§ 175-45. Certificate of subdivision approval.

   A.   Issuance. (See 40:55D-56.)

      (1)   A prospective purchaser, prospective mortgagee or any other person interested in any land which either forms part of a subdivision or formed part of such a subdivision as of August 1, 1973, may apply in writing to the Secretary of the approving Board for the issuance of a certificate certifying whether such subdivision has been approved by the Board. Such application shall contain a diagram showing the location and dimensions of the land to be covered by the certificate and the name of the owner thereof.

      (2)   The Board Secretary shall make and issue such certificate within 15 days after the receipt of such written application and the fees therefor. Said Secretary shall keep a duplicate copy of each certificate, consecutively numbered, including a statement of the fee charged, in a binder as a permanent record of his office.

      (3)   Each such certificate shall be designated a "certificate as to approval of subdivision of land" and shall certify:

         (a)   Whether there exists in the town a duly established Planning Board.

         (b)   Whether there is an ordinance controlling subdivision of land adopted under the authority of the Municipal Land Use Act (N.J.S.A. 40:55D-1 et seq.).

         (c)   Whether the subdivision, as it relates to the land shown in the application, has been approved by the Board and, if so, the date of such approval.

         (d)   Any extension and the terms of any extensions showing that the subdivision of which these lands are a part is a validly existing subdivision.

         (e)   Whether such subdivision, if the same has not been approved, is statutorily exempt from the requirement of approval as provided in this chapter.

   B.   Rights conferred by certificate.

      (1)   Any person who shall acquire for a valuable consideration an interest in lands covered by a certificate as to approval of subdivision of land and who shall rely upon the information therein contained shall hold such interest free of any right, remedy or action which could be prosecuted or maintained by the town pursuant to the provisions of Article XIV. (See N.J.S.A. 40:55D-55.)

      (2)   If the Board Secretary designated to issue any such certificate fails to issue the same within 15 days after receipt of an application and fees therefor, any person acquiring an interest in the lands described in such application shall hold such interest free of any right, remedy or action which could be prosecuted or maintained by the town pursuant to Article XIV. (See N.J.S.A. 40:55D-55.)

      (3)   Any application for a certificate of subdivision approval addressed to the Clerk of the town shall be deemed to be addressed to the proper designated officer, and the town shall be bound thereby to the same extent as though the same was addressed to the designated official.