Edison, NJ Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)
Key Facts
- Trigger
- Building found unfit for habitation
- Owner options
- Repair, alter, or vacate building
- If dangerous & unrepaired
- Removal or demolition ordered
- Unpaid costs
- Become a lien on property
Summary
After finding a building unfit for habitation, Edison's public officer can order the owner to repair, alter, vacate, or demolish it within a set deadline.
If after such notice and hearing the public officer determines that the building under consideration is unfit for human habitation or occupancy or use, he or she shall state in writing his or her findings of fact... and shall issue and cause to be served upon the owner... an order requiring the repair, alteration or improvement of the building... within a reasonable time... or at the option of the owner to vacate or have the building vacated and closed within the time set forth in the order.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4904708; v19 updated 2026-03-25; through 03-25-2026).
Full Breakdown
Once a § 15-1.16 hearing establishes that a building is unfit for human habitation, occupancy, or use, § 15-1.17 lets the public officer issue written findings and serve the owner an order requiring repair, alteration, or improvement within a reasonable time, or, at the owner's option, vacating and closing the building by that deadline. If the building is dangerous to health or safety and the owner misses the repair deadline, the order instead requires removal or demolition within a reasonable time.
Violations & Fines
An owner who ignores a § 15-1.17 order can have the building vacated, closed, removed, or demolished by the Township, with the cost becoming a lien on the property under § 15-1.20.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can Edison order for an unfit building?
What if the owner does nothing?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Edison
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