[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Board
of Aldermen of the Town of Boonton 12-18-2006 by Ord. No. 29-2006; amended in its entirety 7-18-2011 by Ord. No. 14-2011. Subsequent amendments
noted where applicable.]
This chapter shall be known as the "Single-Family
Rental and Multifamily Housing Properties Ordinance of the Town of
Boonton."
Unless the context clearly indicates a different
meaning, the following words or phrases, when used in this chapter,
shall have the following meanings:
The individuals designated by the owner as the person(s)
authorized by the owner to perform any duty imposed upon the owner
by this chapter. If the owner provides no such designation, the owner
shall be considered the agent or managing agent. In any event, the
owner shall be responsible for any acts or omission by the designated
agent. The term does not necessarily mean a licensed real estate broker
or salesman of the State of New Jersey as those terms are defined
by N.J.S.A. 45:15-3; however, such term may include a licensed real
estate broker or salesman of the State of New Jersey if such person
designated by the owner as his agent is so licensed.
Any apartment, cottage, bungalow or other dwelling unit consisting
of one or more rooms occupying all or part of a floor or floors in
a building of one or more floors or stories, but not the entire building,
whether designed with or without housekeeping facilities for dwelling
purposes and notwithstanding whether the apartment is designed for
residence, office or the operation of any industry or business or
any other type of independent use.
Any building or structure or part thereof used for human
habitation, use or occupancy, and includes any accessory buildings
and appurtenances belonging thereto or usually enjoyed therewith.
Any room or rooms or suite or apartment thereof, whether
furnished or unfurnished, which is occupied or intended, arranged,
or designed to be occupied for sleeping dwelling purposes by one or
more persons, including but not limited to the owner thereof or any
of his servants, agents or employees, and shall include all privileges,
services, furnishings, furniture, equipment, facilities and improvements
connected with the use or occupancy thereof.
A room or enclosed floor space within a dwelling unit used
or designed to be used for living, sleeping, cooking or eating purposes,
excluding bathrooms, water closet compartments, laundries, pantries,
foyers or communicating corridors, closets and storage space.
The Boonton Housing Authority, which is exempt from the provisions
of this chapter.
Any apartment, dwelling, building, dwelling unit, habitable
room or lodging unit, as defined by this chapter, regardless of the
consideration for occupancy, including but not limited to money paid,
services rendered, or accommodation incident to employment.
The license issued by the Building Code Officer, or his or
her designee, attesting that the housing unit has been properly registered
in accordance with this chapter.
The person to whom the license is issued pursuant to this
chapter. The term "licensee" includes within its definition the term
"agent," where applicable.
A room or group of rooms containing no cooking facilities,
used for living purposes by a separate family or group of persons
living together or by a person living alone, within a building.
See "agent."
Any two or more housing units.
The person who owns, purports to own or exercises control
over any building.
A person to whom a permit is issued hereunder.
An individual, firm, corporation, partnership, association,
trust or other legal entity, or any combination thereof.
The person or persons to whom a housing unit is leased or
rented by the licensee.
Any single-family housing unit which is not owner occupied.
The number of individuals who may be properly accommodated
in the beds and other sleeping facilities located within any housing
unit.
A.
All housing units shall hereafter be registered with
the Code Enforcement Officer or designee on forms which shall be provided
for that purpose and which shall be obtained from the Code Enforcement
Officer or designee. Such registration shall occur on an annual basis
as provided herein.
B.
The Housing Authority of the Town of Boonton and any
and all properties owned, operated and managed by the Housing Authority
of the Town of Boonton are exempt from any and all of the provisions
of this chapter.
A.
Each housing unit shall be registered annually. The
registration term shall commence August 1 of each year and such registration
shall be valid until July 31 of the next year, at which time it shall
expire and a new registration shall occur. No housing unit shall hereafter
be rented unless the housing unit is registered and licensed in accordance
with this chapter.
B.
Each housing unit shall be licensed for two years.
The license term shall commence August 1 of the year issued and such
license shall be valid until July 31 of the second year, at which
time it shall expire and a new license shall occur. Said license shall
only be issued upon inspection of the property and finding that: a)
the visible parts of the property, buildings and structures that are
to be covered by the license have been inspected by the Code Enforcement
Officer or designee and that no visible violations of the building
or property maintenance codes exist, and b) the housing use proposed
by the owner is a valid conforming use in the zone as determined by
the Code Enforcement Officer or designee. A separate license shall
be required for each and every individual housing unit existing on
a property.
C.
The license shall state: a) the permitted use and/or tenancy; b) the occupancy limitations stipulated in § 218-12; c) compliance with fire protection systems; d) compliance with carbon monoxide detection systems; and e) the names of the owner, lessor, lessee and/or tenant. Any use of the property in question or occupancy limitation violations taking place on the property not specifically authorized by the license shall be deemed a violation of this section and shall be subject to an immediate summons.
A.
Each housing unit shall be inspected at least: a)
upon the initial registration of a housing unit; b) upon a change
of occupancy; c) when deemed necessary by the municipal Code Enforcement
Office; and d) as otherwise necessitated by safety considerations,
alleged violations and as otherwise required by this chapter. The
initial inspection shall occur prior to occupancy in which a license
is sought pursuant to this chapter.
B.
Such inspection shall be for the purpose of determining
Zoning Ordinance compliance and, to the extent applicable, to determine
if the property complies with the New Jersey State Housing Code and/or
municipal building code and/or Uniform Fire Safety Code and/or the
Property Maintenance Code.
C.
In the event that the inspection of a housing unit
does not result in a satisfactory determination, such property shall
not thereafter be registered nor shall a license be issued, and the
owner of the property or his agent shall not lease or rent such property,
nor shall any tenant occupy the property, until the necessary corrections
have been made so as to bring the property and housing unit into compliance
with the applicable codes and the property is thereafter subsequently
registered and licensed. In the event that the property is occupied
when such conditions are discovered, all such corrections shall be
made within 30 days unless safety considerations, as determined by
the Code Enforcement Officer or designee, require immediate correction.
If not made within that time period, the owner shall be deemed in
violation of this chapter, and every day that the violation continues
shall constitute a separate offense.
D.
No property shall be licensed unless the owner thereof
produces, at the time of registration, a current, valid certificate
of inspection indicating that the property has been inspected by the
officials of the Town of Boonton having jurisdiction and that the
property does not contain any code violations.
No person shall hereafter occupy any housing
unit nor shall the owner permit occupancy of any housing unit within
the Town of Boonton which is not registered and licensed in accordance
with this chapter.
Upon the filing of a completed registration
form, the provision of a satisfactory and current certificate of inspection,
and payment of the prescribed fee, the owner shall be entitled to
the issuance of a license for the term commencing August 1 of the
respective year in which said application was filed. A separate registration
form shall be required for each housing unit and a license shall be
issued to the owner for each housing unit, notwithstanding the existence
of multi-housing units on the same property. Each renewal for licensure
shall be made and filed prior to the expiration of the housing license
which occurs every two years on July 31.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. I)]
A.
For any
building that has three or more housing units that is inspected by
the State of New Jersey.
B.
At the time
of filing the housing registration form and prior to the issuance
of the license, the owner or agent of the owner must pay a fee per
housing unit. Owner-occupied housing units are exempt from the fee.
C.
The above
fee includes the cost of the initial inspection. Additional inspections,
whether due to a change of tenants, noncompliance or inability to
gain access for a scheduled reinspection, will require the payment
of a fee per reinspection visit. The cost for all inspections related
to the issuance of a license shall be paid in full no less than 24
hours prior to the scheduled reinspection.
D.
If any
fee is not paid within 30 days of its due date, a late fee charged
at the prevailing rate as set forth in the applicable resolution of
the Board of Aldermen will be assessed.
Without in any way intending to infringe upon
the requirements of N.J.S.A. 46:8-28, all housing units shall be registered
and licensed as provided herein. Every owner shall file with the Code
Enforcement Officer or designee a registration form for each housing
unit contained within a building or structure which shall include
the following information:
A.
The name, address and telephone number of the owner
or owners of the premises and the record owner or owners of the housing
unit, if not the same persons, shall be provided. In the case of a
partnership, the names and addresses of all general partners shall
be provided, together with the telephone numbers for each individual
partner, indicating where such individual may be reached both during
the day and evening hours, which telephone numbers shall include cell
phone numbers. If the record owner is a corporation, the name and
address of the registered agent and corporate officers of said corporation
shall be provided, together with the telephone number for each such
individual indicating where such individual may be reached both during
the day and evening hours, which shall include providing the cell
phone numbers of each such individual. All registration addresses
shall be physical addresses; post office boxes alone are insufficient.
B.
If the address of the owner of record is not located
in the County of Morris, the name, address and telephone number of
a person who resides in the County of Morris who is authorized to
accept notices from a tenant and to issue receipts therefor and to
accept service of process on behalf of the owner of record.
C.
The name, address and telephone number of the managing
agent of the premises, if any.
D.
The name, address and telephone number of the superintendent,
janitor, custodian or other individual employed by the owner of record
or managing agent to provide regular maintenance service, if any.
E.
The name, address and telephone number of an individual
representative of the owner of record or managing agent who may be
reached or contacted any time in the event of an emergency affecting
the premises or any unit of dwelling space therein, including such
emergencies as the failure of any essential service or system, and
who has the authority to make emergency decisions concerning the building
and any repair thereto or expenditure in connection therewith.
F.
The name and address of every holder of a recorded
mortgage on the premises.
G.
If fuel oil is used to heat the building and the landlord
furnishes the heat in the building, the name and address of the fuel
oil dealer servicing the building and the grade of fuel oil used.
H.
As to each housing unit, a specification of the exact
number of sleeping rooms contained in the housing unit and the exact
number of sleeping accommodations contained in each of the sleeping
rooms, identifying each sleeping room specifically by number and location
within the apartment or dwelling and by the square footage thereof.
In order to satisfy the requirements of this provision, an owner shall
submit a floor plan which shall become a part of the application and
which shall be attached to the registration form when filed by the
Building Code Official or designee.
I.
Name, address and telephone number of any and all
rental agencies with the authority to lease or otherwise permit occupancy
of the subject premises.
J.
Name, age, and address, including the housing unit
number, of each occupant or tenant occupying the housing unit.
K.
Whether or not the landlord has conducted a tenant
screening for each new tenant and authorized adult household member.
L.
Such other information as may be prescribed by the
Town on the appropriate form or otherwise by ordinance or resolution.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. I)]
The Code Enforcement Officer or designee shall index and file the registration form and make it reasonably available for public inspection. In doing so, the Code Enforcement Officer or designee shall follow the mandates of N.J.S.A. 46:8-28.1, as amended and supplemented, so that the filing of the registration form will simultaneously satisfy the registration requirements of N.J.S.A. 46:8-28 to the extent that it applies to the property being registered and will also satisfy the registration requirements of this chapter. The Code Enforcement Officer or designee shall maintain a master index of all such registration forms, and any person may obtain from the Code Enforcement Officer or designee a list of all housing units properly registered and licensed upon payment of a fee as indicated in Chapter 130, Fees, Article III, Fee Schedule.
Every person required to file a registration
form pursuant to this chapter shall file an amended registration form
within 20 days of any change in the information required to be included
thereon. No fee shall be required for the filing of an amendment with
the exception of a change in ownership of the premises.
Each licensee granted a license pursuant to
this chapter shall be permitted to lease or rent the housing unit
which has been registered and for which a license has been granted
hereunder to a specific number of registered tenants, which number
shall not exceed the number which has been computed in accordance
with the following:
A.
Every room occupied for sleeping purposes by one occupant
shall contain at least 70 square feet of floor area, and every room
occupied for sleeping purposes by more than one person shall contain
at least 50 square feet of floor area for each occupant thereof.
B.
Housing units shall not be occupied by more occupants
than permitted by the minimum occupancy area requirements set forth
below:
C.
Combined living-room and dining-room spaces shall comply with the requirements of Subsection B if the total is equal to that required for separate rooms and if the space is so located that it functions as a combination living room/dining room.
D.
Kitchens, nonhabitable spaces and interior public
areas shall not be used for sleeping purposes.
E.
All spaces to be used for food preparation shall contain
suitable space and equipment to store, prepare and serve foods in
a sanitary manner. There shall be adequate facilities and services
for the sanitary disposal of food wastes and refuse, including facilities
for temporary storage.
A.
It shall be unlawful and in violation of this chapter for an owner, permittee, lessor or registered tenant of any registered housing unit to allow a number of people greater than the maximum number of occupants permitted pursuant to § 218-12 to reside in the registered unit. It shall also be a violation of this chapter for the owner, permittee, lessor or registered tenant to lease a housing unit to a number or group of tenants which exceeds the total number of sleeping accommodations which has been set forth in the permit for which application was made under this chapter.
B.
The owner, permittee, lessor or registered tenant
of a housing unit must post the registration form in a conspicuous
location in the housing unit. Such form much contain the name(s) of
the owner, permittee, lessor and registered tenant, the maximum number
of tenants permitted to occupy the housing unit according to the permit,
and the maximum number of sleeping accommodations according to the
permit.
C.
It shall be unlawful and a violation of this chapter
for an owner, permittee, lessor or registered tenant to fail to post
the required registration form or for an owner, permittee, lessor
or registered tenant to remove the required registration form.
D.
The required registered property must be readily available
for inspection upon demand by police officers of the Town of Boonton
or officials of the Town of Boonton Code Enforcement Department. It
shall be unlawful and a violation of this chapter for an owner, permittee,
lessor or registered tenant to refuse to allow the inspection of said
register upon demand by an officer of the Boonton Police Department
or an official from the Boonton Code Enforcement Department.
E.
The police officers of the Town of Boonton or the
officials of the Boonton Code Enforcement Department are authorized
to issue a summons for a violation of this chapter to any owner, permittee,
lessor or registered tenant found to be in violation of any of the
provision of this chapter.
No housing unit may be registered and no license
shall be issued for any property containing a housing unit unless
all municipal taxes, water and sewer charges and other municipal assessments
are current.
It shall be unlawful for any person over the
age of 18 to assist, aid, abet, allow, permit, suffer or encourage
a student to register or enroll in the Boonton School District where
the student is ineligible to attend. It shall be unlawful for any
person over the age of 18 to knowingly permit his or her name, address,
or other residence-designating documentation to be utilized in the
registration or enrollment of any nonresident student in the Boonton
School District. In addition to the penalties set forth in this chapter,
any person violating or failing to comply with the provisions of this
section shall, upon conviction thereof, be sentenced to make restitution
to the Town of Boonton Board of Education. In determining the amount
of such restitution, the Court shall include the amounts incurred
by the Boonton Board of Education, including but not limited to tuition
costs, investigation expenses and attorneys' fees.
A.
The Code Enforcement Officer or designee is hereby
authorized to make inspections to determine the condition of non-owner-occupied
single-family rental units and housing units in order that they may
promote the purposes of this chapter to safeguard the health, safety,
welfare of the occupants of non-owner-occupied single-family rental
units and housing units. For the purposes of making such inspections,
the Code Enforcement Officer or designee is hereby authorized to enter,
examine, and survey non-owner-occupied single-family rental units
and housing units at all reasonable times. The owner or occupant of
every non-owner-occupied single-family rental unit and housing unit
shall give the Code Enforcement Officer or designee free access at
all reasonable times for the purpose of such inspections, examinations
and surveys.
B.
Every occupant shall give the owner of the non-owner-occupied
single-family rental unit and housing unit access to any part of such
non-owner-occupied single-family rental unit and housing unit 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 any lawful order issued pursuant thereto.
C.
Within 10 days of the receipt of the complaint alleging
a reported violation of this chapter, a Code Enforcement Officer or
designee shall conduct an inspection as hereinbefore provided.
A.
Only those occupants whose names are on file with
the Town of Boonton as provided in the chapter may reside in the licensed
premises. It shall be unlawful for any other person to reside in said
premises and this provision may be enforced against the landlord,
tenant, or other person residing in said premises.
B.
No housing units shall be conducted in a manner which
shall result in any unreasonable disturbance or disruption to the
surrounding properties and property owners or the public in general,
such that it shall constitute a nuisance as defined in the ordinances
of the Town of Boonton.
C.
The maintenance of all housing units and the conduct
engaged in upon the premises by occupants and their guests shall at
all times be in full compliance with all applicable ordinances and
regulations of the Town of Boonton, state and federal laws.
D.
Any landlord, tenant, or other person violating the
provisions of this section shall be subject to the penalty provisions
of this chapter.
A.
Grounds. In addition to any other penalty prescribed
herein, an owner may be subject to the revocation or suspension of
the housing license issued hereunder upon the occurrence of one or
more of the following:
(1)
Conviction of a violation of this chapter in the Municipal
Court or other court of competent jurisdiction.
(3)
Renting the housing unit or housing units to a tenant
or tenants convicted of a violation of the noise and/or other disorderly
persons ordinances of the Town of Boonton.
(4)
Permitting the housing unit to be occupied by more
than the maximum number of occupants as defined herein.
(5)
Maintaining the housing unit or housing units or the
property on which the housing unit is located in a dangerous condition
likely to result in injury to persons or property.
(6)
A housing unit license issued under this chapter shall
be suspended and considered revoked if taxes or other assessments
are delinquent for three consecutive quarters. Upon payment of such
delinquent taxes or assessments, the license or permit shall be restored,
upon new inspections for occupancy taking place.
B.
Procedure; written complaint; notice; hearing.
(1)
Whenever the Code Enforcement Officer or designee
determines that there has been a violation of this Code or has reasonable
grounds to believe that a violation has occurred, then the enforcing
agency shall issue and cause to be served upon the owner of the building,
structure or premises a written notice requiring the owner to terminate
or cause to be terminated the violations. The written notice shall
state the nature of the violations and a reasonable specified time
within which the violations shall be corrected. The written notice
shall also require the owner to take or cause to be taken any affirmative
action necessary to correct the violations. The written notice shall
also advise the owner or persons responsible that they have a right
to file an appeal with the Code Enforcement Officer of the Town of
Boonton.
(2)
Notwithstanding Subsection B(1), the Code Enforcement Officer or designee, on discovery of a violation of § 218-3, 218-12, or 218-15, may immediately issue a summons answerable in municipal court to any person, firm or corporation who shall violate any of the above-named sections. For each and every violation of the above-named sections, a separate summons may be issued. In addition, for each and every day that the violation continues, a separate summons may be issued.
(3)
Service shall be deemed to be properly served upon
such owner if a copy thereof is delivered to the owner personally;
or by leaving the notice at the usual place of abode or at the property
in the presence of someone in the family of suitable age and discretion
who shall be informed of the contents thereof; or by certified or
registered mail addressed to the owner at the last known address with
return receipt requested; or if the certified or registered letter
is returned with receipt showing that the letter has not been delivered,
by posting a copy thereof in a conspicuous place in or about the structure
affected by such notice.
(4)
Upon the expiration of the period set forth in any
notice for the correction of any violation, if the violation is not
corrected or in the opinion of the Code Enforcement Officer or designee,
corrected improperly, the Code Enforcement Officer or designee without
further notification shall have the right to issue a summons for the
violation seeking relief, including, but not limited to, the revocation
or suspension of a license and the payment of fines associated with
the violations. For each and every day that the violation continues,
a separate summons may be issued.
(5)
A complaint seeking the revocation or suspension of
a license may be filed by one or more of the following: the Mayor,
Business Administrator, Chief of Police, Construction Code Official
or Zoning Enforcement Officer. Such complaint shall be in writing
and filed with the Code Enforcement Officer or designee. The complaint
shall be specific and shall be sufficient to apprise the licensee
of the charges so as to allow the licensee the opportunity to present
a defense. The individuals filing the complaint may do so on the basis
of information and belief and need not rely on personal information.
(6)
Upon the filing of such written complaint, the Code
Enforcement Officer or designee shall immediately inform the Board
of Aldermen and a date for a hearing shall be scheduled which shall
not be sooner than 10 days nor more than 30 days thereafter. The Code
Enforcement Officer or designee shall forward a copy of the complaint
and a notice as to the date of the hearing to the licensee and the
managing agent, if any, at the address indicated on the housing registration
form. All such correspondence shall be sent by certified mail, return
receipt requested. Service upon the managing agent shall be sufficient.
(7)
The hearing required by this section shall be held
before the Board of Aldermen unless, in its discretion, the Board
determines that the matter should be heard by a hearing officer who
shall be appointed by the Board of Aldermen. If the matter is referred
to a hearing officer, such officer shall transmit his finding of fact
and conclusions of law to the Board of Aldermen within 10 days of
the conclusion of the hearing. The Board shall be bound thereby. In
the event that the matter is not referred to a hearing officer and
is heard by the Board, the Board shall render a decision within 10
days of the conclusion of the hearing. Following the hearing, a decision
shall be rendered dismissing the complaint, revoking or suspending
the housing unit license, or determining that the license shall not
be renewed or reissued for one or more subsequent housing unit license
terms.
(8)
A recording shall be made of the hearing. All witnesses
shall be sworn prior to testifying. The strict rules of evidence shall
not apply, and the evidential rules and burden of proof shall be that
which generally controls administrative hearings.
(9)
The Town Attorney or a special prosecutor appointed
by the Board of Aldermen shall appear and prosecute on behalf of the
complainant in all hearings conducted pursuant to this section.
C.
Defenses. It shall be a defense to any proceeding
for the revocation, suspension, or other disciplinary action involving
the housing unit license by a demonstration that the owner has abated
the conditions or circumstances giving to the revocation proceeding,
including, but not limited to, the institution of legal action against
the tenant(s), occupant(s) or guest(s) for the recovery of the premises,
eviction of the tenant(s) or otherwise. This defense shall in no way
be available if the owner has refused to submit proof of an adequate
tenant screening in accordance with this chapter.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. I)]
In addition to the penalties set forth in N.J.S.A. 46:8-35, any person who violates any chapter of this provision shall, upon conviction in the Municipal Court of the Town of Boonton or such other court having jurisdiction, be liable to the penalties provided in Chapter 1, General Provisions, Article III, General Penalty. Any person who is convicted of violating this chapter within one year of the date of the previous violation of this chapter and who was fined for same shall be sentenced by the court to an additional fine as a repeat offender and calculated separately from the fine imposed for the violation of the chapter.
Any of the violations referred to in this chapter
may be enforced, as applicable, by the Police Department, the Code
Enforcement Department or such other persons designated by the Administrator
or having such authority by law.
[Added 8-21-2017 by Ord.
No. 14-2017]
A refund of property taxes pursuant to N.J.S.A. 54:4-3.32 shall
be granted provided that the applicant submits a complete application
to the Tax Assessor as required by N.J.S.A. 54:4-3.30. The refund
of taxes may be granted retroactively only to the date that the complete
application was submitted to the Tax Assessor.
