1. Request for CSDCMAC received more than ten (10) business days prior to change of occupant:
2. Request for CSDCMAC received five (5) to nine (9) business days prior to change of occupant:
$100.00 one unit in one (1) structure
$115.00 two (2) units in one (1) structure
$130.00 three (3) units in one (1) structure
$15.00 each additional unit over 3 units in one (1) structure
3. Request for CSDCMAC received four (4) or less business days prior to change of occupant:
$155.00 one unit in one (1) structure
$170.00 two (2) units in one (1) structure
$185.00 three (3) units in one (1) structure
$15.00 each additional unit over 3 units in one (1) structure
ORD 610-2009 SECURITY BOXES.doc 
Knox Box® FAQ
Q. Who is required to install a Knox Box®?
A. Owners of all businesses and multiple family dwellings (buildings containing more than two dwelling units), who do not already have a Knox Box® installed, are required to install and maintain one. Banks and financial institutions are exempt from the requirement.
Q. Why is a key box system necessary?
A. N. J. A. C. 5:70-3,506.1 states: "Where access to or within a structure or an area is restricted because of secured openings or where immediate access is necessary for life-saving or fire-fighting purposes, the fire code official is authorized to require a key box to be installed in an approved location…" The Borough of Avalon is unique in that most businesses and residences are largely seasonally occupied. Residences and businesses are primarily occupied during the summer months with occupancy greatly diminished in the winter. In the interest of property preservation during emergencies, and the safety of the first responders, Avalon has enacted this ordinance, in accordance with state statute, to greatly reduce the need to force entry through locked doors and windows.
Q. Why must the key box be a Knox Box® brand key box instead of another brand?
A. The Borough of Avalon has specified that all emergency access key boxes installed be Knox Box® brand key boxes. The Borough of Avalon emergency response community feels that the Knox Box® brand emergency access key box program, by offering exemplary security features and one-key universal access, is the most fail-safe and secure program available.
Q. I already have a key box system on my property. Why can't I simply supply the Borough with my access code instead of purchasing a Knox Box®?
A. While your current key box system may seem secure and convenient, there is no way for the Borough to ensure that no one may tamper with the keys and/or documents within. Knox Box® offers complete security since only the Avalon Police Department is able to access the key box.
Q. Where can I obtain my Knox Box® key box(es)?
A. Knox Box® key boxes can be ordered online at http://www.knoxbox.com/store/ . Browse the Knox Box® key boxes that are available and choose the box that best fits your needs. Click on the "Online Purchase" link; enter the zip code for Avalon (08202) and click continue. Click on the radio button in front of "Avalon Borough Const Dept - 3100 Dune Drive - Avalon, NJ 08202," and click continue. It is important to make sure that you click on Avalon in this step, because each municipality has a unique Knox Box® key. If you prefer to submit your order on paper via U. S. Postal Service, paper order blanks are available in the Construction Office at Borough Hall (3100 Dune Drive) during regular business hours.
Q. Who is responsible for installing the Knox Box®?
A. Building and unit owners are responsible for installing their Knox Box® key boxes. Simple installation instructions are included with the Knox Box® when it is shipped to you. When installation of the Knox Box® is finished and you have collected all keys for placement, simply call the Avalon Police Department at (609) 967-3411 and request that an officer come and lock the Knox Box®.
Q. I already have a Knox Box® on my building. Do I have to install another one?
A. No, so long as the box on the property is capable of holding all of the keys for all locked areas on the premises, your existing Knox Box® need not be changed. You may call the Avalon Police Department at (609) 967-3411 to come and unlock your existing box so you may check that the keys in your Knox Box® are current and the set is complete.
Q. There are several separate businesses and/or dwelling units in my building, do each of these need their own Knox Box®?
A. No, as long as all of the keys for all locked areas on the premises are in the Knox Box®, you may have a single key box. Please discuss where to locate a shared Knox Box® with the Avalon Police Department and/or the Avalon Construction Office. (Avalon Police Department phone (609) 937-3411; Avalon Construction Office phone (609) 967-4220).
Q. I rent out my apartment or business use. Do I still bear responsibility for ensuring that the keys in the Knox Box® are correct while my property is rented?
A. Responsibility for compliance with any property code requirement always falls to both owner and occupant. This requirement is no different. It may be prudent to include language in your lease documents requiring your tenants to provide keys to the rented spaces if they plan to change the locks on the premises.
Q. My tenants wish to change the locks during the period of their lease. How should this be handled?
A. Tenants should label their keys with a tag that states, "Temporary key(s) for rented period only," before calling the police department and having them placed into the Knox Box®. Only building or unit owners may permanently change the keys in the Knox Box®.
Q. I have an owner's closet in my business or residential unit that is not accessible by my tenants. Do I have to provide keys for that in the Knox Box®?
A. Yes. Keys to all locked portions of the premises are required to be kept in the Knox Box®. Remember, your tenants do not have access to the owners' keys in the Knox Box®.
Q. If I come to Avalon and forget my keys or my keys don't work, may I contact the Avalon Police Department to open the Knox Box® for me so that I may gain access to my property?
A. No, the Knox Box® key box system is designed for emergency services access only and should only be opened in case of a police, fire or life safety emergency and when new keys are being installed.
Q. I own a single or two family home that has an alarm system. I currently have a Knox Box® on my building. Do I have to continue to maintain the Knox Box® with the passage of this new ordinance?
A. Yes, there has been no change in the ordinance that requires a Knox Box® key box be maintained for all buildings that have alarm systems that report to central station. The new Knox Box® ordinance is in addition to previous requirements.
Q. How long do I have to get my Knox Box® and have it installed?
A. According to Ordinance 610-2009, which was passed on March 11, 2009, you will have until August 4, 2009 to complete installation of the Knox Box® security key box.
Q. I have a question that has not been answered here. Where may I go for assistance?
A. Please call Fire Chief Ed Dean at (609) 967-5913, contact the Construction Office at (609) 967-4220, or stop into the Construction Office located in Borough Hall at 3100 Dune Drive during regular business hours.
