Housing Department
Building Department Office Hours:
Heidy Amaral
| Mondays | Tuesdays | Wednesdays | Thursdays | Fridays |
| 9:30AM - 1:00PM | 8:30AM - 1:00PM | 8:30AM - 1:00PM | 9:30AM - 1:00PM | 8:30AM - 1:00PM |
| 2:30PM - 4:00PM | 2:30PM - 4:30PM | 3:30PM - 4:30PM | 2:30PM - 4:30PM | 3:30PM - 4:30PM |
Certificate of Occupancy Inspections:
Heidy Amaral
| Mondays | Tuesdays | Wednesdays | Thursdays | Fridays |
| 1:30PM - 2:30PM | 2:00PM - 2:30PM | No Inspections | 2:00PM - 2:30PM | 1:30PM - 2:30PM |
Construction, Electrical/Fire Subcode Inspections:
James Booth
| Mondays | Tuesdays | Wednesdays | Thursdays | Fridays |
| No Inspections | 4:30PM - 6:00PM | No Inspections | 4:30PM - 6:00PM | No Inspections |
Plumbing Subcode Inspections:
Ron Barbarullo
| Mondays | Tuesdays | Wednesdays | Thursdays | Fridays |
| No Inspections | 12:00PM - 1:00PM | No Inspections | No Inspections | No Inspections |
Housing Official
Heidy Amaral
amaralh@prospectpark.net
(973) 790-7902 ext. 524
The Housing Department, located on the second floor of the Municipal Building, provides a wide range of services. These services include: housing and property maintenance code enforcement for both residential and commercial properties, investigation of illegal housing, zoning code enforcement, certificate of occupancy; commercial and residential.
A Certificate of Occupancy (CO) is required for every change of tenant. The Landlord is responsible to obtain the CO for all new tenants. The fee is $50.00 and smoke detectors and carbon monoxide are required. Smoke detectors work best one in every bedroom. Carbon monoxide one per floor.
A Certificate of Compliance is required when a house or business is about to be sold. We inspect for working smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. Smoke detectors work best one in every bedroom. Carbon monoxide is required one per floor.
The cost for a Certificate of Compliance inspection is as follows:
- 1 Family House: $ 75.00
- 2 Family House: $ 150.00
- 3 Family House: $ 225.00
- Commercial: $ 100.00
Cash, checks or money orders are the accepted payment options.
Landlord and Tenant Basics
Tenants are required to follow all ordinances regarding garbage pick-up, recycling rules, respecting property, and pick up after pets. Tenants must inform the owner in writing when repairs are needed. If no corrections are made, then contact this office for a follow up.
Landlords are required to obtain a CO and provide a clean, safe residence. Plumbing, walls, ceiling, side walk and stairs must be in good repair.
Landlords that are not on the premises must provide for a janitor or caretaker who will maintain the yard, sidewalk, alley and other exterior surfaces clean and free of any accumulation of material. Absentee Landlords must register each year and provide updated current caretaker information and verify tenant info. Registration is $100.00 yearly.
The Prospect Park Housing Department enforces code sets standards for property maintenance and occupancy. Typical code violations include peeling paint, overcrowding, sleeping in basements, abandoned cars, pooper-scooper violations, or any other property maintenance issues that would constitute a blighting effect upon neighboring properties.
Zoning Code Violations are enforced by the Housing Department include (but not limited to):
- Illegal signs
- Fences
- Illegal basement and attic apartments
- Businesses operating out of residence.
Definitions
Habitable Room – A room or enclosed floor space used or intended to be used for living, sleeping, cooking or eating purposes, excluding bathrooms, water closet compartments, laundries, pantries, foyers or communicating corridors, closets and storage spaces.
Illegal Dwelling Units are rooms created without Building Permits in attics and basements that are being rented without a Certificate of Occupancy. Illegal Dwelling Units are a strain on Borough resources, increase school taxes, put individuals in extreme risk of fire due to overcrowding. Violations carry stiff fines.
ALL CALLS AND TIPS REGARDING ILLEGAL DWELLING UNITS ARE HELD IN STRICT CONFIDENCE
