Housing Code Enforcement

FAX: (856) 453-7244

The Housing & Inspections Department is responsible for enforcing the City of Bridgeton Property Maintenance Code (Municipal Ordinance 94-19) on all residential properties. In addition, the Department of Housing & Inspections must conduct an inspection on any rental property whenever there is a change in the tenant (Municipal Ordinance 94-22) or when a property is sold, whether rental or owner-occupied.

Rental Properties

• All rental properties must be registered with the Department of Housing & Inspections. The owner of the rental property, upon registering the property, will pay a $75 rental registration fee and will receive a Certificate of Registration. This is a per unit fee. The deadline for paying the $75 annual fee is May 30th of each year. There is an addition $50 fee for any late payment.
   

• Any dwelling that becomes a new rental, having never been a rental property, or has not functioned as a rental for 180 days or more, must receive approval from the Housing Code Enforcement office. Approval will be dependant upon actual square footage of the unit and the ability to provide suitable off-street parking.
   

• All rental units must be inspected by the Department of Housing & Inspections each and every time there is a change in tenancy. Upon inspection, the owner of the property, when necessary will receive a Notice of Violation listing any repairs or corrections necessary and a time frame in which to remediate the problems. Upon final approval, a Certificate of Occupancy will be issued for that tenant and that particular unit.
   

Please call 455-3230 ext. 219 or 220 to schedule an inspection, or to inquire about any additional housing related information. Allow a minimum of 72 hours from the time of the initial request for inspections to be completed. For rental unit inspections, you must provide a tenant name as this will be listed on the permit.

Rental Property General Requirements

(list not inclusive)

1. Overcrowding: Most standard or average size bedrooms can accommodate 2 people. Most occupancies allow for 2 people per bedroom, which will determine the number of people allowed to live in a unit. Sleeping in the attic, basement or living room is not permissible in a rental unit. There must be adequate square footage for kitchens, bathrooms, living rooms and other common areas.

2. Smoke Detectors: Smoke detectors are required on every level of a structure including the basement, 1st floor, 2nd floor, attic, etc. Smoke detectors must be located within 10 feet of all bedroom doorways.

3. Carbon Monoxide Detectors: Carbon Monoxide Detectors will be required next to some detectors in the basement and next to smoke detectors on floors with sleeping rooms.

4. General Conditions:

   • All windows must be operational with window glass intact and window hardware present.

   • All floors and stairs must be stable and capable of supporting weight loads imposed.

   • Carpeting, tile, or floorboards are to be fully intact and present no trip hazard.

   • Walls and ceilings are to be clean with no chipping or peeling paint, including door and window frames.

   • Door locks cannot be of the type that require a key to open from the inside.

   • All ground floor windows and upper level windows that can be accessed from a porch, roof, etc., must have window locks.

   • There shall be no leaking of any plumbing in kitchens and bathrooms.

   • All kitchens and bathrooms shall have no less than a 3-prong grounded type outlet - GFI preferable.

   • All outlets and switches shall be intact and fully operational.

   • All units shall be clean and sanitary. Landlords shall provide an initial extermination treatment to the unit prior to occupancy.

©2006 City of Bridgeton. All rights reserved.