[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of Knowlton 8-14-1978 as Sec. 10-9 of the Revised General Ordinances. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The Zoning Officer of the Township is hereby designated as the officer to exercise the powers prescribed within this chapter, and he shall serve in such capacity without any additional salary.
Pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 21 of P.L. 1946, as amended, N.J.S.A. 40:49-5.1, the New Jersey Private Campground Code, as approved by the Department of Health and the Department of Conservation and Economic Development and filed in the Secretary of State's office, is hereby accepted, adopted and established as a standard to be used as a guide in determining whether campground dwellings, as well as their facilities, located in this Township are safe, sanitary and fit for human habitation and rental. Three copies of the Private Campground Code have been placed on file in the office of the Township Clerk and are available to all persons desiring to use and examine the same.
The Township Zoning Officer is hereby authorized and directed to make inspections to determine the condition of camp dwellings, as well as their facilities, located within the Township in order that he may perform his duty of safeguarding the health and safety of the occupants of camp dwellings, as well as their facilities, and of the general public. For the purpose of making such inspections, the Zoning Officer is hereby authorized to enter, examine and survey at all reasonable times all camp dwellings, as well as their facilities. The owner or occupant of every camp dwelling, as well as its facilities, or the person in charge thereof, shall give the Zoning Officer free access to such dwelling, as well as its facilities, at all reasonable times for the purpose of such inspection, examination and survey. Every occupant of a camp dwelling shall give the owner thereof, or his agent or employee, access to any part of such camp dwelling, as well as its facilities, at all reasonable times for the purpose of making such repairs or alterations as are necessary to effect compliance with the provisions of this chapter or with any lawful rule or regulations adopted or any lawful order issued pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
Whenever the Zoning Officer determines that there are reasonable grounds to believe that there has been a violation of any provision of this chapter, or of any rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto, he shall give notice of such alleged violation to the person responsible therefor as hereinafter provided. Such notice shall be:
A. 
Put in writing;
B. 
Include a statement of the reasons it is being issued;
C. 
Allow a reasonable time for the performance of any act it requires; and
D. 
Be served upon the owner or his agent, or the occupant, as the case may require, provided that such notice shall be deemed to be properly served upon such owner or occupant if a copy thereof is served upon him personally; or if a copy thereof is sent by registered mail to his last known address; or if a copy thereof is posted in a conspicuous place in or about the dwelling or premises affected by the notice; or if he is served with such notice by any other method authorized or required under the laws of this state. Such notice may contain an outline of remedial action which, if taken, will effect compliance with the provisions of this chapter and with rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto.
A. 
Any person affected by any notice which has been issued in connection with the enforcement of any provision of this chapter, or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto, may request and shall be granted a hearing on the matter before the Township Committee, provided that such person shall file in the office of the Township Clerk a written petition requesting such hearing and setting forth a brief statement of the grounds thereof within 10 days after the day the notice was served.
B. 
Upon receipt of such petition the Township Committee shall set a time and place for such hearing and shall give the petitioner written notice thereof. At such hearing the petitioner shall be given an opportunity to be heard and to show why such notice should be modified or withdrawn. The hearing shall be commenced not later than 10 days after the day on which the petition was filed, provided that, upon application to the petitioner, the Township Committee may postpone the date of the hearing for a reasonable time beyond such ten-day period, if in its judgment the petitioner has submitted a good and sufficient reason for such postponement. After such hearing, the Township Committee shall sustain, modify or withdraw the notice, depending upon its findings as to whether the provisions of this chapter and the rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto have been complied with. If the Township Committee sustains or modifies such notice, it shall be deemed to be an order. Any notice served pursuant to this chapter shall automatically become an order if a written petition for a hearing is not filed in the office of the Township Clerk within 10 days after such notice is served. The proceedings at such hearing, including the findings and decision of the Township Committee, shall be summarized, reduced to writing and entered as a matter of public record in the office of the Township Clerk. Such record shall also include a copy of every notice or order issued in connection with the matter. Any person aggrieved by the decision of the Township Committee may seek relief therefrom in any court of competent jurisdiction, as provided by the laws of the State. Whenever the Township Zoning Officer finds that an emergency exists which requires immediate action to protect the public health or safety, he may, without notice or hearing, issue an order reciting the existence of such an emergency and requiring that such action be taken as he deems necessary to meet the emergency. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this chapter, such order shall be effective immediately. Any person to whom such order is directed shall comply therewith immediately, but upon petition to the Township Committee shall be afforded a hearing as soon as possible. After such hearing, depending upon its findings as to whether the provisions of this chapter and of the rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto have been complied with, the Township Committee shall continue such order in effect or modify it or revoke it.
The Township Committee is hereby authorized and empowered to make and adopt such written rules and regulations as it may deem necessary for the proper enforcement of the provisions of this chapter, provided that such rules and regulations shall not be in conflict with the provisions of this chapter, nor in anywise alter, amend or supersede any of the provisions thereof. The Township Committee shall file a certified copy of all rules and regulations which it may adopt in its office and in the office of the Township Clerk.
No person shall occupy as owner-occupant or rent to another for occupancy any camp dwelling, as well as its facilities, for the purpose of living therein which does not conform to the provisions of the Private Campground Code established hereby as the standard to be used in determining whether a camp dwelling is safe, sanitary and fit for human habitation.
Permits issued pursuant to Section III of the Public Campgrounds Code shall be valid from the date of issue thereof until May 15 of the following year. Any person, firm or corporation applying for a permit to construct, expand, maintain or operate a private campground shall pay to the Township of Knowlton a fee of $200 for such permit or any renewal thereof. No permit shall be issued or renewed until such fee has been paid.
Any person who shall violate any of the terms or provisions of this chapter shall, upon conviction thereof, be subject to the penalty stated in Chapter 1, General Provisions, Article II, General Penalty.