Housing & Code Enforcement

Being a Good Neighbor

Neighborhoods and structures in the Borough of Westville require proper maintenance to stay in good condition as they age. Maintaining good neighborhoods requires the cooperation of individual property owners and tenants. The Borough of Westville Mayor and Council have adopted a standard Housing Code and other Ordinances, which create minimum standards for the betterment of our neighborhoods. These standards protect surrounding property owners and tenants from having their property values negatively affected by substandard conditions.

Property Maintenance

• Keep your buildings substantially free of dirt, stains, rust, mold, and mildew.
• Maintain brick, stone, stucco, spray spray-painted surfaces so as not to reflect inadequate maintenance or deterioration. Sidewalks, driveways, fences, railings, roofs, exterior walls, and roof must be kept in good condition.

Yard Maintenance

• Mow the lawn so that grass, weeds, or other vegetation is 6 inches or less in height on developed property. Mow to the edge of any paved roadway or street, including street curb line.
• Vehicles cannot be parked on front lawns.

Junk, Trash, Rubbish, and Abandoned Items

Discarded items that are allowed to accumulate, that are valueless, or have only nominal or salvage value and are abandoned or left unprotected from the elements on public or residential property are prohibited.

Recreational Equipment

Boats, trailers, motor homes, campers, etc., must be covered by an approved commercial vehicle cover and then may be parked or stored in a rear or side yard, but not in the front yard setback area.

Code Enforcement - Complaint Response

In many instances, Code Enforcement investigates a code violation and takes compliance action when a citizen reports a potential violation. If you think you know of a potential violation, you may report it in any of the following ways:

• Telephone: 856-456-0030, option 8
• email: sellis@westville-nj.com
• In person: Code Enforcement office, at the Borough of Westville Municipal Building, 165 Broadway

Thank you for doing your part—by following our Code Enforcement guidelines, we can keep Westville a beautiful place to live and raise a family.

HOUSING

Certificate of Inspection

A Rental Housing Certificate of Inspection is required for all rental dwelling units whenever there is a change of occupancy and prior to occupancy of the unit. Please note that change of occupancy also means when any person moves in with the tenants that are already occupying the unit. Once completed and the dwelling passes the inspection, you will receive a Certificate of Inspection. Please allow one week for scheduling purposes, please contact us at 856-456-0030, option 7 as soon as possible to schedule an inspection.

A Landlord Registration Form is required by N.J.S.A. 46:8-27 for all rental properties. Failure to register and obtain a Certificate of Inspection for rental properties leaves landlords “unprotected” by NJ Statutes concerning Landlord/Tenant Disputes and is in violation of the Borough’s requirements. Any disagreements involving unregistered or uninspected rental properties may pose a legal challenge and liability to property owners.

This checklist is provided as a courtesy and is not all-inclusive. There may be other items which may fail a unit inspection. For a complete list of inspection guidelines, please review the 2024 International Property Maintenance Code Book at https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/IPMC2024V1.0

TENANTS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO MOVE IN UNTIL APPROVAL IS GIVEN BY THE HOUSING INSPECTOR

Please note the following guidelines in order to streamline the inspection process:
1. The landlord is responsible to prepare the property for inspection. All utilities must be turned on.
2. The unit must be vacant, empty and clean for the inspection. It will not be inspected while the current tenant occupies it. Time must be allocated between tenants to have it prepared and pass inspection.
3. All rental units must pass the inspection prior to the tenant taking possession of the unit. “AS IS” lease clauses do not apply. An inspection can be done if there is no named tenant and is valid for 90 days.
4. In order to avoid a failed inspection as well as the re-inspection fee and the time delay, the checklist must be reviewed and followed to ensure that the unit complies with all of the items listed.
5. The Rental Housing Certificate of Inspection will be issued in the name of the tenant(s) and is valid for the time that the listed tenant occupies the unit. Each time the unit is vacated, the procedures for applying
and scheduling an inspection prior to the incoming tenant taking possession of the unit must be followed.

FIRE & CARBON MONOXIDE SAFETY–THESE GUIDELINES ARE NEW AND MUST BE FOLLOWED PRECISELY

Smoke Alarms (120V hard–wired or 10-year sealed alarms) must be less than 10 years old. Manufacture date is on the back of each alarm. Alarm locations that are 120V hard-wired must have hard wired alarms installed and cannot be replaced with 10-year sealed alarms. Smoke alarms must be installed at the following locations:
. On each story within the unit, including basements but not including crawlspaces and uninhabitable attics;
. Outside of any bedroom area within 10 feet of each bedroom;
. In each room that may be used for sleeping purposes

Carbon Monoxide Alarms (hard-wired or battery) must be less than 10 years old and installed according to the manufacturer, in working order located within 10 feet of each room that may be used for sleeping purposes.

A Fire Extinguisher is required in houses, condominiums and townhomes. It shall be 2A:10B:C, rated for residential use and readily accessible within 10 feet of the kitchen, mounted no higher than 5 feet above the floor.

Dwellings with low-voltage smoke alarm systems must have a letter at the time of inspection from the alarm company indicating that the system has been tested in the last 30 days and is currently monitored and functioning.

Fees

Landlord Registration Fee - $185 per unit (Units 1-7); $80 per unit (8 or more units)
Certificate of Inspection - $100 per unit
Reinspections - 1st - $50; 2nd - $60; 3rd - $75; 4th and subsequent - $100/per unit

Payment

• All checks can be made payable to "Borough of Westville".
• No Credit Cards Accepted in office. Online payments for landlord or inspections need Customer ID #s and a PIN which can be provided by the Housing office at 856-456-0030, option 5.
• Cash payments must be exact.
• If mailing in any payment, please send to attention of "Code Enforcement".
• If there is an invoice number, (which is located on top right corner in a box stating "invoice no."),please note the invoice number on the check.
• If payment is for a permit, please note address on the check.

Housing Inspections:
Tuesdays and Thursdays
9-12 or 1-3 (open window)
Call 856-456-0030, option 5 to schedule an appointment

When a property is sold, rented or a change of tenant occurs, the owner is required to complete a Certificate of Inspection application.   Property owners should schedule this inspection as far in advance as possible.   For additional information, please call 856-456-0030, option 8.

Forms:
Certificate of Inspection
Landlord Registration Form