar laws and this code, or his duly authorized representative.
DETERIORATION
The condition of a structure or part thereof characterized by holes, breaks, rot, crumbling, cracking, peeling, rusting or other evidence of physical decay or neglect, lack of maintenance or excessive use.
ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
The official designated herein or otherwise charged with the responsibilities of administering the code, or his authorized representatives.
EXTERIOR PROPERTY AREAS
The open space on the premises and on adjoining premises under the control of the owners or operators of said premises.
EXTERMINATION
The control and elimination of insects, rodents and other pests by eliminating their harborage places, by removing or making inaccessible materials that may serve as their food, by poison, spraying, fumigating or trapping or by any other approved pest-elimination methods.
FIRE HAZARD
Any thing or any act which increases or may cause an increase of the hazard or menace of fire to a greater degree than that customarily recognized as normal by persons in the public service of preventing; suppressing or extinguishing fire or which may obstruct, delay or hinder or may become the cause of an obstruction, delay, hazard or hindrance to the prevention, suppression or extinguishment of fire. (See also "nuisance.")
GARBAGE
Putrescible animal and vegetable waste resulting from the handling, preparation, cooking and consumption of food.
INFESTATION
The presence, within or contiguous to a structure or premises, of insects, rodents, vermin or other pests.
NUISANCE
(1) 
The physical condition, or use of any premises regarded as a public nuisance at common law; or
(2) 
Any physical condition, use or occupancy of any premises or its appurtenances considered an attractive nuisance to children, including, but not limited to, abandoned wells, shafts, basements, excavations and unsafe fences or structures; or
(3) 
Any premises which is manifestly capable of being a fire hazard, or are manifestly unsafe or insecure as to endanger life, limb or property; or
(4) 
Any premises from which utilities have been disconnected, destroyed, removed or rendered ineffective, or the required precautions against trespassers have not been provided; or
(5) 
Any premises which is unsanitary, or which is littered with rubbish or garbage, or which has an uncontrolled growth of weeds; or
(6) 
Any structure or building that is in a state of dilapidation, deterioration or decay; faulty construction; overcrowded; open, vacant or abandoned; damaged by fire to the extent so as not to provide shelter, in danger of collapse or failure and dangerous to anyone on or near the premises.
OCCUPANT
Any person living, sleeping or having actual possession of a business, dwelling unit or room unit.
OWNER
The owner or owners of the freehold of the premises or lesser estate therein or a mortgagee or vendee in possession, assignee of rents, receiver, executor, trustee, lessee or other person, firm or corporation in control of a building, or their duly authorized agents.
PERSON
An individual, firm, corporation, association or partnership.
PREMISES
A lot, plot or parcel of land, including the buildings or structures thereon and shall also include the area between the sidewalk and the gutter line where applicable.
RUBBISH
All combustible and noncombustible waste materials other than garbage, including, but not limited to, paper, rags, cartons, boxes, wood, excelsior, rubber, leather, tree branches, yard trimmings, tin cans, metals, mineral matter, glass, crockery, and the residue from burning wood, coal, coke or other combustible materials, solid market and industrial waste.
STRUCTURE
A combination of materials to form a construction for occupancy, use or ornamentation, whether installed on, above, or below the surfaces of a parcel of land.
UTILITIES
Gas service and equipment therefor, electric service and equipment therefor and water supply, including hot water, and equipment therefor.
VACANT LOT
See "premises."
WEATHERING
Deterioration, decay or damage caused by exposure to the elements.
WORKMANLIKE STATE OF MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR
Such maintenance and repair as are made in a reasonably skillful manner.
YARD
An open unoccupied space on the same lot with a building, extending along the entire length of a street, rear, or interior lot line.