Perth Amboy, NJ Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)

Chapter 175, Buildings, Unsafe, was adopted 5-21-1991 as Ord. No. 547-91 to protect public health, safety and welfare. Under § 175-1(B), any vacant building or structure, whether used for human habitation or otherwise, that is unfit for occupancy or use can be repaired or demolished as the chapter provides. Section 175-3 designates the Director of Code Enforcement as the public officer for the City of Perth Amboy, Middlesex County.

Section 175-2 defines the triggers. An unsafe structure is dangerous to life, health, property or safety, lacks minimum safeguards to protect or warn occupants in the event of fire, contains unsafe equipment, or is so damaged, decayed, dilapidated or unstable that partial or complete collapse is likely. A structure is unfit for human habitation when the public officer finds it unsafe, unlawful, unsanitary, vermin- or rat-infested, or lacking ventilation, illumination, sanitary or heating facilities required by Chapter 335, Property Maintenance.

Process under § 175-4: a petition from a public authority or at least five residents, or the officer's own motion, starts the case. If the building is an immediate hazard, the officer orders it vacated and secured after an on-site hearing. Otherwise the owner and parties in interest are served with a complaint and a hearing notice, with the hearing held not less than seven days nor more than thirty days after service. The owner can file an answer and testify. If the owner cannot be located within three days of the end of the investigation, the officer obtains quotes and can contract the repairs.

Section 175-5 requires written findings and an order to repair within a reasonable time, to vacate and close, or to remove or demolish if the building is dangerous. Under § 175-6 the officer can post a placard reading that the building is unfit and that its use or occupation is prohibited and unlawful.

Section 175-7 makes costs a municipal lien against the property, credits any sale proceeds of salvaged materials, and gives the owner thirty days from the filing of the lien certificate to contest the amount in Superior Court. Section 175-8 allows summary proceedings for demolition where threatened collapse poses an actual and immediate danger to life.