Exciting enhancements are coming soon to eCode360! Learn more 🡪
Township of Lafayette, NJ
Sussex 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.
Code
New Laws (0) Index
Editor's Note: Former Chapter XVI, Fire Prevention Code, previously codified herein and containing portions of Ordinance 12/30/80 was superseded by the Uniform Fire Safety Act, formerly codified as Chapter XVIA and containing portions of Ordinances 8/6/85, 10/21/86, 5/5/87 and 2-16/88.
[Ord. 12/17/02, Preamble]
The Uniform Fire Safety Act (P.L. 1983, c. 383) was enacted for the purpose of establishing a system for the enforcement of minimum fire safety standards throughout the State of New Jersey. The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs has promulgated minimum fire safety Standards which have been made part of the Uniform Fire Code (N.J.A.C. 5:70.1 et seq.). The Uniform Fire Safety Act authorizes municipalities to provide for local enforcement of these standards and to establish local enforcement agencies for that purpose and it is in the best interest of the Township of Lafayette to have the Uniform Fire Code enforced locally. The local fire service has agreed to the plan, which is set forth herein, for the administration and enforcement of the Uniform Fire Code.
[Ord. 12/17/02, § 1]
Pursuant to Section 11 of the Uniform Fire Safety Act (P.L. 1983, c. 383), the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code (N.J.A.C. 5:70.1 et seq.) shall be locally enforced in the Township of Lafayette.
[Ord. 12/17/02, § 2]
The local enforcing agency shall be the Township of Lafayette through its Bureau of Fire Prevention, which is hereby created therein. The Bureau of Fire Prevention shall hereinafter be known as the local enforcing agency.
[Ord. 12/17/02, § 3]
a. 
The local enforcing agency shall enforce the Uniform Fire Code in all buildings, structures, and premises within the established boundaries of the Township of Lafayette other than one and two unit owner-occupied dwellings used exclusively for dwelling purposes and buildings, structures, and premises owned or operated by the Federal Government, interstate agencies or the State.
b. 
The local enforcing agency shall faithfully comply with all the pertinent requirements of the Uniform Fire Safety Act and the Uniform Fire Code.
c. 
The Fire Official and/or the Fire Inspector, after compliance with N.J.A.C. 5:70-2.10, may assess, levy and collect penalties to ensure compliance in the amounts set for in N.J.A.C. 5:70-2:12 up to the maximum amounts set forth therein as the same may be amended from time to time and to issue a summons and complaint in the Superior Court of New Jersey and/or the municipal court for violations of state, county or municipal statutes, ordinances, rules and regulations pertaining hereto.
[Added 3-1-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-03]
[Ord. 12/17/02, § 4]
a. 
The Bureau of Fire Prevention established by subsection 16-1.3 of this section shall be under the direct supervision and control of a Fire Official who shall report to the Governing Body of the Township of Lafayette.
b. 
The Bureau of Fire Prevention shall have at least one paid inspector.
[Ord. 12/17/02, § 5]
a. 
Appointment and Qualification of the Fire Official. The Fire Official shall be certified by the State and appointed by the Governing Body.
b. 
Appointment and Qualifications of Inspectors and Other Employees. Inspectors and other employees of the enforcing agency shall be appointed by the Governing Body upon recommendation of the Fire Official. All life hazard use inspectors shall be certified by the State.
c. 
Appointment of Legal Counsel. The Governing Body shall specifically appoint legal counsel to assist the agency in enforcing the Uniform Fire Code.
d. 
Term of Office. The Fire Official shall serve for a term of a minimum of one year. Any vacancy shall be filled for the unexpired term.
e. 
Removal from Office. The Fire Official, inspectors and other employees of the agency shall be subject to removal by the Governing Body for just cause. Before removal from office, all persons shall be afforded an opportunity to be heard by the Governing Body or a hearing officer designated by the same.
[Ord. 12/17/02, § 6]
The Bureau of Fire Prevention established by subsection 16-1.3 of this section shall carry out the periodic inspections of life hazard uses required by the Uniform Fire Code on behalf of the Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs.
[Ord. 12/17/02, § 7; Ord. No. 2003-09; Ord. No. 2011-02]
a. 
In addition to the registrations required by the Uniform Fire Code, the following non-life-hazard uses shall register with the Bureau of Fire Prevention. These uses shall be inspected once per year and pay an annual fee. The following is the fee schedule for non-life-hazard uses:
1. 
Premises under 3,000 square feet: $65.
2. 
Premises from 3,000 square feet and under 6,000 square feet: $100.
3. 
Premises from 6,000 square feet and under 12,000 square feet: $150.
4. 
Premises from 12,000 square feet and above: $200.
5. 
Multilevel premises under 3 stories: $125.
6. 
Multilevel premises 3 to 6 stories: $175.
7. 
Hotels and motels without interior stairways and with less than 50 rooms: $75.
8. 
Hotels and motels without interior stairways and more than 50 rooms: $150.
9. 
Multifamily dwellings (Use Group R-2 as defined in the Uniform Construction Code): $100.
10. 
Life-hazard registration fees as per the Uniform Fire Code N.J.A.C. 5:70-2.9(a).
11. 
Residential smoke detector/carbon monoxide/fire extinguisher inspections:
(a) 
Request for CSDCMAC received more than 10 business days prior to change of occupant: $50.
(b) 
Request for CSDCMAC received less than 10 business days to the change of occupant: $100.
[Amended 3-1-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-03]
(c) 
Reinspection fee for CSDCMAC: $75.
[Amended 3-1-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-03]
b. 
Permits. Permit fees will follow the permit fee schedule under N.J.A.C. 5:70-2.9(c) of the Uniform Fire Code.
[Amended 3-1-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-03]
[Added 3-1-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-03]
a. 
Whenever it is deemed necessary for public safety, the Bureau and/or their designated agents may require the owners or operators of any uses in Subsections 16-1.7 and 16-1.8, all life-hazard and non-life-hazard uses or other similar uses to designate fire zones at entrances, loading doors or accessways to said premises and fire lanes in driveways leading from the street to the fire zones, as well as drafting locations. The size of the fire zone, fire lanes and/or drafting locations shall be set at the discretion of the Bureau and/or its designated agents based upon the size of property and such other facts as the Bureau deems necessary. A diagram demonstrating the proper manner of painting and lettering fire zones and fire lanes shall be made available by the Bureau and/or its designated agents. All line striping and lettering shall be legible at all times. A metal fire zone or fire lane sign shall be provided, erected and maintained by the owner or operator of the property and shall be placed and directed by the Bureau and/or its designated agents. A diagram of a fire zone or fire lane sign shall be made available by the Bureau and/or its designated agents.
b. 
No person shall, at any time, park a motor vehicle, locate a garbage dumpster or in any other manner obstruct a fire zone or fire lane, drafting locations or fire area or park within 10 feet of a fire hydrant or drafting location, whether or not that motor vehicle is occupied or the motor running. If at any time, due to weather conditions, vandalism or any extenuating circumstances, one of the fire zone or fire lane signs or fire zone or fire lane surface markings are not visible, the remaining markings or signs visible shall be deemed sufficient to provide notice of the existence of such fire zone or fire lane. If the Bureau determines that existing fire zone, fire lane and/or drafting locations signs have not been properly marked or delineated and/or proper documentation of said markings is not on file, new markings as outlined in this subsection may be required. All drafting locations as required hereunder shall be constructed, designated and maintained as per the diagram available from the Bureau of Fire Prevention.
c. 
The Bureau of Fire Prevention and/or its designated agents are authorized to tow motor vehicles and remove all obstructions from any fire zone, fire lane, fire area, or drafting locations. The Bureau and/or its designated agents are also authorized to tow motor vehicles and remove obstructions parked or standing within 10 feet of a fire hydrant. All motor vehicles and other obstructions which are removed pursuant to this section may be stored in a storage area approved by the Bureau and/or its designated agents. The cost of removal and storage shall be charged to the owner of the vehicle or other obstruction, and the charge shall be paid prior to release of said vehicle or obstruction. The Bureau and/or its designated agents shall give notice to the owner of the motor vehicle or obstruction, if the owner can be identified, within 24 hours after removal of the vehicle or obstruction.
d. 
The Fire Official/Fire Prevention Inspectors, in addition to other officers authorized by law to issue parking/traffic summonses, shall have concurrent jurisdiction to enforce the provisions of this section of the chapter. For any summons issued by the Bureau of Fire Prevention, said fines shall be dedicated to the Bureau of Fire Prevention via interlocal service agreement for the enforcement of the Code, and court costs associated are dedicated to the Lafayette Township Municipal Court. Said fees are to be reimbursed to the Bureau on a quarterly basis.
e. 
In the event that said designated fire lane, fire zone or fire area has been previously approved and marked accordingly and properly documented as existing, said area shall be deemed as having met the intent of the Code and shall be subject to the penalties section of this chapter, if otherwise not maintained or obstructed.
f. 
Any person who violates this provision of this chapter shall, upon conviction in Municipal Court, be punished by a fine of not less than $200. Each violation shall constitute a separate offense.