(A) All violations and penalties pertaining to the Uniform Fire Code shall be written, cited, and collected pursuant to N.J.A.C. 5:70-2.12 and N.J.A.C. 5:70-2.12A. No penalty shall be imposed except upon issuance of a written order requiring abatement and the allowance of a reasonable specified period in which to comply, unless a clear and evident notice of violation exist. Any person, agent, firm or corporation who shall violate any provisions of this subchapter or the Uniform Fire Code shall be subject to penalties. A separate offense may be deemed committed on each day during or on which a violation occurs or continues.
(1) The minimum penalties shall be as follows:
(a) First offense - $100 per violation and a dedicated penalty of equal amount per violation.
(b) Second offense - $250 per violation.
(c) Third offense - $500 per violation.
(2) Nothing above shall in any way restrict the Fire Official from assessing higher penalties based on the severity or reoccurrence of any violation covered by this code.
(B) All other violations and fines pertaining to the Township Fire Prevention Ordinance, this Chapter 94, shall be written as a summons of civil action by a summary proceeding under the Penalty Enforcement Law N.J.S.A. 2A:58-1 et seq. in the Township Municipal Court. Unless otherwise specifically stated in this chapter the following penalties and/or fines apply to any person who violates any provision of this chapter shall, upon conviction thereof, be subject to any combination of the following:
(1) A fine of not less than $100 nor more than $1,000.
(2) A term of imprisonment not exceeding 90 days.
(3) A period of community service not exceeding 90 days.
(C) Obstruction of duties. Any person, agent, firm or corporation that obstructs or hinders or causes to obstruct or hinder the Fire Official or his/her designee in the performance of their duties, shall be deemed to have caused a clear and evident notice of violation and may be, at the discretion of the Fire Official, immediately penalized and/or fined a maximum of $5,000 per occurrence.
(Ord. 312-17, passed 12-27-17)