Township of Willingboro, NJ Article III Vacant Property

[Adopted 9-27-2011 by Ord. No. 2011-11]

§ 272-17 Corrective action required.

When a vacant, burned or otherwise damaged or deteriorated dwelling has been boarded, corrective action to bring the dwelling into full compliance with the Willingboro Property Maintenance Code shall begin within 30 days after the dwelling has been boarded and shall be completed and the boarding removed within a period of six months from the date of the boarding. The dwelling shall be subject to an inspection beginning four months from the date of the boarding. Failure to have begun the corrective action necessary to bring the dwelling into full compliance with the Willingboro Property Maintenance Code within 30 days after the dwelling has been boarded, and the failure to allow Township Code Enforcement Officers to gain access to the interior of the dwelling after proper notification, shall each constitute a separate violation of this code.

§ 272-18 Minimum specifications.

The minimum specifications to secure a vacant dwelling to abate interior requirements shall be as follows, unless otherwise approved in writing by the Director:

A. All windows on all levels, through which access to the interior of the dwelling can be made, shall be secured from the interior of the building with one-half-inch exterior-grade plywood sheathing, as shown in Exhibit A;[1]

[1] Editor's Note: Exhibit A is on file in the Township offices.

B. All window boards shall be fit to screen inset molding as shown;

C. All fabricated boards shall be painted with one coat of primer on the exterior surface;

D. All two-inch by four-inch interior wood stock used in securing the sheathing shall be padded with carpet-type material of minimum dimensions of four inches by eight inches, permanently attached. This padding shall be adjusted to prevent damage to interior walls and wood trim;

E. All exterior doors of the dwelling shall be secured from the exterior of the dwelling with three-fourths-inch exterior-grade plywood. Prior to securing plywood, cut four two-by-four pressure-treated pieces of lumber to fit the inside of the existing door frame. (See attached Detail A.[2]) Screw the pieces into the door frame with a three-inch hex head screw at 10 inches on center.

[2] Editor's Note: Detail A is on file in the Township offices.

F. Cut three-fourths-inch exterior-grade plywood to fit and enclose the existing opening, screw three-inch hex head screws and washers around the edge of the three-fourths-inch plywood at eight inches on center. (See attached Detail A.)

NOTE: Each door should be on a case-by-case basis, because not all doors are the same. The contractor should field verify the existing door conditions and make adjustments in the field accordingly.

§ 272-19 Maintenance requirements.

Maintenance of a secured vacant dwelling. All openings specified herein must remain secured in the manner prescribed herein, and the exterior of the dwelling must remain in compliance with all applicable provisions of this code. Failure of the owner, operator, or agent to maintain the secured vacant dwelling as prescribed herein shall subject them to legal action without further notice from the Director.

§ 272-20 Construal of provisions.

Compliance with these minimum specifications shall not include issuance of citations in the event that, subsequent thereto, the structure becomes open or otherwise falls below these minimum specifications. These specifications shall in no way abate, assume, substitute or replace the responsibility of any dweller and/or owner to secure and maintain the premises. These standards shall be reviewed on an annual basis.