Delran adopts ordinance tightening fire-safety fee enforcement

The Delran Township Council on Sept. 9 adopted Ordinance 2025-16, amending Chapter 150 and Chapter 162 of the township code to add explicit enforcement language for unpaid fire-inspection fees and penalties.

The ordinance adds a new subsection permitting recovery of unpaid fees through summary proceeding: "If any annual inspection fee or any penalty is not paid within thirty (30) days of its stated due date, the same may be recovered by, and in the name of the local enforcing agency, in a civil action by summary proceeding under the Penalty Enforcement Law, N.J.S.A. 2A:58-1 et seq., in the Delran Township Municipal Court." Mrs. Apeadu moved to adopt the ordinance on second reading; the roll call vote was unanimous (Ayes: Mr. Morrow, Mrs. Apeadu, Mr. Smith, Mr. Jeney, Mr. Lyon).

Township officials said the amendments follow an audit of the Delran Fire Prevention Bureau by New Jersey’s Division of Fire Safety and are intended to align local enforcement with state law and best practices. The ordinance declares that enforcement of the Uniform Fire Safety Act will apply to buildings and premises within Delran’s established boundaries, excluding owner-occupied one- and two-family dwellings and certain government-owned properties. The ordinance takes effect upon final passage and publication as provided by law.