Cherry Hill, NJ Code Violation Reporting: How to Report (2026)
Key Facts
- Petition threshold
- 5 residents or a public authority
- Who receives it
- Public Officer (Township Construction Official)
- Hearing window
- 7 to 30 days after service
- Cross-referral duty
- Public Officer routes to the right agency
- Appeal deadline
- 30 days for injunctive relief
Summary
Cherry Hill Township residents report unsafe or unfit buildings by petition to the Public Officer, who is the Township Construction Official, and any violation of another ordinance found during a property maintenance inspection is referred to the agency that enforces it.
Whenever a petition is filed with the Public Officer by a public authority or by at least five residents of the municipality charging that any building is unfit for human habitation or occupancy or use or whenever it appears to the Public Officer, on his or her own motion, that any such building is unfit for human habitation or occupancy or use, the Public Officer shall, if his or her preliminary investigation discloses a basis for such charges, issue and cause to be served upon the owner of and parties in interest in such building a complaint stating the charges in that respect and containing a notice that a hearing will be held before the Public Officer, or his or her designated agent, at a place therein fixed, not less than seven (7) days nor more than thirty (30) days after the serving of the complaint.
Full Breakdown
Section 15-56.3 sets out the citizen-triggered procedure for dangerous or unfit structures: "Whenever a petition is filed with the Public Officer by a public authority or by at least five residents of the municipality charging that any building is unfit for human habitation or occupancy or use... the Public Officer shall, if his or her preliminary investigation discloses a basis for such charges, issue and cause to be served upon the owner... a complaint," followed by a hearing set between 7 and 30 days after service.
The Public Officer, per § 15-56.2, is the Township's Construction Official. Separately, § 15-60.1 handles cross-referrals during code enforcement: "Any violation of any ordinance other than this Code discovered in the enforcement of this Code shall be reported to the Public Officer who shall refer the alleged violation to the official or agency responsible for the enforcement of such ordinances." Beyond the petition route, day-to-day property maintenance complaints go to the Property Maintenance Inspector, who under § 15-3.1 enforces Chapter 15 and consults the Building Code Official, Zoning Officer, Township Engineer, Animal Control Official or County Health Official as needed, and who has right-of-entry to inspect under § 15-3.4 after presenting identification and requesting access.
Violations & Fines
If the Public Officer's investigation under § 15-56.3 confirms a building is unfit, an Order is issued requiring repair, alteration or vacating within a set time; failure to comply lets the Public Officer repair, close, or under § 15-56.5, demolish the structure, with all costs becoming a municipal lien against the property under § 15-56.6. A property owner aggrieved by an Order has 30 days under § 15-56.8 to seek injunctive relief in court.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I report an unsafe building in Cherry Hill Township?
What happens after I file a complaint about a dangerous structure?
Who handles a report about a violation outside the property maintenance code?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cherry Hill
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