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 Inspection & Code Enforcement         Building Division
 

PROPERTY MAINTENANCE & REVITALIZATION

Telephone: 973-266-5320
Fax: 973-673-4192 

Obed Prinvil, Director

The East Orange Department of Property Maintenance and Revitalization is the enforcement arm of the City with regard to Housing Standards, Construction Code, and such other matters relating to Rent Control and Relocation.  This department has three divisions: an Office of the Director, a Division of Inspections and Code Enforcement, and a Building Division.  The Department is administered by a Director and an Assistant-Director, both of whom are City Officials appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council.

OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR
The Office of the Director administers, supervises and directs the personnel and work of the Department.  The Office of the Director is also responsible for the administration of the provisions of Chapter 218 of the East Orange City Code dealing with Rent Control as well as the provisions of the Relocation Assistance Law and Act and the related Statutes and Regulations.                                                       

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DIVISION OF INSPECTION & CODE ENFORCEMENT
The Division of Inspections and Code Enforcement is responsible for the administration of Chapters 113 and 159 of the Code of the City of East Orange that establish minimum standards governing the maintenance, appearance, conditions and occupancy of residential and non-residential premises, and that provides for the repairs, demolition or vacation of premises unfit for human habitation or occupancy or use. This Division is also responsible for the enforcement of federal and state codes as pertaining to housing standards.

The Division of Inspections and Code Enforcement is supervised by a Division Manager who is a city officer appointed and confirmed in the same manner as the Director.

The means available to the Division of Inspections and Code Enforcement include the following:

  1. A requirement to apply for and to obtain a Certificate of Conformity before any changes in  ownership of any building or premises to indicate that said building or premises complies with and conforms to the Provisions of the City Housing Code and is fit for human habitation.  Fees for inspections for Certificate of Conformity vary according to size and use of the building or  premises.
     

  2. A requirement to apply for and to obtain a Certificate of Habitability before any change in tenancy of any premises, apartment or dwelling unit to indicate that said premises, apartment or dwelling unit complies with and conforms to the Provisions of the City Housing Code and is fit for human habitation  The fee for inspections for Certificate of Habitability is fifty five dollars ($55.00) per dwelling unit.
     

  3. At any other times that a violation of the City Housing Code is thought to exist, a Complaint may be filed with the Division.  Upon confirmation by a Field Representative, the Director or his assignee, acting as Public Officer, is empowered to serve upon the person responsible an Order compelling such person to correct or abate the existing violation.  There is no fee inspections initiated by Complaint.
     

  4. The Division operates an overnight Hot Line to receive emergency complaints from tenants or occupants of premises, apartments or dwelling units within the City of East Orange.
     

  5. Violations of the City Housing Code are punishable by fines or imprisonment or both.                                 

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BUILDING DIVISION
The Building Division is responsible for the administration and supervision of the Building Code and approval of all applications for construction, alterations and renovations of buildings within the city; and for the enforcement of Chapter 268, Zoning, of the Code of the City of East Orange and compliance therewith.  The building Division is designated as a State Uniform Construction Code Enforcement Agency.  The Building Division is supervised by a Division Manager who shall be a licensed Construction Official and a City employee in the classified civil service.

The means available to the Building Division in the Enforcement of the New Jersey Construction Code include the following:
 

  1. A requirement to apply for and to obtain a written Permit to erect, construct or alter any building or structure or parts thereof designed for human occupancy.
     
  2. A requirement to apply for and to obtain a Certificate of Occupancy (CO) after the completion of any new construction to indicate that the said building or structure has been constructed in accordance with the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code and is approved for occupancy.
     
  3. A requirement to apply for and to obtain Certificate of Continued Occupancy (CCO) after major renovations to any building or structure to indicate that there are no imminent hazards and that the said building or structure is approved for continued occupancy.
     
  4. The Construction Official is authorized and empowered to condemn and building or structure when appropriate and to order and require the occupants of such building or structure or part thereof to vacate the same forthwith.
     
  5. Violations of the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code are punishable by fines or imprisonment or both.                                   

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