TOWNSHIP OF ROCHELLE PARK BERGEN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY ORDINANCE #1245-25

TOWNSHIP OF ROCHELLE PARK BERGEN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY ORDINANCE #1245-25 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 102 ENTITLED "FIRE PREVENTION" OF THE TOWNSHIP CODE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF ROCHELLE PARK, STATE OF NEW JERSEY BE IT ORDAINED BY THE TOWNSHIP COUNCIL OF THE TOWNSHIP OF ROCHELLE PARK IN THE COUNTY OF BERGEN AND STATE OF NEW JERSEY, AS FOLLOWS: WHEREAS, Chapter 102 of the Code of the Township of Rochelle Park sets forth all regulations regarding Fire Prevention in the Township of Rochelle Park; and, BE IT ORDAINED, by the Mayor and Council of the Township of Rochelle Park, County of Bergen and State of New Jersey that those portions of the aforesaid set forth below are hereby amended as follows and that those portions of the Ordinance not set forth below shall remain unchanged. Section 102-3. Duties. The Local Enforcing Agency shall enforce the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code as defined in the Uniform Fire Safety Act, and the codes and regulations adopted under it in all buildings, structures, premises and places within the established boundaries of Rochelle Park, other than owner occupied one- and two-family dwellings, buildings owned or operated by the Federal government, the State and interstate agencies. The Local Enforcing Agency shall faithfully comply with the requirements of the Uniform Fire Safety Act and the Uniform Fire Code. Section 102-5. Organization. The Bureau of Fire Code Enforcement established pursuant to Sec. 102-2 shall be a part of the Rochelle Park Fire Department. The Local Enforcing Agency (LEA) shall be under the direct supervision and control of the Bureau Chief who shall report to the Township Administrator. Section 102-6. Appointments; terms of office; removal; identification. D. Removal from office. The inspectors and other employees of the enforcing agency shall be subject to removal by the Bureau Chief for inefficiency or misconduct. The inspector or employee to be removed shall be afforded an opportunity to be heard by the appointing authority or by a designated hearing officer. The Bureau Chief may be removed, with or without cause, by the Township Committee. In the event of the Bureau Chief's absence, an Inspector holding a valid "Fire Official" license issued by the Department of Community Affairs, will be designated the "Acting Fire Official" for the duration of the absence. Section 102-9. Additional required inspections and fees. A. Inspection and fees. In addition to the inspections and fees required pursuant to the Act and the regulations of the Department of Community Affairs, the following additional fees shall be required. To provide a fire inspection service for all places described herein located within the Township of Rochelle Park not classified as life hazard, the following annual fees are required (all calculations of gross area shall be rounded to the nearest square foot). These uses shall be inspected in a period not less than once every three years. Type Fee RP-1.Any person, firm, corporation, building owner, business $100 Owner, occupant, tenant, vendor or any other business use Up to 1,499 square feet in gross area. RP-2. Any person, firm, corporation, building owner, business $130 Owner, occupant, tenant, vendor or any other business use Up to 3,499 square feet in gross area. RP-3. Any person, firm, corporation, building owner, business $150 Owner, occupant, tenant, vendor or any other business use Up to 6,999 square feet in gross area. RP-4. Any person, firm, corporation, building owner, business $170 Owner, occupant, tenant, vendor or any other business use Up to 9,999 square feet in gross area. RP-5. Any person, firm, corporation, building owner, business $190 Owner, occupant, tenant, vendor or any other business use Up to 11,999 square feet in gross area. RP-6. Any person, firm, corporation, building owner, business $210 Owner, occupant, tenant, vendor or any other business use Up to 14,999 square feet in gross area. RP-7. Any person, firm, corporation, building owner, business $230 Owner, occupant, tenant, vendor or any other business use Up to 17,999 square feet in gross area. RP-8. Any person, firm, corporation, building owner, business $330 Owner, occupant, tenant, vendor or any other business use Up to 18,000 square feet in gross area. B. Occupied residential homes, apartment buildings and condo complex structures. Type Fee RP-9. Up to 2 units $100 per year RP-10. 3 to 5 units $130 per year RP-11. 6 to 10 units $150 per year RP-12. 11 to 20 units $215 per year RP-13. Any nonowner occupied home and garden $230 per year Apartment comprised of 21 to 39 units RP-14. 40 or more units $330 per year C. Certificate of smoke detector, carbon monoxide alarm and fire extinguisher compliance certification. (3). All premises that require a re-inspection; the fee for such inspection shall be equal to the initial fee paid. D. Delinquent Fees. Any non-life hazard fee that remains unpaid beyond the due date provided on the annual invoice shall be considered delinquent. E. Collection by Court Summons. Upon determination that a non-life hazard fuse fee is delinquent, the Bureau Chief is authorized to initiate enforcement proceedings through the Rochelle Park Municipal Court. A court summons may be issued to the responsible party for failure to pay such fee. The Court may assess the unpaid fee, along with any applicable court costs, fines and penalties as permitted by law, and may enter a judgment against the responsible party. F. Notification. Prior to the issuance of a court summons, the party responsible shall be provided with written notice of the delinquency and afforded no fewer than fifteen (15) calendar days to remit payment in full or to contest the charge in writing to the Bureau Chief. G. Alternative Remedies. The enforcement of non-life hazard use fees by court summons shall not preclude the Township from pursuing any other remedy available under law for the collection of such fees, including but not limited to liens, civil actions or administrative remedies. Severability. All provisions of this Ordinance are severable. If for any reason, any provision of this Ordinance is held to be invalid, the validity of the remainder of the Ordinance shall not be affected. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall become effective upon final approval and publication, pursuant to law, and upon completion of all outstanding cases. NOTICE OF INTRODUCTION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Ordinance #1245-25, was introduced and passed on first reading at a meeting of the Township Committee of Rochelle Park, held on August 27, 2025 and ordered published in accordance with the law. Said Ordinance will be considered for final reading and adoption at a meeting held on September 10, 2025 at 7:00 PM, in the Township of Rochelle Park Municipal Building, at which time all persons interested will be given an opportunity to be heard concerning such Ordinance. By order of the Mayor and Township Committee Gina S. Kim, RMC/CMC Township Clerk August 31 2025 LNYS0361674 $146.96