[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.Â
Put in writing;
B.Â
Include a statement of the reasons it is being issued;
C.Â
Allow a reasonable time for the performance of any act it requires;
and
D.Â
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.Â
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.Â
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.
