Exciting enhancements are coming soon to eCode360! Learn more 🡪
Township of Winslow, NJ
Camden County
By using eCode360 you agree to be legally bound by the Terms of Use. If you do not agree to the Terms of Use, please do not use eCode360.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Code
New Laws (8) Index
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of Winslow: Art. I, 6-29-83 as Ord. No. 0-11-83; Art. II, 10-23-85 as Ord. No. 0-30-85; amended in its entirety 9-13-2022 by Ord. No. O-2022-026. Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:14-70, there is hereby created a single Fire District which shall have as its boundaries the Township of Winslow, County of Camden and State of New Jersey.
The Commissioners of the Fire District herein established shall have the powers, duties and functions within said district to the same extent as in the case of municipalities relating to the prevention or extinguishment of fires and the regulation of fire hazards as set out in N.J.S.A. 40A:14-81.
The Fire District hereby established shall be administered by Fire Commissioners who shall be elected pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:14-70 et seq.
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 52:27D-196 et seq., the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code shall be locally enforced within the Township of Winslow, in all uses by the Winslow Township Fire District #1.
The local enforcing agency shall be the Winslow Township Fire Department, Fire Prevention Division.
The local enforcing agency shall enforce the Uniform Fire Safety Act and the codes and regulations adopted under it in all buildings, structures and premises, except owner-occupied detached Use Group R-3 structures used exclusively for dwelling purposes under said codes and regulations within the Township of Winslow, and shall faithfully comply with the requirements of the Uniform Fire Safety Act and Uniform Fire Code. Except in the case of cyclical inspection programs, i.e., one- and two-family dwelling resales, or other good cause, inspections shall not include occupied dwelling units.
The local enforcing agency established by § 142-5 of this article shall carry out the periodic inspections of life-hazard uses required by the Uniform Fire Code on behalf of the Commissioner of Community Affairs.
a. 
Appointment of the Fire Marshal. The Fire Marshal shall be appointed by the Board of Fire Commissioners.
b. 
Terms of Office. The terms of the office for the Fire Marshal and the Fire Inspectors, Investigators, Fire Prevention Specialists and employees shall be set forth by the Board of Fire Commissioners.
c. 
Fire Inspectors, Investigators, Fire Prevention Specialists and employees. The Fire District shall appoint such Inspectors/Investigators/Fire Prevention Specialists as may be necessary to carry out all required inspection activity in the Fire District. Such inspectors shall be under the supervision and control of the Fire Marshal. All life hazard use inspectors shall be certified by the State.
d. 
Attorney. Pursuant to N.J.A.C. 5:71-3.2(d), the Fire District shall appoint an attorney as the designated local enforcing agency attorney.
e. 
Removal from Office. The Fire Marshal and the Fire Inspectors, Investigators, Fire Prevention Specialists and other employees of the enforcing agency shall be subject to removal by the Board of Fire Commissioners for inefficiency or misconduct so long as guidelines for discipline are adhered to as outlined in the New Jersey Department of Personnel statutes.
Pursuant to Sections 15 and 17 of the Uniform Fire Safety Act, N.J.S.A. 52:27D-206 and 207D-208, any person aggrieved by any order of the local enforcement agency shall have the right to appeal to the Construction Board of Appeals of Camden County.
In addition to the inspections and fees for life hazard uses as set by the New Jersey State Uniform Fire Code, the following additional inspections and fees, as mandated by the State of New Jersey and the Township of Winslow shall be required: (Refers to Winslow Township Fire Department, Fire Prevention Division Inspection Fee Schedule).
A. 
The Fire Official will register all non-life hazard structures and premises within the township, except single-family dwellings occupied by the holder of title to the property and any structures ancillary thereto and dwelling units within two-family and multifamily dwellings.
B. 
Inspection fees for non-life hazard structures and premises shall be:
(1) 
Residential buildings/residential use group: time of inspection, once every twelve (12) months.
(2) 
Residential use group: includes buildings with dwelling units not otherwise classified as life-hazard used by the New Jersey Division of Fire Safety, except one- or two-family owner-occupied units.
Number of Units
Fee
1 to 3
$55.00
4 to 10
$110.00
11 to 20
$140.00
21 to 40
$175.00
For each additional 20 or less
$40.00
(3) 
Commercial, mercantile, business or industrial use groups include all buildings not listed as life hazard uses by the New Jersey Division of Fire Safety. Fees are based upon gross floor areas occupied by that particular business.
Number of Units
Fee
Building with or without attached dwelling unit(s) not exceeding 1,000 square feet
$50.00
Building with or without attached dwelling unit(s) exceeding 1,000 square feet, not exceeding 3,000 square feet
$65.00
Building exceeding 3,001 square feet, not exceeding 6,000 square feet
$100.00
Building exceeding 6,001 square feet, not exceeding 9,000 square feet
$145.00
Building exceeding 9,001 square feet, not exceeding 12,000 square feet
$180.00
Building exceeding 12,001 square feet, not exceeding 15,000 square feet
$225.00
Building exceeding 15,001 square feet, not exceeding 50,000 square feet
$350.00
Building exceeding 50,001 square feet, not exceeding 100,000 square feet
$300.00
Each additional 100,000 square feet or part thereof
$375.00
NOTE: Each floor area shall be calculated as separate areas for total building area calculation.
(4) 
The tenant, user or occupant of a tenant space will be responsible to register and pay the fee for the space that a tenant, user or occupant of the space occupies. All fees are based on the Use Group assigned and the gross square footage of the area being registered.
(5) 
In buildings that have a common area or public area, the owner of the building is responsible to register and pay the fee to those common and/or public areas.
(6) 
All registrations are for a period of up to one (1) year. Fees are non-refundable.
C. 
Exemptions. The following building or structure, if not otherwise classified as a life hazard use with the Division of Fire Safety, shall be exempt from registration fees, but shall comply with the registration and inspection requirements pursuant to the Act.
(1) 
Municipally owned buildings.
(2) 
Fire stations.
(3) 
EMS stations.
(4) 
Houses of worship (excluding rooms used for Public Assembly Purposes, i.e., meeting halls, fellowship halls, rental halls).
(5) 
Winslow Township civic groups, not for profit (i.e., Athletic Associations, Boy Scouts, Little Leagues).
D. 
Fire safety permit fees shall be in accordance with the fees established by the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code, Section 50:70-2.9. All increases in the Uniform Fire Code are automatic, concurrent with the updating of that code.
Type I Permit
$54.00
Type II Permit
$214.00
Type III Permit
$427.00
Type IV Permit
$641.00
E. 
Miscellaneous fees.
Fire Reports
$35.00
Certificate of Fire Code Status
$50.00
Returned Check Charge
$35.00
F. 
Certificate of Smoke Alarms/Carbon Monoxide Alarm and Portable Fire Extinguisher Compliance. Certifications are valid for ninety (90) days from issue.
(1) 
All smoke alarms whether properly operational or not, must not exceed ten (10) years of age from date of manufacture.
(2) 
All alarm devices must follow manufacturers recommendations.
14 or more days prior notice to inspect
$65.00
Less than 7 days prior notice to inspect
$100.00
Less than 3 days prior notice to inspect
$150.00
Reinspection (per visit)*
$35.00
Failure to keep appointment
$35.00
Senior Citizens' Discount
$30.00
*Required after initial visit
(Smoke detector inspections are conducted on all one- and two-family residential dwellings for resale.)
G. 
Photographic Reproduction.
(1) 
The fee for photographic reproduction requested by any concerned party, plus the cost of reproduction, shall be $50.00.
(2) 
Exception: No additional costs will be charged for reproduction to compact disk format.
(3) 
The following table outlines the incremental increase per fiscal year:
User Fee
FY 2008
FY 2010
FY 2012
Photographic reproduction
$63.00
$75.00
$88.00
H. 
Civil Court Appearance and Depositions.
(1) 
Any employee or volunteer member of the Winslow Township Fire Department subpoenaed to testify in civil court or at a deposition shall appear and compensation to the Winslow Township Fire District #1 shall be made as follows:
$200.00 per hour, with a $800.00 minimum four-hour block and 65¢ per mile plus tolls for distances exceeding twenty-five (25) miles.
(2) 
The above Subsection H(1) shall have a five (5%) percent increase per calendar year.
I. 
Investigative Conferences and Meetings.
(1) 
Any uninterrupted ninety (90) minute conference at the Winslow Township Fire District Administrative Office, on site, or at a location designated by the requestor shall be set forth as follows: $135.00 per hour.
J. 
Exclusive Fire Safety Training.
(1) 
Fire Safety Training beyond the normal scope and delivery of Fire Safety programs administered by the Fire District, that is requested for the purpose of compliance with governmental regulation, including but not limited to fire extinguisher and evacuation planning, shall be compensated at the rate of $115.00 per hour with a maximum of twenty-five (25) students per session.
K. 
Hazardous Materials. All expenditures for providing hazardous materials mitigation supplied by the Winslow Township Fire District/Department will be the responsibility of the entity responsible and/or the owner of the property. Such costs will be itemized and reviewed by the Fire Chief prior to the invoice being sent to the responsible party and/or owner. The rate for Fire Personnel shall be set at $50.00 per hour per person. Rates shall be determined using the current at the time FEMA Schedule of Equipment Rates. Once an invoice is received by an entity, payment shall be made in full within sixty (60) days. Failure to pay within sixty (60) days will result in the responsible party being liable for a further penalty upon conviction for non-payment in Municipal Court. The penalty upon conviction is $50.00 for the first offense and $100.00 for each subsequent offense.
L. 
Cost of Suppression.
(1) 
If the origin and cause of the fire results from a violation of the Uniform Fire Safety Act previously cited by the Fire Marshal's Office, the owner/occupant shall be responsible for the cost of the fire suppression. If the incident and operations evolve beyond the normal delivery of service, costs associated will be applied as in 142-10, Section K.
(2) 
When requested or required to provide Fire Watch Coverage due to an emergent condition or requirement of a permit function, the cost of such service shall be as identified in 142-10, Section K.
(3) 
When requested to provide fire apparatus and/or personnel (with the exception of public relations or public education events), the requestor must reimburse the Fire District as identified in 142-10, Section K (ex., emergency standby).
M. 
Collection of Fees.
(1) 
Delinquent Fees.
(a) 
All fees and registration forms must be returned to the Fire Marshal's Office within thirty (30) days of having been mailed. Failure to respond within this thirty (30) day period will result in a default notice being sent by the Fire Marshal. If the registration and fees are not returned within fifteen (15) days of the default notice having been mailed, penalties will be imposed pursuant to the Uniform Fire Code. Failure to pay the registration fee or any penalties assessed shall result in a person being liable for a further penalty upon conviction for non-payment or non-registration. The penalty upon conviction is $50.00 for the first offense and $100.00 for each subsequent offense.
(b) 
Collection of any unpaid fee or penalty shall be enforced through the Winslow Township Municipal Court or a Court of competent jurisdiction.
(2) 
Authorization to Bill and Institute Litigation for Costs.
The Fire Chief or his/her designee is hereby authorized to bill and collect the costs due from any person responsible for said costs and, where necessary, to direct the Fire District Solicitor to institute litigation for the recovery of such costs.
(a) 
No relief of responsibility for ownership transfer. No property owner shall be relieved of the responsibility for costs of fire suppression arising under circumstances present during his/her ownership solely by reason of the fact that he/she has transferred ownership of the property before or after the fire giving rise to the costs.
(b) 
Additional actions and remedies. The remedies provided in this article shall supplement any remedies available to the Fire District by State law or are cumulative as other Township ordinances and shall not preclude the Fire District from taking any other action to recover costs associated with fire suppression services and the mitigation and removal of dangerous or hazardous conditions.
N. 
The regular business hours of the Winslow Township Fire Department, Fire Prevention Division shall be 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Upon passage of this chapter, the following fee schedule shall be implemented for after-hour inspections where inspections are requested to be performed after regular business hours:
Hour
Amount
1 hr or less
$50.00
1 hr to 4 hrs
$200.00
4 hrs to 8 hrs
$400.00
A. 
Storage or parking of internal combustion engine vehicle or equipment.
(1) 
General. No person shall store or park, or cause to store or park, any internal combustion engine vehicle or equipment (including but not limited to: motorcycle, moped, dirt bike, lawnmower, blower, weed trimmer, snow blower or any such equipment) within or on any apartment or multi-family dwelling unit, porch, balcony, covered patio, entrance, exit, common area, laundry room, basement or mechanical room, or any other private area of an apartment or multi-family dwelling.
(2) 
Exception. Approved storage areas designed and constructed with the required fire separation as required by the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code in effect at the time of the building's construction.
B. 
Outdoor fires.
(1) 
The use, storage, operation or maintenance of any open fire or any device commonly known as a "barbecue" (also included are open flame torches, fireplaces or fire pots, chimneys, or other such similar devices or equipment) is prohibited in or on any apartment or multi-family dwelling unit: porch, balcony, covered patio entrance (electric grills are permitted), exit, or any other private area of an apartment or multi-family dwelling unit.
(2) 
For the purpose of this section, an approved outdoor fire shall be classified as any fire taking place on a residential property within Winslow Township for the sole purpose of providing warmth or recreation and is contained within an approved device. Approved devices include commercially manufactured chimineas, outdoor fireplaces and fire pits with a total fuel are not exceeding three (3) feet in diameter and two (2) feet in height. All approved devices must be capable of being screened to control flying embers/brands.
(3) 
Outdoor fires shall not be located within twenty (20) feet of any property line and fifteen (15) feet from any combustible structure. Combustible structures include but are not limited to dwellings, garages, sheds, decks and fences.
(4) 
A readily available extinguishing agent shall be present such as a connected garden hose and/or fire extinguisher.
(5) 
Fuel for outdoor fires shall be limited to seasoned fire wood, natural gas or propane.
(6) 
Any outdoor fire not complying with paragraphs 1 - 5, in accordance with the New Jersey Stat Uniform Fire Code or as permitted through the New Jersey Forest Fire Service shall be prohibited.
C. 
Street obstructions.
(1) 
No person shall erect, construct, place or maintain any bumps, fences, gates, chains, bars, pipes, wood or metal horses, or any other type of obstruction in or on any street or road within Winslow Township. The word "street" shall mean any cartway accessible for vehicular traffic, including but not limited to, private streets or access lanes, fire lanes, as well as all public streets and highways within Winslow Township.
(2) 
Exception. Nothing herein shall prohibit the use of temporary barricades within Winslow Township by any appropriate governmental authority.
(3) 
Speed humps as described by the New Jersey Department of Transportation shall be permitted at the discretion of the Township Governing Body based on a recommendation from the Township Police Department and Consulting Engineer in consultation with the Township Fire Marshal, Public Works Superintendent and Emergency Medical Service on placement.
D. 
Fire lanes.
(1) 
There shall be no obstruction or blocking of fire hydrants, drafting sites, fire department connections for a standpipe or sprinkler system or fire lanes.
(2) 
Public Buildings: Fire Lanes/fire zones shall be designated on all land use plans and specifications for new construction or remodeling of any building. The Fire Official shall make recommendations as to the manner in which fire lanes and fire zones shall be set forth to the owner and to the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Adjustment.
(3) 
Design: Each fire lane shall be constructed to a minimum width of eighteen (18) feet, twelve (12) feet of which shall be paved, graveled or constructed of appropriate stable base with grass or sod topping. Construction of the fire lane can be combined with a pedestrian path appropriately located and constructed. The minimum vertical clearance shall not be less than fourteen (14) feet. All fire lanes shall be visually designated either by their form or by the material used in their construction. In the event that a stable base with grass or sod topping is used in order to have the fire lanes blend with the landscaping, their location shall be shown by appropriate shrubbery or other designation authorized by the Winslow Township Fire Department, Fire Prevention Division. When determining the type of construction that is appropriate for the fire lane, consideration shall be given to the aesthetics of the site. When the turning radius is less than twenty-eight (28) feet of any travel lane, driveway, street, fire lane, fire zone, or fire department access road, the inside radius must be mountable curb and stabilized to accommodate the Winslow Township Fire Department ladder truck weight of seventy-seven thousand (77,000) pounds. All fire lanes shall be maintained as originally designed, approved and installed.
(4) 
Location: Fire lanes shall be located so as to serve the entire building from the building site, so as to provide the most direct means of access for all emergency vehicles and to be sufficiently close to the building to provide the means to provide protection for the structure while being far enough removed so as to provide safety for the emergency vehicles using the fire lanes in the event of the collapse of the building. However, the ultimate authority, with respect to the determination for the location of the fire lanes and fire zones, shall lie with the Fire Official for the Township of Winslow. The Fire Official shall make the aforesaid determination after reviewing recommendations of both the Township Engineer and Township Planner.
(5) 
Signs and markings: Fire lanes and zones shall be appropriately posted with signs indicating the words "No Parking - Fire Lane" or "No Parking - Fire Zone" in red letters on a white background, with a red line bounding the perimeter of the sign, said sign to be a minimum of twelve (12) inches by eighteen (18) inches, made with rust resistant reflectorized coating, posted at the ends of each fire lane and a one-hundred-foot intervals therein. Fire zone areas shall also be designated by covering the face and top of the curb or painting a four-inch line on the pavement of the prohibited area with a solid yellow color of paint. The above criteria for the painting of fire areas is to be considered the minimum, and additional painting may be placed on the site consisting of crosshatches, solid yellow areas or such other designations, in addition to the curb or four-inch strip on the pavement as may serve as to act as a deterrent to parking in fire zones.
(6) 
Towing expense: Any vehicle that is towed as a result of a violation of this section shall be towed at the expense of the registered owner of such vehicle.
(7) 
Construction: This section shall not be construed so as to repeal or be inconsistent with any other provision contained in Chapter 276 of the Code of the Township of Winslow, but shall be concurrently enforced by both police authorities and authorized fire inspectors.
(8) 
Penalties:
First offense
$100.00
Second offense
$200.00
Third offense
$300.00
E. 
Appeals. Pursuant to the applicable sections of N.J.S.A. 52:27-206, any person aggrieved by any order of any local enforcement agency shall have the right to appeal to the Construction Board of Appeals of Camden County.
F. 
Commercial property identification of rear doors.
The rear exterior doors on multiple tenant commercial properties shall be identified with minimum two-inch (2") letters of contrasting colors stating the business name and unit number. The signage shall be provided and maintained up-to-date by the landlord at his expense. Names shall be updated as soon as occupancy changes.
G. 
Service Fees.
Fees for the services listed below shall be as follows:
Service
Fee
Photocopies (per page, single sided) (see N.J.S.A. 34:28-4)
1-10 pages (per page)
$0.75
11-20 pages (per page)
$0.50
21 or more pages (per page)
$0.25
The fee schedule set forth above shall be amended as appropriate in accordance with any statutory amendments.
Service
Fee
Status of Fire Code violations and penalties
$50.00
Fire watch (per hour/per fire fighter)
$50.00
Fire extinguisher training (per person)
$25.00 plus materials
Site plan review (per hour)
$75.00
Special meeting (per hour)
$75.00
H. 
Rapid Entry Boxes.
(1) 
Rapid entry key boxes as required by Section 506.1 of the International Fire Code and by this section shall be KNOX-Box Rapid Entry System, keyed to Winslow Township specifications.
(2) 
Rapid entry key box will be required on:
(a) 
Multiple occupancy buildings equipped with fire alarm or fire suppression systems.
(b) 
Buildings with fire alarm or fire suppression systems, roll down security shutters or grates or as deemed necessary by the Fire Marshal are required to have a rapid access key box installed at the expense of the owner or occupant of the structure, in an accessible location to be approved by the Fire Marshal. The key box shall be a type approved by the Fire Marshal and shall be installed in a manner approved by the Fire Marshal. The key box needs to be of a size necessary to meet the needs of the building or complex and shall contain the following pertinent items:
• Updated keys or key fobs necessary for access to all points of the premises.
• Keys to fire alarm control panels, keys necessary to operate or service fire alarm control panels and keys necessary to operate or service fire protection systems.
• Electronic entry cards.
• Elevator and emergency information.
• Floor plans.
• Any other pertinent information which may be needed in an emergency or as required by the Fire Chief or Fire Marshal.
(3) 
Access to key boxes shall only be available to authorized emergency personnel and only by the master key. A key inventory shall be conducted by the Winslow Township Fire Department once every three (3) months.
(4) 
Any building owner or occupant who fails to install a key box in violation of this ordinance, after receiving due notice from the Fire Marshal, will be issued a minimum penalty of $100.00. If the violation remains unabated after thirty (30) days from the date the original violation is issued, a daily penalty of $100.00 will be imposed for each day thereafter that the violation remains unabated.
I. 
Fire Access Roads.
(1) 
The following provisions shall apply relative to fire access roads:
(a) 
Fire apparatus access roads shall be provided in accordance with this chapter for every facility, use, building or portion of a building when any portion of a facility or any portion of an exterior wall of the first story of the building is located more than one hundred (100) feet from a fire apparatus access road as measured by an approved route around the exterior of the building or the facility in accordance with this chapter. Fire department access roads shall include public and private roadways and travel lanes. When access roads cannot be installed due to location on property, topography, waterways, nonnegotiable grades or other similar conditions, the Fire Official is authorized to require additional fire protection.
(b) 
More than one fire apparatus access road shall be provided when it is determined by the Fire Official that access by a single road might be impaired by vehicle congestion, condition of terrain, climatic conditions or other factors that could limit access.
(c) 
Fire access roads shall be maintained at all times as initially designed, approved and installed.
(2) 
The following exceptions shall apply:
(a) 
When buildings are completely protected with an approved automatic fire sprinkler system, the provisions set forth above may be modified by the Fire Official.
(b) 
Vertical clearance may be reduced, provided such reduction does not impair access by fire apparatus and approved signs are installed and maintained indicating the established vertical clearance when approved by the Fire Official.
J. 
Obstruction and control of fire apparatus access.
(1) 
General. The required width of a fire apparatus access road shall not be obstructed in any manner, including the parking of vehicles. Minimum required widths and clearances shall be maintained at all times. Entrances to roads, trails or other access ways which have been closed with gates and barriers shall not be obstructed by parked vehicles.
(2) 
Closure of access ways. The Fire Official is authorized to require the installation and maintenance of gates and barricades for access roads, trails or other access ways, not including pubic streets, alleys or highways. When required, gates and barricades shall be secured in an approved manner. Roads, trails, and other access ways which have been closed and obstructed shall not be used unless authorized by the property owner and the Fire Official.
K. 
Firewatch.
For purposes of this chapter, the term "fire watch" shall mean a person assigned to be in an area for the express purpose of notifying the Fire Department of an emergency, preventing a fire from occurring, extinguishing small fires, or protecting the public from fire or life safety dangers addressed in this chapter.