Ordinance 2021-08 and 2021-09 Require Façade Inspections and Routine Structural Reports for Certain Buildings within the Borough of Cliffside Park

Structural Inspection Requirements (2021-09):

• Applies to all existing buildings or buildings constructed of steel, stick, brick, stucco or fabricated panel facades, concrete buildings more than four (4) stories in height or buildings consisting of twelve (12) residential units.
• A visual structural inspection shall be conducted every ten (10) years by a licensed engineer or architect.
• Inspection shall include, but not be limited to, inspection of foundations, balconies, all structural members, and waterproofing.
• Initial inspections shall be completed by December 31, 2022, thereafter, a structural inspection must be conducted every ten (10) years.
• Structural inspection shall include a complete review of the most recently prepared report.
• Shall be conducted in accordance with applicable engineering forms prepared by the Borough Engineer that shall be accessible through the Building Department.
• The property owner shall be responsible for the cost of the inspection, any necessary repairs or additional inspections.

Reporting Requirements: Structural inspections must be December 31 of each year in which an inspection is mandated. Within thirty (30) days of the inspection, Property Owners, must submit a written Structural Inspection Report. Report shall consist of:

1. Certification of the results of the inspection;
2. Condition of the buildings structure in a clear document, photographs, respective conditions as safe or unsafe;
3. Repair and maintenance recommendations if applicable, timeline for repairs, which repairs, etc.

Repairs: For any structural repairs needed that the inspection indicates, the Property Owners shall be responsible for such repairs and immediately undertake such measures to secure public safety.

Completion of Repairs:

1. Once repairs are completed, the licensed engineer or architect will inspect the building, file, under seal, an amended Structural Inspection Report prepared by that licensed professional, setting forth conditions of the building with the Building Department within thirty (30) days of repairs being completed.
2. If repairs are not made within the timeline, the Construction Code Official and/or Borough Engineer shall have the power to "Redtag" the building. This includes evacuation of any residents who reside in that unsafe building.
3. The structural inspection and subsequent inspection shall be applicable with the guidelines promulgated by the Borough's Engineer.
4. If the Construction Code Official orders all/any residents to evacuate, the property owner, condominium, or cooperative association shall be fully responsible for all relocation costs. (Temporary housing not to exceed one hundred (120) days. If proceeds the 120 days, will be reviewed and develop a reasonable housing alternative. Payment of the relocation shall be within ten (10) business days of receipt of the invoice.

Report Filing Fees: $500.00 fee for the filing and review of each Structural Inspection Report and $500 for Each Amended Structural Report. Site Inspections; $100 for the Construction Code Official and $150 for the Borough Engineer. Subsequent Site Inspections for a Construction Code Official is $100 and Borough Engineer is $150.

For Penalties/Fines, see set forth in § 22-8(H).

Façade Inspection Requirements (2021-08):

• Apply to all existing buildings or buildings construction, which: (1) or more than three (3) stories in height, and/or two (2) consist of masonry, structural steel, stucco or planking, and/or brick attached dwellings in excess of twenty (20) feet.
• A visual façade inspection shall be conducted every five (5) years with the initial inspection completed by December 31, 2022. Thereafter; a façade inspection must be conducted every five (5) years.
• This inspection includes a complete review of most recent engineering report including façade, which may be constructed in planking, brick or any other construction material.
• Shall be conducted in accordance with applicable rules promulgated by the Borough Engineer.
• The property owner shall be responsible for cost of inspection, any necessary repairs or additional inspections.

Reporting: Must be completed by December 31 of each year in which the inspection is mandated. Within thirty (30) days of the inspection, Property Owners must submit a written Façade Inspection Report. Report shall consist of:

1. Certification of the results of the inspection;
2. Condition of the buildings façade in a clear document, photographs, respective conditions as safe or unsafe;
3. Repair and maintenance recommendations if applicable, timeline for repairs, which repairs, etc.

Repairs: For any façade repairs needed that the inspection indicates, the Property Owners shall be responsible for such repairs and immediately undertake such measures to secure public safety.

Completion of Repairs:

1. Once repairs are completed, the licensed engineer or architect will inspect the building, file, under seal, an amended Façade Inspection Report prepared by that licensed professional, setting forth conditions of the building with the Building Department within thirty (30) days of repairs being completed.
2. If repairs are not made within the timeline, the Construction Code Official and/or Borough Engineer shall have the power to "Redtag" the building. This includes evacuation of any residents who reside in that unsafe building.
3. The façade inspection and subsequent inspection shall be applicable with the guidelines promulgated by the Borough's Engineer.
4. If the Construction Code Official orders all/any residents to evacuate, the property owner, condominium, or cooperative association shall be fully responsible for all relocation costs. (Temporary housing not to exceed one hundred (120) days. If proceeds the 120 days, will be reviewed and develop a reasonable housing alternative. Payment of the relocation shall be within ten (10) business days of receipt of the invoice.

Report Filing Fees: $500.00 fee for the filing and review of each Façade Inspection Report and $500 for Each Amended Façade Report. Site Inspections; $100 for the Construction Code Official and $150 for the Borough Engineer. Subsequent Site Inspections for a Construction Code Official is $100 and Borough Engineer is $150.

For Penalties, see set forth in § 22-8(I).